Round 18: The Team

Collingwood v GWS Saturday July 27, 4.40pm MCG 7mate / Fox Footy 4.30pm Weather: Min 6 Max 16 Chance of rain 80%: 1-5mm Wind: N 28kph Betting: Collingwood $1.01 GWS $15.00

B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid
HB: Harry O'Brien, Heath Shaw, Marley Williams
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Luke Ball
HF: Jamie Elliott, Brodie Grundy, Dane Swan
F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Josh Thomas
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Lachlan Keeffe, Ben Sinclair, Sam Dwyer
Emg: Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin, Caolan Mooney

IN: Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Brodie Grundy, Harry O'Brien
OUT: Ben Hudson (calf), Paul Seedsman (calf), Andrew Krakouer, Caolan Mooney (omitted)

NEW: Brodie Grundy (19, Unley/Sturt)

Collingwood News Collingwood has responded to its last start defeat by making four changes to its personnel ahead of Saturday’s clash against the GWS Giants at the MCG. Highlighted by the return of Harry O’Brien following a three-week absence, the Magpies will also be bolstered by the inclusion of Jarryd Blair and Nathan Brown from injury enforced lay-offs, while highly-rated rookie Brodie Grundy will feature for the first time at senior level. The eighth player to make his senior bow in Black and White this season, Grundy’s selection elevates Collingwood to top of the AFL for debutants fielded in 2013, a remarkable feat given the Magpies remain firmly placed to feature in September for the eighth successive season. Overcoming a back complaint which derailed his pre-season training, and threatened to curb his season, Grundy has fast adapted to the rigours of VFL football, revelling in his responsibility as number one ruckman over the last fortnight as Ben Hudson and Jarrod Witts found themselves called up to the senior side. Renowned for his athletic prowess, Grundy’s aggression and ferocious attack at the ball has seen the South Australian demonstrated glimpses of the quality which prompted his selection at pick 18 in the 2012 National Draft. While Collingwood’s top four ambitions were dealt a blow against the fast rising Gold Coast Suns last weekend, coach Nathan Buckley and his charges will be keen to make immediate amends, and consolidate a finals berth on Saturday. And in the form of additional inclusions Blair, Brown and O’Brien, it would appear Collingwood is well equipped to do so, their respective introductions poised to aid the Magpie cause as the home and away season approaches its final stanza. While Collingwood will be expected to emerge triumphant against the still green Giants, their crop of fledgling stars are certainly capable of rousing concern, particularly in front of a crowd expected to be the biggest audience in GWS’ short history. Youngsters Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin and Caolan Mooney have been listed as emergencies for the match, while Andrew Krakouer (omitted), Ben Hudson (calf) and Paul Seedsman (calf) are the absentees.