2014 NAB Challenge Round 1: Collingwood v Geelong

Collingwood News

Collingwood v Geelong Wednesday Feb 12, 7.10pm Simonds Stadium Fox Footy 7.00pm Weather: Min 16 Max 31 Chance of rain 30%: 1-5mm Wind: S 18kph Betting: Collingwood $2.45 Geelong $1.53

Collingwood's band of new recruits will be in the spotlight when they line up to face Geelong in the opening clash of the NAB Challenge at Simonds Stadium on Wednesday night.
Midfielder Taylor Adams, defender Tony Armstrong, forward Jesse White and draftees Nathan Freeman, Tom Langdon and Jonathon Marsh have been named in a 26 man squad poised to tackle the Cats as the sides usher the arrival of the 2014 pre-season campaign.
The off-season arrivals will be joined by two further fresh additions to the senior team, with Tim Broomhead and Jackson Ramsay poised to feature in a competitive AFL fixture for the first time since being drafted in 2012.
Having rejuvenated its list with an influx of exciting, emerging talent during the trade and draft periods late last year, the team named to take on Geelong represents the changing face of the Collingwood, with the club entering the campaign boasting the sixth youngest, yet seventh most experienced list in the AFL.
That figure bodes well for the future as Collingwood seeks to extend the longest active finals streak in the AFL, which currently stands at eight consecutive appearances.
Although the team named to face Geelong will undoubtedly provide a portent of what lies on the horizon in the seasons to come, the strength of the side named, in spite of the absence of a host of established stars, highlights the significant reserves of on-field talent accrued at the Westpac Centre.
Indeed, a combination of injury and squad rotation has conspired to see senior team regulars Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Sam Dwyer, Ben Reid, Paul Seedsman, Dane Swan, Josh Thomas and Alan Toovey unavailable for selection.

The Team
1. Alex Fasolo 3. Brent Macaffer 4. Brodie Grundy 5. Nick Maxwell 7. Ben Kennedy 8. Heritier Lumumba 9. Marty Clarke 10. Scott Pendlebury 12. Luke Ball 13. Taylor Adams 14. Clinton Young 17. Dayne Beams 18. Jesse White 19. Jamie Elliott 21. Quinten Lynch	22. Steele Sidebottom 23. Lachlan Keeffe 25. Ben Hudson 26. Marley Williams 27. Tony Armstrong 29. Tim Broomhead 31. Jackson Ramsay 32. Travis Cloke 38. Peter Yagmoor 39. Nathan Freeman 41. Tom Langdon 45. Jack Frost 46. Jonathon Marsh 48. Caolan Mooney

New Faces
13. Taylor Adams A big-bodied midfielder who landed at Collingwood as part of the deal that saw Heath Shaw become a Giant. Was drafted at No. 13 in the 2011 National Draft and has already impressed with his attitude and love of winning the contested ball.	18. Jesse White After a strong finish to the season with Sydney, White crossed to the Westpac Centre after being identified by the Magpies as a man who can give Travis Cloke and Quinten Lynch a helping hand up forward as well as assisting young ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts when the time comes.
27. Tony Armstrong Now at his third club, Armstrong, a hard running defender with nice foot skills, will be looking to stake an early claim for a spot in Collingwood's back six come round one.	29. Tim Broomhead Put in some eye-catching showings for Collingwood's VFL side to the point where he was named as a senior emergency midway through last season. Glandular fever derailed his 2013 pre-season but the No. 20 selection in the 2012 National Draft is set to make an early impact in his second year on the list.
31. Jackson Ramsay A professional and dedicated West Australian who was the second youngest player in the league last season. Was hampered by injury early in 2013 but came home with a rush, impressing with his discipline and attack on the ball at half back.	39. Nathan Freeman With his pace and endurance, it's easy to see why he was the 10th selection in last November's National Draft. Has been impressive on the training track in his first months as a Magpie and in time could end up at half back or on the wing.
41. Tom Langdon Has prior experience in playing senior football, having spent time as a top-up player for VFL club Sandringham last season. A rangy utility who appears best suited to playing in defence, Langdon was one of the most prolific players in last Saturday's intra-club practice match.	46. Jonathon Marsh His highlights package excited recruiters and supporters last November. From fend offs to long runs that ended in goals, it had it all. Marsh, an explosively quick West Australian who stands 193cm, became a Magpie with the 77th selection in last year's National Draft.