Round 2: The Team

Collingwood v Swans Saturday March 29, 7.40pm ANZ Fox Footy / 7mate 7.30pm Weather: Min 20 Max 27 Chance of rain 60%: 1-5mm Wind: SE 22kph Betting: Collingwood $2.80 Swans $1.44

B: Alan Toovey, Jack Frost, Nick Maxwell
HB: Heritier Lumumba, Nathan Brown, Ben Sinclair
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Clinton Young
HF: Taylor Adams, Travis Cloke, Brent Macaffer
F: Jarrod Witts, Jesse White, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Luke Ball, Jamie Elliott, Tom Langdon
Emg: Sam Dwyer, Ben Kennedy, Lachlan Keeffe

IN: Jarryd Blair, Jesse White
OUT: Marty Clarke, Ben Kennedy

Collingwood News Collingwood has received massive boost on the eve of round two with key recruit Jesse White named to face Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. The former Swan is one of two inclusions to a Magpie side which suffered a heavy 70-point defeat to Fremantle a fortnight ago, with Jarryd Blair’s making a swift return to senior action after suffering a toe injury during the final weeks of pre-season. White was identified as a primary target for Collingwood over last year’s trade period, his versatility and athleticism marking him as an ideal foil to spearhead Travis Cloke in the Magpie forward line. Ultimately arriving at the Westpac Centre in exchange for pick No. 44 in the 2013 National Draft, White’s form over the summer suggested he is well placed to deliver on his promise, producing a star turn in Collingwood’s two-point loss to Geelong at Skilled Stadium in February. Booting five goals, White proved a revelation, his dynamic presence causing angst among the Cats defenders as he commanded significant attention whether in the air or in drawing upon his considerable speed. Given Collingwood’s goal kicking woes against the Dockers, White’s welcome return provides a much needed cutting edge to the Magpies side, offering an alternative tall marking option inside the attacking 50. Following an impressive performance with Collingwood’s VFL side last weekend, Blair’s return is poised to inject added steel to the Magpie forward line and on-ball unit, with the diminutive utility renowned for his defensive prowess and trademark strength at stoppages. However, it may prove on the scoreboard where Blair proves most damaging, with his creativity and innate goal sense perhaps providing a tonic after Collingwood appeared rather ineffectual in attack last week. Blair and White’s selection sees Martin Clarke and Ben Kennedy omitted from the side, with the former set to feature in the VFL, while the latter joins Lachlan Keeffe and Sam Dwyer as emergencies.