Round 18: The Team

Round 18 Collingwood v Melbourne Saturday August 1, 2:10pm MCG Fox Sports 2:00pm Weather: Min 7 Max 12 Chance of rain 60%: <1mm Wind: WSW 18kph Betting: Collingwood $1.30 Melbourne $3.50

B: Tom Langdon, Nathan Brown, Marley Williams
HB: Alan Toovey, Jack Frost, Brayden Maynard
C: Taylor Adams, Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Sam Dwyer, Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey
F: Alex Fasolo, Brodie Grundy, Jamie Elliott
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Jack Crisp, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Levi Greenwood, Travis Varcoe, Paul Seedsman
Emg: Jarryd Blair, Matthew Scharenberg, Jonathon Marsh

IN: Taylor Adams, Sam Dwyer, Jamie Elliott, Paul Seedsman
OUT: Adam Oxley (rested), Jarryd Blair, Ben Kennedy, Jesse White (omitted)

Collingwood News A very different looking Collingwood outfit will take to the field against Melbourne at the MCG this Saturday. The Magpies have made four changes as they attempt to end their five-game losing streak. Jamie Elliott bounces directly back into the senior side after a two-week absence with a back injury, as does Taylor Adams, who sat out the same duration due to suspension. Wingman Paul Seedsman returns after a week in the VFL, while for Sam Dwyer, the match will be mark his first senior game since round six. The quartet replaces three omitted teammates – Jarryd Blair, Jesse White and Ben Kennedy – and Adam Oxley, who has been rested. The loss of Blair, White and Oxley marks a significant change, for they have only missed one senior game between them this year. It is the first time Blair has missed due to omission since round 11, 2011, while White was last omitted just under twelve months ago. White’s absence coupled with Travis Cloke’s calf injury gives Collingwood’s forward line a fresh look. Teenager Darcy Moore will lead the way in the goal square, with support likely to come from big men Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts. The match signifies a welcome return for Dwyer who has been forced to bide his time as an emergency for several weeks. During his nine games in the VFL, Dwyer has averaged 20.0 disposals, 3.8 tackles and 2.4 inside 50s. He was best afield in last week’s win against the Casey Scorpions, collecting 26 disposals (12 contested, 13 uncontested) and laying 10 tackles. Blair remains in the mix as an emergency, as do uncapped defenders Matthew Scharenberg and Jonathon Marsh.