2019 Round 4: The Team & Preview

2019 AFL Round 4 COLLINGWOOD v FOOTSCRAY Time & Place: Friday April 12, 7:50pm MCG TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 7 Max 25 Chance of rain 40%: <1mm Wind: NNW 10kph Betting: Collingwood $1.22 Footscray $4.00

B: Brayden Maynard, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe

HB: Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, James Aish

C: Chris Mayne, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips

HF: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Steele Sidebottom

F: Taylor Adams, Brody Mihocek, Jordan De Goey

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar

I/C: Jamie Elliott, Travis Varcoe, Tom Langdon, Jaidyn Stephenson

Emg: Flynn Appleby, Ben Crocker, Levi Greenwood, Callum L. Brown

In: Travis Varcoe
Out: Levi Greenwood (Omitted)

Milestones: Chris Mayne  - Playing 200th game

Collingwood News Travis Varcoe comes into the Pies line-up for Friday night's clash. Collingwood has made one change to its line-up for the round four clash against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night. Travis Varcoe was omitted from the Pies’ round three team, but returns in place of of Levi Greenwood. The addition of the 31-year-old’s speed and defensive skill will provide a necessary connection with the midfield group. Chris Mayne is set to play his 200th AFL game, with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley expressing how integral the wingman is to the team. “The way he carries himself, the professionalism he displays, the care and support he provides his teammates on and off the field is as significant as any player that I've played alongside or coached,” Buckley said. The first bounce is set for 7.50pm, with in excess of 56,000 fans expected to head to the ‘G for round four match. Flynn Appleby, Ben Crocker, Levi Greenwood and Callum Brown have been named as emergencies. Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee) was unavailable for selection.

AFL Preview Round 4 Collingwood v Footscray Last time they met: Docklands Stadium (now Marvel Stadium), round 10, 2018: Collingwood 13.12 (90) defeated Western Bulldogs 8.7 (55) The Dogs scooted to a 26-point lead early in the second term and were still 18 points clear at half-time before the Pies piled on 8.9 to just 0.4 to climb into the eight, and that's where they stayed. Adam Treloar was best-afield with 40 touches and two goals. Former Dog Jordan Roughead will come up against his old team for the first time. Picture: AFL Photos What it means for Collingwood: After being beaten by both Geelong and West Coast, the 1-2 Pies need to regain some equilibrium. How Collingwood wins: The Pies' multi-pronged attack, which features Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox and Jaidyn Stephenson, should prove too hot to handle for the Dogs. Brodie Grundy should also dominate the ruck. The stat: The Pies have won just one of their past four games at the MCG. They have also succumbed to the Dogs in their past two clashes on the hallowed turf. The match-up: Scott Pendlebury v Jack Macrae When Dogs midfielder Macrae (ranked No.19 in the Official AFL Player Ratings) was drafted he was likened to Pies skipper Pendlebury (No.25), whom he has probably gone past in recent times. It's a big week for: Jordan Roughead The Bulldogs' 2016 premiership big man is thriving in his first season at Collingwood, where he is highly valued for his leadership, cool head and flexibility. In his first game against his old club he will match up on one of the Dogs' rising stars in Aaron Naughton or Josh Schache. Big call: The game's shortestplayer, Bulldog Caleb Daniel, to find himself in another unenviable aerial contest in the goalsquare, this time opposed to the game's tallest player, Magpie Mason Cox. Prediction: Magpies by 29 points