AFL 2019 Pre-Season Game 1 Team

AFL 2019 Pre Season Game 1 Collingwood v Fremantle Time & Place: Monday, March 4, 6:40pm EDT Joondalup Arena, WA TV: Fox Footy 6:30pm EDT Weather: Min 21 Max 31 Chance of rain 20% < 1mm Wind: SW 13kph

B: J. Aish 14, J. Roughead 23, T. Langdon 8

HB: N. Murphy 28, D. Moore 30, J. Crisp 25

C: T. Phillips 21, R. Wills 33, S. Sidebottom 22

HF: J. Stephenson 1, J. Elliott 5, C. Brown 17

F: T. Varcoe 18, B. Mihocek 41, J. Daicos 26

Foll: B. Grundy 4, S. Pendlebury 10, D. Beams 11

I/C: I. Quaynor 35, L. Greenwood 19, J. Thomas 24, B. Reid 20, T. Brown 34, B. Crocker 39, F. Appleby 31, C. Mayne 16

Emerg: M. Cox 46, M. Lynch 45, A. Treloar 7, J. Madgen 44

Notable absentees: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Daniel Wells, Taylor Adams

Collingwood News Pendlebury to captain the Pies in 2019 Scott Pendlebury will captain the Collingwood AFL team for a sixth season in 2019. The five-time Copeland Trophy winner, who succeeded Nick Maxwell as skipper in 2014, is currently the third longest serving captain in Collingwood history. The Collingwood board ratified Pendlebury’s re-appointment at its meeting on Wednesday, along with the re-appointment of Steele Sidebottom as vice-captain. The Collingwood AFL leadership group for 2019 will consist of Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe and Lynden Dunn. History is beckoning Pendlebury in 2019. The 31 year-old has ahead of him the prospect of becoming only the third Collingwood player to reach the 300-game milestone and is set to move into outright third on the all-time Collingwood games record list. Pendlebury has played 277 matches for the Magpies, which puts him behind only Tony Shaw (313 matches) and Gordon Coventry (306). He is currently equal third on the list with Wayne Richardson. “It was an honour to captain Collingwood six years ago. It is still a great honour to captain Collingwood and will always be an honour,” Pendlebury said. “Leadership isn’t an individual responsibility in team sport, though. It has to be a collective strength. A whole of squad mentality. “Which is why we need not only Steele, ‘Tay’, ‘Howey’, ‘Dunny’ and myself taking charge but everyone who pulls on the jumper. If we have that underlying strength we won’t be an easy proposition for anyone.” Buckley accepts a two-year contract extension Collingwood senior coach Nathan Buckley has accepted a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at the helm of the AFL team until at least the end of 2021. Buckley was contracted for 2019 but club and coach were keen for a further commitment that will see his tenure as senior coach reach at least a decade. Buckley led Collingwood to the 2018 grand final, and in earlier seasons a preliminary final and elimination final. He has a career coaching record with Collingwood of 87 wins, 74 losses and one draw. He is currently the sixth longest serving coach in Collingwood history, behind Jock McHale (714 matches), his predecessor Michael Malthouse (286), Phonse Kyne (272), Leigh Matthews (224) and Bob Rose (193). The faith in the new deal, though, is as much about leadership and recognition of cultural change as it is about his win-loss record. “ ‘Bucks’ is an excellent coach and an outstanding Collingwood person who has always been club first,” said president, Eddie McGuire. “In a way, seven seasons in, it feels as if the journey has just begun. We have always seen many qualities in ‘Bucks’, which is why we appointed him in the first place and re-appointed him back in 2017. Through the review process of that year those qualities shone through. “We see an exciting future with him very much at the heart of it all.” Collingwood chief executive, Mark Anderson, added: “The two year extension reinforces the on-field progress and results that our team have achieved but also recognises the key leadership role Nathan has played in developing our culture and the deep connections that he has developed within the team and across our club. “As deep as the disappointment of our grand final defeat was for all, our fans felt immensely proud of ‘Bucks’, of the players and of the manner in which the football club carried itself through the season. “No one is satisfied with our results from last year and we are very aware that we start level with all teams come round one. But our plan is to build a team and club where our performance is strong and sustained. Nathan is certainly vital to us realising that objective.” Buckley said he was pleased to be able to continue to share in the challenge of ensuring  Collingwood – team and club -  remain strong and proud. “Sport evolves constantly. So must we,” Buckley said. “It is a personal and professional privilege to be sharing in and, to a degree, shaping the evolution of a club that is very close to my heart. “I thank Eddie, Mark and the hierarchy for their faith.”

2019 AFL Pre Season Draw

2019 PRE SEASON DRAW
Game One Fremantle v Collingwood Monday March 4 Joondalup Arena 6:40pm EDT Fox Footy 6:30pm EDT	Game Two Collingwood v Carlton Monday March 11 Morwell Recreation Reserve 2:10pm EDT Fox Footy 2:00pm EDT

The 2019 pre-season competition will feature 18 matches across two weekends. For the sixth successive year, the competition will not have a grand final or overall winner. All matches will be televised live on Fox Footy.

AFL 2018 Pre-Season Game 2 Squad

AFL 2018 Pre Season Game 2 Collingwood v Footscray Time & Place: Saturday, March 10, 1:05pm EDT Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe TV: Fox Footy 1:00pm EDT Weather: Min 12 Max 23 Chance of rain: 5% < 1mm Wind: WSW 16kph Betting: Collingwood $2.25 Footscray $1.65

B: Lynden Dunn, Darcy Moore, Tom Langdon

HB: Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe, Jack Crisp

C: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom

HF: Josh Smith, Ben Reid, Callum Brown

F: Tom Phillips, Tyson Goldsack, Mason Cox

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Josh Thomas

Int (from): Sam Murray, Jarryd Blair, Travis Varcoe, Josh Daicos, Jaidyn Stephenson, Brayden Maynard, Ben Crocker, Brody Mihocek

NEW: Sam Murray (20, Sydney)

Collingwood News Treloar. Howe. Moore. Three of Collingwood’s biggest names will return from injury when the Magpies take on the Western Bulldogs in Moe this Saturday. The trio is part of six additions to Collingwood’s squad, with Jarryd Blair and Sam Murray also in line to play their first games of the new year. Howe (calf) and Moore (Achillies) made their return from injury in last week’s VFL intra-club match and passed the test without issue. Blair and Murray, meanwhile, performed well and have put their hands up for a senior birth. Murray, 20, was received via a trade from the Sydney Swans last October. He has not yet played senior football, but made the NEAFL Team of the Year as a running defender in 2017. The match against the Bulldogs represents the Magpies’ final tune up before the home and away season begins. They recorded a 60-point loss to Greater Western Sydney last Thursday, while the Bulldogs triumphed over Hawthorn by 22 points in Ballarat on Saturday.

AFL 2018 Pre-Season Game 1 Squad Named

AFL 2018 Pre Season Game 1 Collingwood v GWS Time & Place: Thursday, March 1, 7:10pm EDT Manuka Oval, Canberra TV: Fox Footy 7:00pm EDT Weather: Min 12 Max 29 Chance of rain 5% < 1mm Wind: NE 14kph

B: Lynden Dunn, Brody Mihocek, Flynn Appleby

HB: Jack Crisp, Adam Oxley, Tom Langdon

C: Josh Smith, Taylor Adams, James Aish

HF: Travis Varcoe, Chris Mayne, Tim Broomhead

F: Callum Brown, Mason Cox, Brayden Maynard

Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom

Int (from): Jarryd Blair, Ben Crocker, Josh Daicos, Tyson Goldsack, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Sam McLarty, Sam Murray, Tom Phillips, Ben Reid, Matthew Scharenberg, Jaidyn Stephenson, Josh Thomas

NEW: Flynn Appleby (19, Greater Western Victoria U18), Brody Mihocek (25, Port Melbourne), Sam Murray (20, Sydney), Jaidyn Stephenson (19, Eastern U18)

Collingwood News Collingwood’s first AFL team sheet for the year includes a mix of existing stars and exciting young recruits. Captain Scott Pendlebury will travel to Canberra to face the GWS Giants on Thursday, but is joined by first-timers Jaidyn Stephenson, Sam Murray, Brody Mihocek and Flynn Appleby. Pendlebury’s inclusion marks his first game in Black and White since a finger injury prematurely ended his 2017 season in round 17. The skipper is fully fit, and was impressive in Collingwood’s intra-club clash last Thursday evening. For 12 Magpies included in the travelling party, a clash with the Giants will be the second experience facing serious opposition after taking part in AFLX a fortnight ago in Adelaide. Brayden Maynard and Steele Sidebottom led the Magpies to a win over West Coast and loss to Adelaide in the 20-minute format, and are both expected to take on the Giants in a moretraditional sense at UNSW Canberra Oval. The recent round robin also introduced the AFL world to 2017 No.6 draft pick Stephenson. Aflashy forward / midfielder, the 19-year-old will have another chance to impress as he strives for early season selection. Collingwood’s previous owner of the No. 35 guernsey – Sam McLarty has been named, alongside rookie defenders Appleby and Mihocek. As expected in pre-season games, there are a number of notable absentees. Adam Treloar will sit out the clash against his former side, while Jeremy Howe, Jamie Elliott, Alex Fasolo and Darcy Moore edge closer to a return to action. The Magpies will have an eight-day break between Thursday’s clash with the Giants and a JLT Week Three game against the Western Bulldogs in Moe.

2018 AFL Pre Season Draw

2018 PRE SEASON DRAW
Game One GWS v Collingwood Thursday March 1 Manuka Oval, 7:10pm	Game Two Collingwood v Footscray Saturday 10 March Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe, 1:05pm

The 2018 pre-season competition will feature 18 matches across 16 days, reducing each team's games played from three to two. All matches will be televised live on Fox Footy.

AFL Pre Season Game 3: Collingwood 114 Richmond 107

THE FACTS

Round 1 COLLINGWOOD v FOOTSCRAY Time, Place, TV: Friday March 24, 7:50PM EDT MCG 7mate/Fox Footy 7:30pm Betting: Collingwood $3.25 Footscray $1.33

COLLINGWOOD  1.6.7.52  1.8.11.68  1.15.15.114  1.15.15.114
RICHMOND         0.2.2.14   0.6.5.41      0.11.7.73  0.16.11.107

SUPER GOALS - Collingwood: Treloar

GOALS - Collingwood: Moore 3, White 3, Fasolo 2, Mayne 2, Cox, Grundy, Treloar, Smith, Phillips

BEST - Collingwood: Treloar, Reid, Adams, Sidebottom, Crisp, Grundy, Smith

INJURIES - Collingwood: Adams (cut chin), Pendlebury (Achilles tightness) late withdrawal

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD: 5,701 at Summerton Reserve, Moe

THE MEDIA

AFL BEN REID has underlined his importance to Collingwood's fortunes in 2017 with a commanding display as the Magpies outlasted Richmond by seven points in their JLT Community Series clash in Moe on Saturday. Reid was in splendid touch, collecting 26 disposals and 18 marks (three contested) to stamp himself as the Magpies' best player alongside gun midfielder Adam Treloar in the 1.15.15 (114) to 0.16.11 (107) victory. On the comeback trail from off-season knee surgery, Reid has patiently built up his workload, even suiting up in a VFL practice match in February, to ensure his availability for round one. With skipper Scott Pendlebury a late withdrawal due to Achilles tightness, Treloar picked up the slack and led the way beautifully in a best-on-ground performance. Treloar got rolling from the outset, kicking a goal and a supergoal in the first quarter and finished his day with 29 disposals. Young Pie Tom Phillips did his chances of a round one appearance no harm with another fine pre-season performance, the endurance king picking up 24 disposals. Jackson Ramsay, returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in April last year, was also busy in defence with 28 disposals. The Magpies were in control from the get-go, leading at every change and they often looked like they would charge away to a dominant victory. But star Tiger Dustin Martin (26 disposals, six clearances and three goals), following a week where his contract discussions dominated the headlines, lifted in the latter part of third term after the Magpies booted four goals in the space of 12 minutes to start the quarter. Despite Collingwood's early dominance, the Tigers cut the margin to just seven points at the final siren as the Magpies ran out of steam. "We did throw it around and tried a few things in the last 40 minutes," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said. "There's no doubt that we felt the (effects) of the longer game, with the cap rotations, so fatigue kicked in a little bit. "We weren't as clean late but when the game was up for grabs early we were happy with our ability to put heat on Richmond and then use the ball cleanly to get out of that." Although he had just 12 disposals for the afternoon, rookie Tiger Mabior Chol showed flashes of his potential while oft-injured midfielder Reece Conca had 24 touches. A late ankle injury to Jack Riewoldt, who was reported for rough conduct earlier in the game, caused some concerns but the spearhead, who booted two goals, appeared to be walking freely when he shook hands with the opposition after the siren. Collingwood still has to fit Daniel Wells, Jamie Elliott, Tom Langdon, Jordan De Goey, Levi Greenwood and skipper Pendlebury back into its best 22 as competition for spots heats up. The Tigers were without Ben Lennon and Corey Ellis, and after a dismal start coach Damien Hardwick would have been content with their fightback and increased pressure around the footy. "We started poorly. The first quarter was not something we want to replicate going forward but then three quarters after that made for a pretty even contest," Hardwick said. "The disappointing thing was the way we started. Collingwood got the better of us around the scrimmages and played the ball in their half. We'll have a look at it and see if we can rectify it." What we learned Collingwood: Collingwood has a number of selection dilemmas ahead of round one. Scott Pendlebury (Achilles), Levi Greenwood (hamstring), Jordan De Goey (quad) and maybe Jamie Elliott (ankle) will be looking to force their way back into the side for the opening round clash against the Western Bulldogs. Rookies Henry Schade and Mason Cox both look on the cusp of being elevated to the senior list, one in place of the injured Ben Sinclair, after excellent performances over the pre-season. If all of Pendlebury, Greenwood, De Goey and Elliott are fit, that means four players need to drop out. Some tough decisions await Nathan Buckley and his match committee. New faces Collingwood: Ex-Docker Chris Mayne got his confidence levels up early with a goal in the opening term, and he finished the day with two majors and 13 touches in his best performance for his new club. Henry Schade, formerly of Gold Coast, was solid in defence and has put himself in line for an early-season debut in his new colours. Schade appears to be ahead of Lynden Dunn in the race of the second tall defender spot, with the former Demon only featuring in the second half. Will Hoskin-Elliott should be a certain starter in the Magpies' round one team, with his athleticism and versatility adding a point of difference. Next up With the JLT Community Series done and dusted, round one of the 2017 season beckons. The Magpies open their home and away season against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on March 24.

REAL FOOTY Daniel Wells has hogged the headlines, Chris Mayne has been a regular talking point, Jamie Elliott's name has been on plenty of lips and the very presence of Josh Daicos has had the romantics dreaming. But if there is one player Collingwood desperately need fit and firing, it is Ben Reid. The departures of Nathan Brown, Jack Frost and to a lesser extent, Jonathon Marsh, left the Magpies short on tall defenders. The additions of Lynden Dunn and Henry Schade helped fill the void, but Reid is a class - if not more - above that pair. His start to the pre-season had been delayed due to knee surgery, and given his history of injuries Pies faithful would have been forgiven for not believing he'd be right for round one until they saw him playing. On the evidence presented on Saturday at Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, the black and white devotees can breathe a sigh of relief. Reid wasn't far off his commanding best, repeatedly mopping up the Tigers' forward thrusts, and providing ample abundant drive from defence. His 26 disposals and 18 marks was the highlight of a strong performance from the Pies, well-timed given their round one opener against the Western Bulldogs is only 13 days away. Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said Reid still had plenty to improve on though. "He's still got a way to go," Buckley said. "Especially late. Some of his decisions weren't quite what we were looking for but he got a lot of the ball and it was great for him to get through so that was really positive." Collingwood's win should be made even more pleasing for Buckley and his assistants because of the list of absentees. With Wells, Elliott, Jordan De Goey and Levi Greenwood already sidelined, the Pies team was made considerably weaker by dint of captain Scott Pendlebury's late withdrawal because of Achilles soreness, which Buckley assured was precautionary. So that a clearly depleted Collingwood comfortably beat an arguably full-strength Tigers outfit was a little worrying for Richmond, who had posted impressive wins in their first two JLT Community series matches. The Tigers' concerns should not however include the report of Jack Riewoldt, even though the dual Coleman medallist had his number taken in the second quarter for making rough conduct to Pies backman Jackson Ramsay, who played out the game after copping a relatively late bump to his midriff from the Tiger during a marking contest. There was some late concern for Riewoldt though after he landed awkwardly in a marking contest in the game's dying minutes, although coach Damien Hardwick said the veteran was fine. Riewoldt had arrived late to that earlier contest with Ramsay, and it was fitting given Richmond's sluggish start to their final pre-season hitout. With the Tigers laying just five first quarter tackles, Collingwood dominated possession in the first term, and shot out to a 38-point quarter time lead on the back of slick ball movement from defence. In Pendlebury's absence, his usual midfield partner Adam Treloar again reminded Richmond what they had missed out on when they lost the race to his services in 2015, with two first term majors including an early nine-pointer. Richmond lifted considerably in the second term, cutting the margin to 27 points at half-time, but were unable to maintain that standard as the the Pies kicked out to a 46-point lead late in the third quarter. The Tigers had a late flurry but despite briefly threatening were never closer than seven points in arrears after kicking the last three goals of the game. Treloar's fine form continued for most of the day, and he had plenty of company for the winners. Having missed most of last year with a knee injury Ramsay looks a walk-up start for round one after a polished showing, while Tom Phillips rounded out an excellent pre-season with another busy day. Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis had enjoyed a terrific start to his time at Punt Road but was shown a gulf remains between he and the AFL's best big men by Collingwood's Brodie Grundy.

AFL Pre Season Game 2: Fremantle 87 Collingwood 85

THE FACTS

AFL Pre Season Collingwood Game 3 COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND Time & Place: Saturday March 11, 1:10pm EDT Summerton Reserve, Moe

FREMANTLE        0.3.4.22   1.3.7.34   1.9.10.73   1.11.12.87
COLLINGWOOD   0.3.1.19   0.7.4.46     0.9.4.58    1.12.4.85

SUPER GOALS - Collingwood: Howe

GOALS - Collingwood: Cox 3, Fasolo 2, Moore, Phillips, White, Treloar, Varcoe, Greenwood, Adams

BEST - Collingwood: Howe, Adams, Cox, Grundy, Treloar, Phillips

INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

THE MEDIA

AFL FREMANTLE young gun Ed Langdon booted a goal after the siren to hand the vastly improved Dockers a two-point JLT Community Series triumph over Collingwood in Mandurah on Saturday. The 21-year-old marked in the dying seconds and, from about 40m out on a 45-degree angle, drilled the match-winning major and was swamped by his teammates as they ran out 1.11.12 (87) to 1.12.4 (85) winners at Rushton Park. It was a morale-boosting performance for the Dockers after last week's rusty first-up showing against West Coast, but there was also plenty to like for the Pies as they fought back from 15 points down at the final change in 37-degree heat. Importantly, star Freo ruckman Aaron Sandilands and reigning Doig medallist Lachie Neale both got through unscathed in their comebacks from injury in energy-sapping conditions. Sandilands, returning from a calf strain, was instrumental as Freo's engine room bounced back from the Eagles loss. The 34-year-old finished with 15 touches, 20 hit-outs and a goal, proving that yet again he holds a key to the Dockers' fortunes this season after missing most of last year through injury. Neale (18 touches) worked into the game coming back from three bouts of surgery. Meanwhile, back-up ruckman Jonathon Griffin (two goals) made the most of his opportunity in a hard-fought battle with Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox. "I thought you could see how important Aaron is to us, and Lachie Neale and our mids capitalised," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said. "They were against pretty competitive ruckmen today. (Brodie) Grundy's an enormous talent. "So for (Sandilands') first hit-out it was a credit to him. I thought with Jon Griffin that's as strong as we've looked in combination for a while." The Dockers ratcheted up their intensity after the loss to the Eagles and - led by recruit Bradley Hill's (one supergoal, one goal) precise kicking and line-breaking run - were much slicker as they took a three-point lead into quarter-time. Freo should have been further ahead after controlling possession (83-68), clearances (9-4) and inside 50s (14-8). But Collingwood's ability to absorb pressure and counter-attack was impressive and the Pies made the most of a slight breeze to hit the front by two goals at the long break. American giant Cox provided a focal point in attack and the Pies' fleet of runners swung the momentum back the visitors' way. "(Cox) was off the pace early, his contest and work rate wasn't where we needed it to be, but I thought that was a real step forward for him to be able to respond to that and to be a pretty significant forward target," Pies coach Nathan Buckley said. "He's actually had a really strong pre-season … even if he's not marking them he's putting defenders under pressure." In their first hit-outs of the pre-season, Collingwood stars Scott Pendlebury, skipper for the day Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar all had their moments as they blew out some cobwebs. Youngster Tom Phillips (14 disposals) impressed with his dash, while Adams (21) was his typical busy self at the coalface. Jeremy Howe was also superb for the Magpies, finishing with 24 touches and a supergoal to level scores at 73-all in the final term. The Dockers appeared far more in tune in their second pre-season hit-out, and recruits Hill, Cam McCarthy and Joel Hamling showed encouraging signs. McCarthy impressed with his workrate and snapped his first goal in purple in the opening term, while ex-Western Bulldogs premiership defender Hamling's intercept marking was a feature. However, former Cats forward Shane Kersten had a tough day with just four touches before he was crunched in a marking contest on the half-time siren and taken to hospital for X-rays on his ribs. What we learned Collingwood: For a player entering only his third AFL season, Darcy Moore is carrying a weight of expectation as the Magpies' focal point in 2017. However, the three-goal performance of Mason Cox against Freo was a promising sign that Moore might have more support than expected. Cox only took two marks, but his presence drew the ball and defenders to him, and the giant American could ease the pressure on Moore if he continues his rapid development. New faces Collingwood: Chris Mayne had little impact against his former side, gathering just five touches, but forward sidekick Josh Daicos was lively with his pressure and showed his class in the opening term with a one-handed take and dish to set up Tom Phillips' goal. Will Hoskin-Elliott and Henry Schade flew under the radar, but ex-Melbourne defender Lynden Dunn battled hard – playing mostly on McCarthy – against a flood of supply. Next up The Pies hit the road for their final JLT clash in Moe against Richmond on Saturday.

SUPERFOOTY COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says the Magpies need to address centre-bounce issues and turning the ball over in the backline after they lost a thriller against Fremantle on Saturday. An efficient Collingwood led by three goals during the third term and remained in the contest throughout despite copping a thrashing in the centre clearance (21-6) and inside 50 (48-32) counts. The Pies lost after Dockers youngster Ed Langdon kicked a goal after the final siren to seal a two-point win. Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury played his first game for the year against the Dockers. Picture: Getty "There was things to like and things to work on. Centre-bounce was clearly an issue and, although we weren't scored against from it, it does out your back six under a fair bit of pressure having to redeem the ball and then move it forward," Buckley said. "And we gave up too many turnovers in our back half. So we were clearly scored against mostly from back-half turnovers and that's been two weeks in a row now. So it's something we've got to continue to work on to make sure that we're not coughing the ball up to the opposition in areas that are pretty hard to defend. "We actually scored from over half our entries, we didn't have that many. We looked pretty dangerous when we got in that front half." American Mason Cox's performance was a positive, finishing with 3.2 from 11 disposals and five marks to outshine Darcy Moore (one goal) in attack. "He responded well, Mason. He was off the pace early, the work rate wasn't where we needed it to be," Buckley said. "But I thought that was a real step forward for him. To be able to respond to that and be a pretty significant forward target for our entries. "He's actually had a really strong pre-season. His marking's strong. Even if he's not marking them, he's putting the defenders under a fair bit of pressure and he got some free kicks. That's going to happen if you keep trying to win the ball at the highest point. "He's still learning the game and there's still massive areas of growth for him. If he continues to bring the right attitude he could still be anything for us. If he's hitting the scoreboard and giving us a little bit in the ruck, then clearly he's putting his best foot forward." Buckley said Jamie Elliott and Josh Smith might be ready to return to face Richmond in the side's final JLT Community Series hitout on Saturday. He conceded the clock was ticking for Daniel Wells, but said the veteran recruit still had "a little bit of work to do to get right to play". "We're not doing him any favours if we push him out before he's ready to go, whether it's the body standing up to injury or whether it's the workload and getting the right amount of kilometres in his legs to be ready to play the way he wants to play," Buckley said. "The clock's ticking. We're three weeks away from round one, but we also won't be forcing him in before he's ready."

AFL Pre Season Game 1: Collingwood 105 Essendon 94

THE FACTS

COLLINGWOOD   0.3.0.18    0.5.4.34     0.9.4.58   2.13.9.105

AFL Pre Season Collingwood Game 2 COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday March 4, 1:40pm WST Rushton Park, Mandurah

ESSENDON         0.2.2.14    0.6.5.41    0.12.9.81   0.14.10.94

SUPER GOALS - Collingwood: Dunn, Varcoe

GOALS - Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott 2, Crisp 2, De Goey 2, White, Varcoe, Phillips, Moore, Mayne, Elliott, Aish

BEST - Collingwood: Phillips, De Goey, Smith, Sidebottom, Greenwood, Ramsay

INJURIES - Collingwood: Sinclair (hamstring)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD: 16,521 at Etihad Stadium

Collingwood News Returning stars, prized new recruits and a bevy of new faces awaited eager Essendon supporters on Thursday night as the freshest iteration of the red and black team lined up for the first time. And Bombers fans would have left Etihad Stadium pleased with what they saw on every front – well, that was at least until Collingwood's barnstorming finish ruined what looked like being a perfect night for the Dons as they enter their new era. That the Bombers gave up a 27-point lead in the third quarter to be defeated by 11 points at the hands of Collingwood in the opening JLT Community Series match on Thursday night was not the most significant takeaway from the game. Nor would it have been had the Bombers held on, with both sides missing important players. Within the 2.13.9 (105) to 0.14.10 (94) win for Collingwood was a number of more telling storylines for both clubs – one aiming to get back into the finals for the first time after a poor year in 2016 and the other aiming to lift itself off the bottom of the ladder. The losers were the centre of attention, and for obvious reasons. For one, there was the six (midfielder Heath Hocking did not make the final squad) Bombers who played their first games after serving anti-doping bans last year – a comeback that finally puts a full stop on football's longest and worst saga. Jobe Watson, perhaps the face of the scandal over the past four years, took no time to get involved with the first kick of the game and opening two centre clearances. The former skipper was also given a rapturous reception when he lined up for goal in the second term (a moment that would have drawn an even bigger cheer had his shot not sailed wide). Of the other returning Dons, new skipper Dyson Heppell (17 disposals) was his busy self, Travis Colyer kicked two goals in a lively showing up forward, and Michael Hurley was composed across half-back. Ben Howlett also hit the scoreboard, while David Myers didn't really get into the game until the third term after spending most of the first half on the bench. The Pies, though, had their own comeback stories to tell, which made their impressive fourth-quarter fightback (which included two supergoals and four regular majors) all the more encouraging. Jamie Elliott did not get much of the ball – he finished with eight disposals and a goal in a half – but proved his importance to the Pies' hopes this season. After not playing a game last year due to a debilitating back injury, the star small forward showed glimpses of his ability with a high-flying grab early on and his presence will be important if the Magpies are to return to the finals. Lachlan Keeffe, returning after his own anti-doping ban, was solid as a forward and pinch-hitting ruckman, while Matt Scharenberg, after his well-publicised knee struggles, was quiet but looked comfortable for the Pies. After a scrappy first half, the Pies looked set to drop their opening pre-season encounter when they trailed by 21 points at the final change, but two supergoals early in the last term – to former Demons defender Lynden Dunn and ex-Cat Travis Varcoe – sprung them into action and they overrun the Bombers. The last-quarter lift came from a young midfield group that was without skipper Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams for the night. Tom Phillips was in everything early – he had 15 disposals to half-time in an effort to razz his teammates into action – and he finished as the Pies' leading possession winner. But just as positively, it was Jordan De Goey's two-goal last term that all but iced the win for the Pies. On Thursday night's evidence, both will be important in shaping the Pies' fortunes this season. What we learned - Collingwood The Pies have some impressive youth, but they will be relied upon plenty this year. In the midfield Jordan De Goey and Tom Phillips went well against Essendon, and Brayden Maynard is a powerful unit wherever he goes. James Aish is still only about to head into his fourth season, while Darcy Moore will enter his third. Moore, in particular, will have plenty of pressure on him this season to be the Pies' main man in attack and he was quiet against the Dons. But his athleticism and marking ability will make him a constant danger, and he is one of a group of young Pies who will get valuable experience in 2017 as they attempt to push up the ladder. New faces - Collingwood The Pies' free agent signing, Chris Mayne, played in attack but was largely quiet aside from a third-quarter goal. Former Giant Will Hoskin-Elliott's run and carry showed he should be able to bring something different to the club this season. There have been questions on who will hold down the Pies' key position posts in defence this season, but the addition of former Gold Coast backman Henry Schade added some size and strength there against the Dons. Father-son pick-up Josh Daicos spent the first half on the bench before being introduced to the game in the third quarter. He finished with seven touches playing across half-forward. Former Demon Lynden Dunn will add some stability to the back half and highlighted his long kick with a vital supergoal as well. Next up - Collingwood Collingwood has a big break between games, having more than two weeks off before traveling to Western Australian to play Fremantle at Rushton Park on March 4.

2017 Pre-Season Game 1 Squad Named

Collingwood News - Luke Mason

Collingwood Pre Season Game 1 Squad
1. Alex Fasolo 2. Jordan De Goey 5. Jamie Elliott 6. Tyson Goldsack 9. Jesse White 11. Jarryd Blair 12. Matthew Scharenberg 14. James Aish 15. Lynden Dunn 16. Chris Mayne 18. Travis Varcoe 19. Levi Greenwood 21. Tom Phillips 22. Steele Sidebottom 23. Lachlan Keeffe	25. Jack Crisp 26. Josh Daicos 28. Ben Sinclair 30. Darcy Moore 31. Jackson Ramsay 32. Will Hoskin-Elliott 37. Brayden Maynard 38. Jeremy Howe 40. Josh Smith 41. Henry Schade* 43. Adam Oxley 44. Liam Mackie* 45. Max Lynch* 46. Mason Cox* *Denotes rookie

Jamie Elliott headlines a pack of Magpies who are set to return to senior football after lengthy absences in Collingwood’s JLT Community Series opener against Essendon.
The team includes three untried players, four experienced recruits and a further four players who have not played senior football for some time.

The comeback kings
The match will be momentous for Elliott and young teammates Matthew Scharenberg and Jackson Ramsay, will play their first games of any kind since undergoing major surgery.
Elliott, as has been well documented, has not played senior football since the final round of the 2015 season. A back injury laid him low during the pre-season and eventually saw him sent in for surgery.

PRE-SEASON DRAW MATCH 1 Thursday, 16 February Collingwood v Essendon Etihad Stadium 19:40 EDT MATCH 2 Saturday, 4 March Fremantle v Collingwood Rushton Park, Mandurah 13:40 WST MATCH 3 Saturday, 11 March Richmond v Collingwood Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe 13:10 EDT

"To be honest, I didn't know what was going to happen (with my injury)," Elliott said during a live interview on Collingwood’s Facebook page last Wednesday.
"I had good days and bad days. I still do, but I am finding a way to manage my back in terms of preparation and recovery leading into training sessions."
For Scharenberg and Ramsay, the match will mark their returns from knee reconstructions.
Ramsay underwent his in April 2016 following a training mishap.
Scharenberg, meanwhile, has not played since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a training session in November 2015.

Back into the fray
Lachlan Keeffe is in line to make his return to senior football.
The 26-year-old’s two-year anti-doping suspension expired on 10 February.
Should he play against Essendon, it will 902 days since Keeffe’s last senior appearance against Hawthorn in the final round of the 2014 season.
Coach Nathan Buckley has already hinted that Keeffe, historically used as a key defender, may be trialled up forward.
“We know Keeffey can play down back if required but our depth charts indicate he may be a better chance of playing senior footy as a forward/ second ruckman,” Buckley wrote in an AFL Media Facebook Q&A.
“He has trained really well and will be ready when called upon. (He) came back very fit.”

Josh Daicos impressed during Wednesday's intra-club match at the Holden Centre.

Another Macedonian Marvel
Collingwood fans have been pining for the sight of a Daicos in a Black and White jumper since Peter’s final game in round 10, 1993.
For the most one-eyed of Pies, Thursday night could mark the end of a 23 year-7 month-6 day drought.
Eighteen-year-old Josh Daicos has been named in the 29-man squad after a fine performance in Wednesday’s intra-club match.
“Josh looked really good. Whichever grade he steps up to, he looks like he can handle it," assistant coach Brenton Sanderson after the game.
“He looks poised and balanced with the footy, a bit like his Dad.”
Daicos, along with rookies Liam Mackie and Max Lynch, are the three untried players in Thursday’s squad.

Old faces, new jumper
It’s not just the uncapped and once-injured Magpies who will be a little toey on Thursday night.
Lynden Dunn, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Chris Mayne and Henry Schade are in line to play their first games in a Collingwood jumper after arriving from other AFL clubs during the off-season.
All four performed well in Wednesday’s intra-club match and will be eager to develop an on-field chemistry with their new teammates.

Squad rules
Both teams are to name a 29-man squad before trimming the group to 26 on game day. Both sides will play with eight players on the interchange bench with no substitutes.

Absentees
Senior Magpies who will sit out Thursday’s match include Taylor Adams, Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Ben Reid, Adam Treloar and Daniel Wells. In Pendlebury’s absence, Steele Sidebottom will captain the side.

2017 Pre-Season Fixture Revealed

Collingwood News - Sam Gastin 

PRE-SEASON DRAW MATCH 1 Thursday, 16 February Collingwood v Essendon Etihad Stadium 19:40 EDT MATCH 2 Saturday, 4 March Fremantle v Collingwood Rushton Park, Mandurah 13:40 WST MATCH 3 Saturday, 11 March Richmond v Collingwood Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe 13:10 EDT

Collingwood will mix metro with regional as it prepares for the 2017 home and away season.
Today's announcement of the JLT Community Series (formerly the NAB Challenge) fixture sees the Magpies beginning their campaign against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, before travelling to Mandurah and Moe to face Fremantle and Richmond respectively.
While much of the focus in the Etihad Stadium clash may surround the returns of Essendon's previously suspended players, it should also be the first chance Collingwood supporters will get to watch some of the 12 new faces wearing Black and White in 2017.
One of these, forward Chris Mayne, may have his sights set two weeks in advance. If available to be selected, the 28-year-old will clash with the Fremantle side he played 172 games for before crossing to Collingwood.
The Saturday afternoon fixture will be the first time Collingwood has played in Mandurah, a town in which a young Brian Taylor begun his football career in the 1970s.
From country Western Australia, the Magpies will then travel 130km east of Melbourne for a clash against Richmond at the Ted Summerton Reserve.
The home of the Moe Lions underwent a $3.15 million redevelopment in 2009, before another upgrade at the end of 2015.
The ground has never hosted an AFL pre-season fixture, however St Kilda made it a temporary home for a community camp last year.
All pre-season games will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.

Full Pre-Season Draw