Collingwood has announced two key returns to its senior side as it prepares for a high-stakes Collingwood team selection Carlton clash this Thursday night at the MCG. The Magpies have opted for a blend of fresh legs and returning experience to bolster their ranks for one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures.
Midfielder Ed Allan and forward Will Hayes have both been recalled to the line-up, marking their first senior appearances since the Round 4 encounter against the Brisbane Lions. Allan, preparing for his 19th career game, provides a critical injection of energy into the engine room, while Hayes returns for his fourth AFL match to provide a target in the forward half.
The inclusions arrive at a cost, with two heavy hitters missing from the midfield. Veteran Steele Sidebottom has been ruled out with a hip pointer sustained during the previous outing against Fremantle, though the club expects him to be fit for the Round 7 Anzac Day clash against Essendon. Joining him on the sidelines is Jordan De Goey, who is currently navigating concussion protocols following a head knock last week.
Milestones and Legacy at the MCG
Beyond the tactical shifts, Thursday night serves as a landmark occasion for several figures within the Collingwood camp. Vice-captain Nick Daicos has been selected for his 100th AFL game, a milestone that punctuates a meteoric rise. In just 99 matches, the midfield star has already secured a premiership medal, three All-Australian selections, and the 2024 Copeland Trophy, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier talents.
The celebrations extend to the veteran ranks, where Jack Crisp is set to carve his name deeper into the club’s history books. Selecting his 262nd game for the Magpies, Crisp will move past the legendary Jock McHale to claim outright eighth place on Collingwood’s all-time games played list. When factoring in his 18 matches with the Brisbane Lions, the encounter will bring Crisp’s total career tally to 280.
In the coach’s box, Craig McRae reaches a personal milestone of his own, marking his 300th game as a combined player and coach. McRae’s journey—comprising 195 games as a player for Brisbane and 104 as Collingwood’s senior coach—culminates in a fascinating tactical battle against Carlton’s Michael Voss.
The history between the two coaches is storied; McRae and Voss, a three-time premiership captain, will face off for the ninth time. McRae currently holds a significant psychological edge, having won seven of their previous eight meetings.
Fresh Faces and Charitable Stakes
The Magpies will also be monitoring the growth of their youngest stars under the bright lights of the MCG. Ruckman Oscar Steene and midfielder Angus Anderson, who both made their debuts in recent weeks against GWS and Fremantle respectively, will experience their first senior action at the venue for the first time.
The clash is more than just a battle for four premiership points. Thursday night marks the 31st annual Peter Mac Cup, the longest-running charity game in the history of the AFL, supporting the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in its mission to treat and prevent cancer.
Collingwood Team Changes Summary
| Status | Player | Position | Reason/Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| In | Ed Allan | Midfielder | Returning to senior side |
| In | Will Hayes | Forward | Returning to senior side |
| Out | Steele Sidebottom | Midfielder | Hip pointer |
| Out | Jordan De Goey | Midfielder | Concussion protocols |
Rounding out the squad, defender Wil Parker, midfielder Lachlan Sullivan, and forward Jack Buller have been named as the emergencies for the night. The match will be broadcast live across Channel 7, 7+, Fox Footy, and Kayo Sports, starting at 7:30 pm AEST.
The immediate focus now shifts to the opening bounce on Thursday night, followed by the club’s medical assessment of Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom ahead of the traditional Anzac Day fixture in Round 7.
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