> Watch the finals edition of the 'Magpie Minute'Collingwood has named a 25-man squad ahead of Sunday’s qualifying final against St Kilda scheduled for 2.40 pm at the MCG.
Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Leigh Brown and Nathan Brown have all been added to the squad with Tyson Goldsack the only omission at this stage.
Pendlebury has recovered from back spasms which forced him to be a late withdrawal last week. The 21-year-old has been in career best form this year and was awarded with an All Australian nomination announced earlier this week.
After shining in the VFL over the last month, Sidebottom’s form has been unable to ignore by averaging 28 disposals and six tackles. Selected 11th overall in last year’s draft, Sidebottom is a chance to add to his eight senior matches on Sunday afternoon.
A late withdrawal through illness last week, Leigh Brown has been named in the squad and could play his first finals match in the black and white jumper. The 27-year-old utility has been a staple in the senior side this year contributing in 20 senior matches.
St Kilda's Max Hudghton (234 AFL games) and Luke Ball (139), along with Jarryn Geary (25), have all been added to the extended interchange, with a decision on their possible call-up to be made on Friday evening.
Ben McEvoy is the only casualty for the Saints with Michael Gardiner (155) seemingly over his hamstring injury, although the big man is also on the bench.
The sides will be finalised at 5pm on Friday 4 September. Please check Collingwoodfc.com.au for final team.
The VFL Magpies will also have finals on their radar this weekend as they take on the Casey Scorpions at TEAC Oval on Saturday at 1.10 pm. Collingwoodfc.com.au will provide live coverage from Port Melbourne for the full duration of the game.
Qualifying Final 1
St Kilda v Collingwood
Sunday 6 September
MCG, 2:40 pm
Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Leigh Brown
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tarkyn Lockyer
C: Alan Didak, Shane O’Bree, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Alan Toovey, Travis Cloke, Ben Johnson
F: Paul Medhurst, John Anthony, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Leon Davis
I/C: Cameron Wood, Steele Sidebottom, Brad Dick, John McCarthy, Anthony Rocca, Dayne Beams, Sharrod Wellingham
In: Leigh Brown, Anthony Rocca, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
Out: Tyson Goldsack (omitted)
Anthony Rocca has replaced Nathan Brown (injury) in the sqaud to be finalised at 5 pm on Friday.
St Kilda
B: Farren Ray, Zac Dawson, Steven Baker
HB: Sam Fisher, Jason Blake, Sam Gilbert
C: Brendon Goddard, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Andrew McQualter, Justin Koschitzke, Clint Jones
F: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Jason Gram
Foll: Steven King, Leigh Montagna, Adam Schneider
I/C (from): Luke Ball, Raphael Clarke, Sean Dempster, Robert Eddy, Michael Gardiner, Jarryn Geary, Max Hudghton
In: Gardiner, Ball, Geary, Hudghton
Out: Ben McEvoy
