OLD FOES Collingwood and Essendon resurrect their rivalry when they open a huge round 17 at the MCG on Friday night.
Mid-season draftee Ned Long will start as the Magpies' substitute on debut, while Essendon has named Nick Hind as its starting sub.
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The two sides are among a bulging group of teams scrambling for a spot in the top eight, with the Bombers clinging to fourth spot despite last week's hefty loss to Geelong while the Magpies occupy sixth spot after their loss to Gold Coast.
Collingwood (8-5-2) perhaps ran out of lives as it slumped to a rare narrow defeat after snatching a late lead from the Suns.
Despite the Pies remaining the masters of the close encounters, the Bombers were perhaps the first to shake their belief when the two sides drew in this year's Anzac Day blockbuster.
Essendon (9-5-1) will be out to prove its top-four credentials against the Magpies after missing yet another opportunity to do just that with the alarming defeat to bogey side Geelong last week.
The Bombers have not beaten a side from outside the bottom three since round nine, losing against the three finals hopefuls it has faced in that time.
But they get another chance to find out where they are at when they face the reigning premier in a blockbuster Friday night clash.
The Pies have regained Lachie Schultz and recalled Charlie Dean, with Ned Long to make his club debut.
Beau McCreery and John Noble are out injured and Lachie Sullivan has been omitted.
The Bombers have recalled Dylan Shiel, Nate Caddy and Jake Kelly, with Jye Menzie, Dyson Heppell and Todd Goldstein out.
Collingwood v Essendon, MCG, 7.40pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Ned Long
Essendon: Nick Hind
