COLLINGWOOD rookie Brent Macaffer has received some welcome news at the business end of the season, elevated to the senior list in place of forward Sean Rusling.

Macaffer, 20, has kicked 32 goals in the VFL since round 10 and that form has encouraged the Pies to make him available for senior selection, in contrast to Rusling who was put on the long-term injury list earlier this month.

Rusling had the second shoulder reconstruction of his early career in April.

"Brent has been in good, consistent form, particularly during the second half of the VFL season, and has kicked plenty of goals," Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh told collingwoodfc.com.au.

"By putting Sean Rusling on the long-term injury list, it created an opportunity for Brent to be considered for senior selection for the last two rounds of the AFL season."

Macaffer, who has spent almost two seasons on Collingwood's rookie list, is a mobile forward whose talents were obvious when he led the TAC Cup's goalkicking when playing for Gippsland in 2006.

Collingwood hosts the Sydney Swans at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, looking for its third successive win after three straight losses threatened to derail the club's finals aspirations.