Collingwood has named an experienced squad ahead of Saturday afternoon’s NAB Challenge match against Port Adelaide in South Australia (Mt Gambier).
With the home-and-away season only two weeks away, the Magpie match committee has recalled several big names including Leon Davis, Alan Didak, Harry O’Brien, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Heath Shaw.
The squad of 29 players, set to be narrowed to 26 one hour before the match, will boast a full strength forward line comprising of Davis, Paul Medhurst, Leigh Brown, Chris Dawes and Travis Cloke.
Continuing on from their success in 2009 by incorporating multiple goal kickers into their game plan, the Magpies have averaged eight goal kickers during their three preseason matches.
The side should also feature a premium midfield line-up with only young Magpies Steele Sidebottom and Ben Sinclair rested for the match while Dayne Beams will play for VFL in a practice match on the weekend.
Collingwood will have its last chance to experiment with the rotations of ruckmen Darren Jolly and Josh Fraser as the team prepares for its round one encounter against the Western Bulldogs ruck combination of Will Minson and Ben Hudson.
After impressing the coaching staff with his stint across the half back in Alice Springs two weeks ago, Magpie supporters will be interested to see where Didak lines up against the Power. His position down back helped stifle Adelaide’s attack and could be a sign of things to come from the 2006 Copeland Trophy winner.
The match should prove to be a good gauge of how the side is placed ahead of round one of the season proper with only a handful of players not available due to injury.
Ruckman Cameron Wood is progressing well after his finger operation and looks to be a month away from returning to the side while Brad Dick remains sidelined after undergoing shoulder surgery in the pre-season (full injury list click here).
Match coverage
Collingwoodfc.com.au will provide a goal-by-goal live chat from the ground during the match while fiveaaa will be providing a radio stream.
Collingwood v Port Adelaide
NAB Challenge
Saturday 13 March
Malseed Park, 4.30 pm (EST)
Collingwood’s 29-man squad
1. Leon Davis
3. John McCarthy
4. Alan Didak
5. Nick Maxwell
7. Paul Medhurst
8. Harry O’Brien
9. John Anthony
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Shane O’Bree
12. Luke Ball
13. Dale Thomas
14. Anthony Corrie
15. Leigh Brown
18. Darren Jolly
20. Ben Reid
21. Sharrod Wellingham
24. Tarkyn Lockyer
25. Josh Fraser
26. Ben Johnson
29. Ryan Cook
30. Brent Macaffer
31. Chris Dawes
32. Travis Cloke
34. Alan Toovey
35. Simon Prestigiacomo
36. Dane Swan
39. Heath Shaw
41. Simon Buckley
43. Jaxson Barham
Port Adelaide's 29-man squad
1. Domenic Cassisi
3. Steven Salopek
4. Daniel Motlop
6. Danyle Pearce
7. Nathan Krakouer
9. Jacob Surjan
10. Travis Boak
14. Paul Stewart
16. Warren Tredrea
17. Robbie Gray
18. Kane Cornes
19. Nick Salter
20. Dean Brogan
21. Matthew Thomas
22. Jay Nash
23. Matthew Lobbe
26. Andrew Moore
27. Alipate Carlile
28. Jay Schulz
31. Mitchell Banner
33. Brett Ebert
35. Chad Cornes
38. Scott Harding
39. Justin Westhoff
41. Jason Davenport
43. Daniel Stewart
45. Cameron Hitchcock
