Collingwood has been strengthened by the return of key forward Anthony Rocca for Saturday’s blockbuster with top-of-the-ladder Geelong at the MCG.
The key forward has served a two-match suspension for charging Sydney’s Sean Dempster in round 12, and is one of two changes to the Collingwood 22.
Ruckman Chris Bryan also returns after showing excellent form for Williamstown, while two first-year players, Ben Reid and Shannon Cox, have been omitted.
The contest promises to be one of the matches of the season with both teams on fire and a huge crowd expected.
The fourth-placed Magpies are two games behind the Cats but only percentage from second spot, and are brimming with confidence after last week’s sterling comeback victory against the Saints. The Cats, meanwhile, are riding the momentum of a nine-game winning streak.
The match will also be deputy vice-captain Ben Johnson’s AFL 150th game, a fine achievement from the 26-year-old who has spent his entire career at Collingwood since being drafted with the 62nd overall selection in the 1999 AFL Draft.
The Magpie emergencies are Ryan Lonie, Ryan Cook and Reid.
Geelong has made just one change to the side that beat Essendon last Friday by 50 points, with defender Josh Hunt replacing Kane Tenace, who has been dropped.
2007 AFL Premiership Season – Round 15
Geelong v Collingwood
MCG, Saturday 14 July 2007
GEELONG
B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright
HB: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Egan, Tom Harley
C: Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel, David Wojcinski
HF: Paul Chapman, Cameron Mooney, Travis Varcoe
F: Steve Johnson, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Brad Ottens, Cameron Ling, Gary Ablett
Int: Mark Blake, James Kelly, Josh Hunt, Joel Selwood
Emg: Charlie Gardiner, Shannon Byrnes, David Johnson
In: Josh Hunt
Out: Kane Tenace (omitted)
COLLINGWOOD
B: Ben Johnson, Shane Wakelin, Harry O’Brien
HB: Heath Shaw, Tyson Goldsack, Nick Maxwell
C: Martin Clarke, Scott Burns, Paul Licuria
HF: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
F: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Tarkyn Lockyer
Foll: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Dane Swan
Int: Sam Iles, Paul Medhurst, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Bryan
Emg: Ryan Lonie, Ben Reid, Ryan Cook
In: Anthony Rocca, Chris Bryan
Out: Ben Reid, Shannon Cox (both omitted)
Milestone: Ben Johnson (150 AFL games)
The key forward has served a two-match suspension for charging Sydney’s Sean Dempster in round 12, and is one of two changes to the Collingwood 22.
Ruckman Chris Bryan also returns after showing excellent form for Williamstown, while two first-year players, Ben Reid and Shannon Cox, have been omitted.
The contest promises to be one of the matches of the season with both teams on fire and a huge crowd expected.
The fourth-placed Magpies are two games behind the Cats but only percentage from second spot, and are brimming with confidence after last week’s sterling comeback victory against the Saints. The Cats, meanwhile, are riding the momentum of a nine-game winning streak.
The match will also be deputy vice-captain Ben Johnson’s AFL 150th game, a fine achievement from the 26-year-old who has spent his entire career at Collingwood since being drafted with the 62nd overall selection in the 1999 AFL Draft.
The Magpie emergencies are Ryan Lonie, Ryan Cook and Reid.
Geelong has made just one change to the side that beat Essendon last Friday by 50 points, with defender Josh Hunt replacing Kane Tenace, who has been dropped.
2007 AFL Premiership Season – Round 15
Geelong v Collingwood
MCG, Saturday 14 July 2007
GEELONG
B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright
HB: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Egan, Tom Harley
C: Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel, David Wojcinski
HF: Paul Chapman, Cameron Mooney, Travis Varcoe
F: Steve Johnson, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Brad Ottens, Cameron Ling, Gary Ablett
Int: Mark Blake, James Kelly, Josh Hunt, Joel Selwood
Emg: Charlie Gardiner, Shannon Byrnes, David Johnson
In: Josh Hunt
Out: Kane Tenace (omitted)
COLLINGWOOD
B: Ben Johnson, Shane Wakelin, Harry O’Brien
HB: Heath Shaw, Tyson Goldsack, Nick Maxwell
C: Martin Clarke, Scott Burns, Paul Licuria
HF: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
F: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Tarkyn Lockyer
Foll: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Dane Swan
Int: Sam Iles, Paul Medhurst, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Bryan
Emg: Ryan Lonie, Ben Reid, Ryan Cook
In: Anthony Rocca, Chris Bryan
Out: Ben Reid, Shannon Cox (both omitted)
Milestone: Ben Johnson (150 AFL games)
