Collingwood welcomes back key defender Simon Prestigiacomo for Saturday’s round 16 battle with Essendon at the MCG, with Ryan Lonie also returning after a lengthy absence.
Prestigiacomo, who hasn’t played since the round 10 victory over Fremantle due to foot problems, will strengthen the inexperienced Collingwood defence still missing vice-captain James Clement.
Importantly, the 29-year-old will also add to coach Mick Malthouse’s defensive arsenal in combating key Essendon forwards Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas.
Lonie, who has fully recovered from ongoing groin issues, will play his first senior game since round one.
He has produced a series of excellent performances for the club’s VFL affiliate Williamstown in recent weeks, and will add run, carry and polish to the Magpie midfield.
Ruckman Guy Richards has also been recalled after two strong showings for Williamstown.
Chris Bryan, Paul Medhurst and Sam Iles have been omitted.
Essendon, meanwhile, has brought Dustin Fletcher and Mark McVeigh back from suspension, while Scott Camporeale will miss with a knee injury and Jason Johnson has been dropped.
2007 AFL Premiership Season, Round 16
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG, Saturday 21 July, 2:10pm
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: Guy Richards, Ryan Lonie, Scott Pendlebury, Simon Prestigiacomo
Emg: Brad Dick, Shannon Cox, Sam Iles
In: Ryan Lonie, Guy Richards, Simon Prestigiacomo
Out: Paul Medhurst, Sam Iles, Chris Bryan (all omitted)
ESSENDON
B: Jay Nash, Mal Michael, Henry Slattery
HB: Dustin Fletcher, Andrew Welsh, Adam McPhee
C: Adam Ramanauskas, Mark McVeigh
HF: Tom Hislop, Matthew Lloyd, Mark Johnson
F: Scott Lucas, Andrew Lovett, David Hille
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
Int: Ricky Dyson, Jason Laycock, Angus Monfries, Nathan Lovett-Murray
Emg: Jason Johnson, Mark Bolton, Kepler Bradley
In: Dustin Fletcher, Mark McVeigh
Out: Scott Camporeale (injured - knee), Jason Johnson (omitted)
Prestigiacomo, who hasn’t played since the round 10 victory over Fremantle due to foot problems, will strengthen the inexperienced Collingwood defence still missing vice-captain James Clement.
Importantly, the 29-year-old will also add to coach Mick Malthouse’s defensive arsenal in combating key Essendon forwards Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas.
Lonie, who has fully recovered from ongoing groin issues, will play his first senior game since round one.
He has produced a series of excellent performances for the club’s VFL affiliate Williamstown in recent weeks, and will add run, carry and polish to the Magpie midfield.
Ruckman Guy Richards has also been recalled after two strong showings for Williamstown.
Chris Bryan, Paul Medhurst and Sam Iles have been omitted.
Essendon, meanwhile, has brought Dustin Fletcher and Mark McVeigh back from suspension, while Scott Camporeale will miss with a knee injury and Jason Johnson has been dropped.
2007 AFL Premiership Season, Round 16
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG, Saturday 21 July, 2:10pm
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: Guy Richards, Ryan Lonie, Scott Pendlebury, Simon Prestigiacomo
Emg: Brad Dick, Shannon Cox, Sam Iles
In: Ryan Lonie, Guy Richards, Simon Prestigiacomo
Out: Paul Medhurst, Sam Iles, Chris Bryan (all omitted)
ESSENDON
B: Jay Nash, Mal Michael, Henry Slattery
HB: Dustin Fletcher, Andrew Welsh, Adam McPhee
C: Adam Ramanauskas, Mark McVeigh
HF: Tom Hislop, Matthew Lloyd, Mark Johnson
F: Scott Lucas, Andrew Lovett, David Hille
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
Int: Ricky Dyson, Jason Laycock, Angus Monfries, Nathan Lovett-Murray
Emg: Jason Johnson, Mark Bolton, Kepler Bradley
In: Dustin Fletcher, Mark McVeigh
Out: Scott Camporeale (injured - knee), Jason Johnson (omitted)
