CTV> Watch Chris Dawes and John McCarthy discuss their selection
READ> Collingwood-St Kilda match previewTwo debutants are part of five inclusions to the Collingwood team to take on St Kilda on Saturday night.
Key forward Chris Dawes, who was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2006 draft but missed most of 2007 with a knee injury, will play his first AFL game alongside midfielder John McCarthy, the club’s first overall selection in the 2007 draft at No. 31 overall.
Dawes and McCarthy come into the side along with emerging midfielders Danny Stanley and Ryan Cook, who have both been excellent at VFL level, and veteran defender Shane Wakelin.
Stanley, who last played in round four, has made three senior appearances since debuting last year, while Cook, who also played his first game for the Magpies in 2007, will play his sixth AFL game this year.
The Magpies lose Heath Shaw and Alan Didak for the remainder of the season due to a club-imposed suspension, while reliable midfielder Shane O’Bree will miss with a thigh injury, and Ryan Lonie and Sharrod Wellingham have been omitted.
Dawes and McCarthy have been stringing some solid performances together in the VFL and are both eagerly looking forward to the match.
“I understand it’s a big game for the club, there has been a bit going on and the season is certainly in the balance. I’m really hoping I can come in and contribute, make an impact and help the boys get a win”, Dawes said.
Both debutants spoke to CTV upon learning of their selection.
CLICK HERE to watch the interviews. Sam Iles, Wellingham, and Lonie are listed as emergencies.
The match also marks Scott Pendlebury’s 50th game for the club.
.gif){kind=small}
CLICK HERE to read Scott's exclusive collingwoodfc.com.au column describing his first 50 games. St Kilda lose ball-magnet, Luke Ball, with a hamstring injury he sustained against Port Adelaide and welcome back Max Hudghton.
2008 AFL Premiership Season Round 19
Collingwood v St Kilda
Saturday 9 August
MCG, 7:10pm
Collingwood
B: Shane Wakelin , Nathan Brown, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Martin Clarke, Nick Maxwell, Heritier O’Brien
C: Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Burns (c), Alan Toovey
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
F: Chris Dawes, Paul Medhurst, John Anthony
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
Int: Danny Stanley, John McCarthy, Chris Bryan, Ryan Cook
Emg: Ryan Lonie, Sharrod Wellingham, Sam Iles
In: Ryan Cook, Chris Dawes, John McCarthy, Danny Stanley, Shane Wakelin
Out: Alan Didak, Heath Shaw (suspended) Ryan Lonie, Sharrod Wellingham (omitted), Shane O’Bree (injured)
Milestone: Scott Pendlebury (50 AFL games)
New:
Chris Dawes (20, recruited from Sandringham Dragons with the 28th overall pick in the 2006 AFL Draft)
John McCarthy (18, recruited from Dandenong Stingrays with the 31st overall pick in the 2007 AFL Draft)
St Kilda
B: Sean Dempster, Sam Fisher, Jason Gram
HB: Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert, Jason Blake
C: Aaron Fiora, Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes
HF: Robert Harvey, Nick Riewoldt, Robert Eddy
F: Clint Jones, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Andrew McQualter, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Adam Schneider, James Gwilt, Max Hudghton, Jarryn Geary
EMG: Shane Birss, Raphael Clarke, Michael Rix
In: Hudghton
Out: Luke Ball (hamstring)
