Collingwood has selected a debutant and a Magpie first gamer in its 22 for the round one clash with Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
19-year-old Nathan Brown, the No. 10 overall pick from the 2006 draft, has been named at centre half-back for his first game of AFL football, while ruckman Cameron Wood has earned a spot on the interchange having been traded to Collingwood from Brisbane at the end of last year.
Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh told collingwoodfc.com.au that Brown, who stands 195 centimetres, has been rewarded for a fine pre-season and hard work since he arrived at the club.
“Browny’s been very solid during the pre-season, he’s been playing on the power forwards of the opposition, and he’ll do that again, not only on Saturday, but hopefully for the rest of the year if he can hold his form, so that’s terrific,” Walsh said at the Lexus Centre on Thursday just after the team was announced.
“He (Brown) is a boy who, in the last 12 months, has put in a lot of work in the gym, he’s got a strong body, and if he’s going to play key back he’s going to need that, so pleasingly his body’s produced some results that reflect the work he’s put in over the last year or so. “
Walsh also praised 204-centimetre Wood for the way he has developed over the pre-season campaign.
“Woody’s form in the ruck has been terrific. His centre bounce work has been good, and he’s also been able to sneak forward and kick a couple of goals, and I think he’s had at least one or two shots on goal in each practice match he’s played, so that gives us another string to our bow, so he’s been very pleasing.”
Josh Fraser will captain the side in Scott Burns’ absence, the newly appointed Magpie skipper set to play another VFL practice match this week after recovering from a calf injury.
Following an injury-marred 2007, Chris Egan has been selected on the bench, a reward for his commitment to fully recovering from his knee problem and a fine pre-season.
The forward line is at full strength, with key players Anthony Rocca and Travis Cloke set to start, while Dale Thomas will be at their feet and Sean Rusling will line up at full forward.
Alan Didak has been named on a wing after completing an excellent pre-season, and 2007 Copeland Trophy runner-up Scott Pendlebury will start in the centre.
The emergencies are youngsters Ryan Cook, Ben Reid and Alan Toovey, all three having completed excellent pre-seasons, the fact they missed out a testament to the depth of the young talent on the list at the moment.
“Cook, Reid and Toovey as the emergency combination are all boys who have had good summers, all very promising,” Walsh added.
“I suppose it’s pleasing for the club that the emergency list does consist of boys who are in their second and third years with the footy club and on the verge of establishing their careers, so that just adds to our depth hopefully.”
Brodie Holland misses out but his form has been strong after his full recovery from an Achilles problem and he’s not far away, and Simon Prestigiacomo is still unavailable with a foot injury.
2007 AFL Premiership Season – Round 1
Collingwood v Fremantle
Saturday 22 March, 2008
MCG, 2:10 PM
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Heritier O’Brien
C: Alan Didak, Scott Pendlebury, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Martin Clarke, Anthony Rocca, Rhyce Shaw
F: Travis Cloke, Sean Rusling, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Leon Davis
Int: Cameron Wood, Chris Egan, Paul Medhurst, Dane Swan
Emg: Ryan Cook, Ben Reid, Alan Toovey
New:
- Nathan Brown (19 years, 195 cm, 97 kg, from North Ballarat U18, selected with pick 10 in the 2006 AFL Draft)
- Cameron Wood (20 years, 204 cm, 105 kg, from Brisbane Lions, traded by Brisbane for pick 14 at the end of the 2007 season)
- Scott Burns (recovered from a calf injury – will play another VFL practice match)
- Brodie Holland (recovered from an Achilles injury – will play another VFL practice match)
- Ben Johnson (has one more match to serve of a six match suspension)
- Simon Prestigiacomo (foot, indefinite)
- Brad Dick (knee, season)
