Collingwood has been forced to make two changes to its side ahead of hosting North Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night.
Ruckman Cameron Wood and midfielder Shane O’Bree come into the 22 to replace Josh Fraser (knee) and Sharrod Wellingham (calf) who will both miss due to injury.
Wood is set to make his first senior appearance in 2010 after playing 13 matches last year including nine of the final 10 contests. The ruckman was enjoying a fine preseason before he was struck down by injury in the NAB Challenge match against Adelaide in Alice Springs. He underwent an operation to reattach his tendon to his ring finger on his left hand and subsequently missed the following month of football.
The 23-year-old returned through the VFL and has since played in the last three matches including a two-goal performance in the win over Werribee.
Joining Wood is O’Bree who returns to the team after being omitted from the last three matches. The 242-game veteran has averaged 13.5 disposals in the AFL this year but looks to have found form in the VFL gathering 30 possessions last week.
After starting the season in career-best form, Wellingham will miss a weekend of football with a calf injury. The young Magpie has taken his game to new heights in 2010 averaging 23.7 disposals and one goal a game.
“We are taking a precautionary move with Sharrod and we expect him to be available next week,” chief of football Geoff Walsh told collingwoodfc.com.au.
Playing in the opening six matches, Fraser is sidelined with a knee complaint after jarring it in the win over Carlton.
John Anthony, Tarkyn Lockyer and Simon Buckley make up the three emergencies.
North Melbourne, meanwhile, has elected to stick with the same side which held off Melbourne last week by 26 points. The Kangaroos are enjoying a solid month of footy and sit just outside the top eight with three wins and three losses.
Round seven
Collingwood v North Melbourne
Saturday 8 May
MCG, 7.10 pm
Collingwood
B: Heath Shaw, Ben Reid, Ben Johnson
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell, Alan Toovey
C: Luke Ball, Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Shane O’Bree, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
F: Dayne Beams, Paul Medhurst, Leon Davis
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Nathan Brown, Chris Dawes, Brent Macaffer, Cameron Wood
Emg: John Anthony, Tarkyn Lockyer, Simon Buckley
In: Shane O’Bree, Cameron Wood
Out: Josh Fraser (knee), Sharrod Wellingham (calf)
North Melbourne
B: Michael Firrito, Scott Thompson, Brady Rawlings
HB: Nathan Grima, Lachlan Hansen, Sam Wright
C: Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Aaron Edwards, Todd Goldstein, Brent Harvey
F: Daniel Wells, David Hale, Ben Warren
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Andrew Swallow, Liam Anthony
I/C: Lindsay Thomas, Leigh Adams, Levi Greenwood, Scott McMahon
Emg: Josh Smith, Nathan O'Keefe, Daniel Pratt
No change
