Craig McRae has made four changes to Collingwood’s team for Friday night’s Round 24 match against Melbourne at the MCG.
Finlay Macrae, Joe Richards, Charlie Dean, and Ed Allan all make their debuts for Collingwood in the club’s final home and away game of the 2024 season.
The four players to make way are Dan McStay (managed), Billy Frampton (omitted), Jack Bytel (omitted), and Ned Long (omitted).
Frampton and Long join teenage halfback Jakob Ryan as the three emergency players, while the tactical substitute will be chosen from the extended bench and announced 60 minutes before kickoff.
Scott Pendlebury, a Collingwood star, will play his 403rd AFL game, tying him with Richmond champion Kevin Bartlett for fourth place most V/AFL games played.
Friday night will mark the 305th time Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom have played together, tying Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood for the second most games together as teammates in V/AFL history.
The four newcomers return to the AFL squad after impressive performances in the VFL, including an eight-point win against Brisbane last Saturday.
Charlie Dean led the way with 17 marks, including 11 interceptions, while Finlay Macrae contributed 37 disposals and eight clearances. Richards scored twice, while Allan had 27 disposals and six clearances in the Club’s final VFL game of 2024.
