COLLINGWOD has been forced to make three changes for tonight’s clash against the Hawks, with star midfielder Dane Swan among the casualties.
Swan is one of three Pies to be left out of the team due to injury, alongside tagger Brent Macaffer (knee) and former Hawk Clinton Young (hamstring).
The trio have been replaced by premiership player Heritier Lumumba who returns from injury, defender Paul Seedsman and debutant Corey Gault.
Important forward Jamie Elliott, who has kicked 33 goals this year, hasn't been selected after failing to recover in time from a hamstring injury.
Despite having a quiet season by his standards, Swan is still one of Collingwood’s most important players and a big loss for his team.
He is ranked fourth for average disposals for the year at his club (24.9 per game) and third for clearances (3.2) and centre clearances (1.5). He is also ranked equal fourth for inside 50s per game.
Macaffer is another big loss, particularly given the number of gun midfielders in the Hawthorn side.
The tagger had taken some big scalps this year including Richmond’s Trent Cotchin earlier this year and even former Pie Heath Shaw in last week’s win over GWS before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
As one of the side’s struggling to control the footy this season – Collingwood are ranked 18th in the league for disposal efficiency – the loss of Young will be felt by coach Nathan Buckley.
Used across half back and through the midfield, Young is ranked third at the Pies for inside 50s, with his team loving him to be the last link in the chain heading forward. He is also ranked equal first for rebounds from defensive 50.
Seedsman will be a straight replacement for Young in that role, with the youngster a penetrating kick through the midfield and across half back.
Lumumba will also help to fill that role and give his young teammates a boost of experience. He is ranked fifth at his club for average disposals this year (20.3) and is the equal number one rebounder from defensive 50.
Gault will play his first senior game after a string of impressive performances as a ruckman/forward for the Collingwood VFL side.
The Pies will also be without Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid, Nathan Brown and Alan Toovey.
Collingwood v Hawthorn
Round 23
Friday 29 August
MCG, 7.50pm
Collingwood
B: Jackson Ramsay, Jack Frost, Ben Sinclair
HB: Marley Williams, Lachlan Keeffe, Tony Armstrong
C: Heritier Lumumba, Scott Pendlebury, Sam Dwyer
HF: Steele Sidebottom, Corey Gault, Jarryd Blair
F: Tyson Goldsack, Jesse White, Brodie Grundy
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Josh Thomas, Tim Broomhead
Int: Alex Fasolo, Luke Ball, Paul Seedsman, Tom Langdon
Emg: Ben Kennedy, Quinten Lynch, Patrick Karnezis
IN: Corey Gault, Heritier Lumumba, Paul Seedsman
OUT: Brent Macaffer (knee), Dane Swan (hamstring), Clinton Young (hamstring)
NEW: Corey Gault (21, Swan Districts)
Hawthorn
B: Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Taylor Duryea
HB: Sam Mitchell, Angus Litherland, Grant Birchall
C: Bradley Hill, Will Langford, Liam Shiels
HF: Luke Breust, Jonathon Ceglar, Isaac Smith
F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston
Foll: David Hale, Jordan Lewis, Shaun Burgoyne
Int: Ryan Schoenmakers, Jonathan Simpkin, Matt Spangher, Brad Sewell
Emg: Billy Hartung, Ben McEvoy, Kyle Cheney
IN: Taylor Duryea, Angus Litherland, Ryan Schoenmakers
OUT: Luke Hodge (knee soreness), Ben Stratton (corked calf), Matthew Suckling (knee)
