Battle-hardened Magpies Levi Greenwood, Alan Toovey and Tyson Goldsack are among those pushing for senior selection ahead of Saturday night’s clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Greenwood was ‘managed’ through Collingwood’s victory over Greater Western Sydney last Saturday and is expected to slot straight back into the Magpies’ senior team.
Goldsack and Toovey were among the club’s better players across half-back in Collingwood’s 71-point win over North Ballarat on Sunday. Toovey, who hasn’t played at AFL level since Round 11, had 19 possessions and four rebound 50ms while Goldsack collected 16 disposals, including five rebounds.
Young Pie Tim Broomhead was best afield with 21 possessions, eight clearances, seven tackles and a goal and could be considered for just his third senior game of the season.
Marley Williams is also a chance to confront the Crows after collecting 24 possessions and six inside 50ms.
Youngsters Adam Oxley (25 disposals, seven tackles) and Tom Phillips (23 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) were also prominent and may come into the selection mix.
Forward/ruckman Mason Cox didn’t play at any level last week but is expected to resume through the VFL.
Doubt surrounds the fitness of leading goalkicker Alex Fasolo, who reported discomfort in his previously injured left shoulder during last round’s victory over the Giants.
It was Fasolo’s first game after five weeks on the sidelines due to a fractured scapula. The 24-year-old spent extended periods of the last quarter on the interchange bench, but Collingwood Director of Football Neil Balme expected Fasolo to confront the Crows on Saturday.
“Alex Fasolo was a touch sore at the end of the game,” Balme told Collingwood’s official website.
“There’s no new incident to his shoulder, but he’s a little bit sore.
“We’re pretty confident that he’ll get up for this week, but he’ll need to be tested. We do expect him to play.”
Young South Australian defender Brayden Maynard escaped suspension after being charged for striking Giants forward Steve Johnson late in last week’s win.
The teenager accepted a $1,000 sanction and is free to play at Adelaide Oval this weekend.