GEN AFL Grand Final press conference at Kings Park. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Bereridge. Pic. Iain Gillespie The West Australian
There are five changes to the lineup that played to a thrilling draw at Optus Stadium last Friday night. Returning to the team are Oleg Markov, Jack Bytel, Ash Johnson, Jeremy Howe, and Finlay Macrae.
The players making way are Scott Pendlebury (arm), Brody Mihocek (hamstring), Mason Cox (concussion/leg), Joe Richards (foot), and Edward Allan (omitted).
The tactical substitute will be chosen from the extended bench and will be announced 60 minutes before the start of Friday night’s game.
Nathan Kreuger, Edward Allan, and Tew Jiath are named as the emergencies, marking the first time Jiath, Collingwood’s 2023 Pick 37, has been included in the AFL squad. Jiath has played seven games at VFL level in 2024, averaging 4.2 marks and 15.4 disposals from half-back.
Collingwood Senior Coach Craig McRae, along with Round 11 Rising Star nominee Harvey Harrison, addressed the media ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.
This will be Collingwood’s second game at Marvel Stadium for 2024, which will also mark Billy Frampton’s 50th AFL game. Frampton, who was drafted at Pick 84 in the 2014 National Draft, played three games for Port Adelaide before moving to the Adelaide Crows, where he played 21 more games. He has played 25 games for Collingwood since joining at the end of the 2022 season.
McRae praised Frampton’s performance and versatility this year in a press conference, highlighting his defensive capabilities and flexibility in playing various roles, including potentially playing as a ruck.
Jack Crisp will play his 226th consecutive AFL game in tomorrow night’s match, tying him with Richmond Senior Coach and former Melbourne player Adem Yze for the second-longest streak in V/AFL history. Crisp is 18 games away from breaking the record of 244 consecutive games, set by Melbourne legend Jim Stynes.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early at Marvel Stadium to catch the curtain-raiser VFL clash between Collingwood and Footscray, which starts at 4:05 pm. AFL ticketing prices apply to all VFL curtain-raisers.
