Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan headlines a host of Collingwood players expected to feature in this weekend’s Round 12 clash against Melbourne.
Swan was a last-minute withdrawal from Friday night’s 86-point demolition of the Saints with a heel complaint, but is expected to be right for the Monday afternoon clash against the Dees at the MCG.
The 30-year-old Swan will be joined by emerging ruckman Brodie Grundy, also a late withdrawal with a back issue, and veteran midfielder Luke Ball, returning form a calf injury, as the other Collingwood inclusions as the club looks to improve on its 7-3 start to the season.
The Magpies will be out to build on their current fourth place position on the AFL table despite facing the competitive but lowly Demons and the Bulldogs over the coming fortnight before the Round 14 blockbuster against Hawthorn.
It’s not all good news- Collingwood could be without gun Steel Sidebottom for the stretch after the usually composed on-baller was offered a three-match ban for a high elbow to Saint Mav Weller moments after the opening bounce. Sidebottom was originally offered a month on the sidelines, but an early guilty plea will see him miss just the three after Weller suffered a concussion and was subbed from the game.
Former captain Nick Maxwell may also be in doubt for the vital clash against the Hawks after the veteran defender sustained a calf injury over the weekend.
“The scan was not too bad but with his age you would err on the side of caution and it will probably be three weeks,” Magpies football director Rodney Eade said Monday.
Better news for recruit Jesse White- the forward should be right for Monday after a grizzly finger injury.
“He had a compound dislocation and it split the skin. He was able to put that back and there is no fracture,” Eade said.
“It’s in a splint, but we’re pretty confident he’ll be able to play on Monday.”
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