Collingwood superstars Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury will make a welcome return in time for the team’s crucial Gather Round clash.
The Magpies went down to the Lions last Thursday but will be boosted ahead of the game against the Dockers on Friday by the inclusions of Daicos and Pendlebury.
Daicos (calf) was a late out before facing Brisbane, while Pendlebury (achilles) missed the clash after showing signs of soreness against GWS the previous week.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae confirmed the selection of his two returning guns on Wednesday morning.
“Nick will play and so will Pendles, they did what they needed to do this week to get through,” McRae said.
“I don’t think anyone will declare 100 per cent right to play, he’s probably close to it, but I don’t think we’ll manage Nick’s minutes.
“We might with some others, we’ve been doing that in the early part of the season, depending on injuries and the bench.
“We’re probably going into the game thinking not (playing him forward) to see what the game gives us.”
The Magpies will also unveil debutant Angus Anderson against the Dockers.
Anderson – drafted from SANFL power Sturt last season – collected 30 disposals, 12 clearances and a goal against Coburg in the VFL last week.
McRae said Anderson’s strength at clearance was too difficult to resist at the selection table this week.
“It’s always good to tell a player he will make his debut and Angus, not from South Australia, but clearly played there last year,” he said.
“His last at Adelaide Oval he won a premiership with Sturt so he’s got some great memories there and plenty of friends I am sure so it’ll be a good homecoming for him.
“Tough, he’s tough. The fans will love his tackling intensity and every time we show some highlights of him at VFL, he’s really smashing in and hurting the opposition.
“His contest and clearance stuff is his strength and we’re playing against an opposition that is number 1 in the competition in those parts of the game.”
Originally published as AFL 2026: Collingwood will be bolstered by two major returns and a debutant for Gather Round