Collingwood recruit Dan McStay will make his long-awaited return from injury when the Magpies take on Footscray in a genuine eight-point Smithy’s VFL contest at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval on Friday afternoon.
McStay hasn’t played since injuring his finger early in the Magpies’ narrow Gather Round win over St Kilda at Adelaide Oval in April, with the injury then becoming infected and having to be operated on again.
He was due to return last week but suffered a bout of illness which put his return back again, but he is finally ready to return alongside Harvey Harrison, who drops back to the VFL after being the AFL substitute last week.
They replace the promoted Ash Johnson, while Nathan Kreuger has been ruled out with concussion.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, will welcome back a pair of talented youngsters, with classy small Riley Garcia returning from a groin injury and draftee Harvey Gallagher from a finger complaint for a match they must win to stay in touch with the top 10 – especially given the Magpies occupy that last finals position a win and percentage ahead.
Footscray has won four games in a row to pull itself back into contention, while Collingwood is on a four-match run of its own to climb into the top half of the ladder.
All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS vs COLLINGWOOD
Friday 7 July, 3:05pm, Avalon Airport Oval
Head-to-head: Footscray 11-8. At Avalon Airport Oval: Never Met. Streak: Collingwood 2
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: C. Clarke (8), J. Busslinger (5), N. Drummond (51)
HB: J. Bruce (17), H. Gallagher (12), L. Cleary (36)
C: R. McComb (27), L. Sullivan (53), O. Baker (13)
HF: D. Bedendo (26), B. Khamis (24), R. Garcia (38)
F: C. Raak (40), A. Jones (32), S. Darcy (10)
R: J. Sweet (41), J. Chatfield (52), J. Garner (55)
INT: E. MacPherson (67), E. Hunt (72), S. Willoughby (73), J. Gilbee (69), C. Smith (74)*
EMG: C. MacIsaac (56), J. Kellett (57), K. Stretton (66), J. Patullo (71), C. Craig-Peters (61), C. Lewis (60), D. Orgill (50)
IN: H. Gallagher, R. Garcia
OUT: D. Orgill, C. MacIsaac
COLLINGWOOD
B: J. Ryan (24), J.Eyre (59), T. Ruscoe (21)
HB: N. Jetta (54), L. Tardrew (51), W. Kelly (20)
C: A. Draper (19), J. Carmichael (45), T. Bianco (8)
HF: J. Richards (29), J. Ginnivan (33), T. Wilson (12)
F: H. Harrison (36), R. McInnes (26), O. Steene (44)
R: A. Begg (39), E. Allan (16), F. Macrae (18)
INT: C. Murley (27), R. Penny (62)*, T. Wilson (56), D. McStay (11), C. Hustwaite (55)
EMG: C. Lane (48), L. Purcell (65), C. Mulvogue (68), J. Tomasiello (61), J. Booth (53), V. Blackmore-Moore (49), C. Maxted (66), J. Longmire (57)
IN: H. Harrison, D. McStay
OUT: A. Johnson (AFL), N. Krueger (concussion)
UMPIRES
FIELD: 18.Jack Howard, 26.Jordyn Pearson, 28.Josh Ball. BOUNDARY: Sam Beer, Liam Pain, Chris Williams. GOAL: Georgie Henderson, Brad Kellett.
