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Former Pie could make West Coast debut as Collingwood lose more than 1000 games of experience for Eagles clash

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Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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Collingwood have lost 1258 games of experience from their side that will take on West Coast this Sunday, with AFL games record holder Scott Pendlebury one of five injured players.

It comes as Finlay Macrae is a chance to make his Eagles debut against his former side after being named in the extended squad to take on Magpies at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Pendlebury — who has played a record 440 matches — was a shock out from the side which will travel to Perth for the first time this year because of a corked calf, compounding an already injury-hit outfit.

In-form midfielder Jordan De Goey will also miss with a glute injury, while important defender Jeremy Howe (fractured arm) as well as Patrick Lipinski (calf) and Harry Perryman (hamstring) have all come out of the team which lost to Geelong last Thursday night.

Earlier on Thursday, Collingwood named 2025 mid-season draftee Noah Howes to make his debut, bolstering the depleted Magpies’ backline which is already without captain Darcy Moore (hamstring) and vice-captain Brayden Maynard (knee/hamstring).

West Perth product Sam Swadling is one of seven potential other inclusions alongside former Falcons wingman Roan Steele, Claremont small forward Will Hayes as well as potential debutant Harry DeMattia, Jakob Ryan, Lachlan Sullivan, Harvey Harrison and Wil Parker.

The Game NRL 2026

The eight potential inclusions tally only 73 games’ experience between them.

Swadling comes into calculations after he racked up 40 touches and nine clearances to push for his first appearance since round 19.

“Definitely he’s in the mix, you can’t ignore his form. He was really unlucky to go out of the team,” Collingwood senior assistant Hayden Skipworth said.

“I think he got 40 possessions again for an 18-year-old kid which is quite remarkable.

“His ball use as well, he doesn’t get the junky touches, he takes the ball forward, he can kick left and right, he’s got great hands around contest.

“He’s had a super first year and we’ve been lucky to find him some games and hopefully we can get him some more games in the back end of the year.”

The Eagles will make at least two changes from the team which was beaten by the previously 18th Richmond at the MCG last week, with key backman Sandy Brock and out-of-contract small forward Harvey Johnston both dropped.

WAFL match between WCE and Swan Districts at Mineral Resources Park. Number 45 for WCE Finlay Macrae.
Camera IconWAFL match between WCE and Swan Districts at Mineral Resources Park. Number 45 for WCE Finlay Macrae. Credit: Sandra Jackson/The West Australian

Co-captain Liam Baker returns after missing the past two games — the first through suspension and the second because of a calf complaint.

Macrae has been rewarded for his solid form in the WAFL, having averaged 32 disposals across the past two games to force his way into the mix.

The 24-year-old was one of three mature-age players alongside Deven Robertson (Brisbane) and Harry Schoenberg (Adelaide) that the Eagles recruited using their three extra rookie spots they were granted last year as part of an AFL assistance package.

Josh Lindsay, Eagles training at Mineral Resources Park
Camera IconJosh Lindsay, Eagles training at Mineral Resources Park Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

Macrae had played 21 games for the Magpies in five years before he was delisted at the end of last year, having not played one game in 2025.

First-round draftee Josh Lindsay, as well as second-year forward Tom Gross and wingman Hamish Davis, are also all in line for recalls after they were named on the extended bench.

Both teams will be cut to the final 23 on Friday afternoon.

West Coast v Collingwood

Sunday, Optus Stadium, 2.10pm

EAGLES

B: B Starcevich R Bazzo B Hough

HB: L Baker T Young M Herbert

C: L Duggan E Yeo B Allan

HF: W Duursma J Shanahan J Graham

F: M Murdock J Waterman C Duff-Tytler

FOLL: B Williams H Reid T Kelly

I/C: J Lindsay T McCarthy R Maric T Gross T Cole J Williams H Davis F Macrae

IN: L Baker J Lindsay T Gross H Davis F Macrae

OUT: S Brock H Johnston (both omitted)

MAGPIES

B: B Frampton N Howes L Puncher

HB: I Quaynor J Daicos D Houston

C: S Sidebottom N Long J Crisp

HF: L Schultz D McStay B McCreery

F: C West A Anderson T Membrey

FOLL: D Cameron E Allan N Daicos

I/C: H DeMattia W Parker J Ryan S Swadling L Sullivan H Harrison W Hayes R Steele

IN: N Howes H DeMattia W Parker J Ryan S Swadling L Sullivan W Hayes R Steele

OUT: J De Goey (glute) J Howe (fractured arm) P Lipinski (calf) H Perryman (hamstring) S Pendlebury (calf)

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