Thomas returns to face the Cats (Team Named)

[wixism]

After a strong performance on the weekend, Collingwood has made only one change ahead of its Thursday night match against Geelong.

Dale Thomas has recovered from his bout with gastro and will return to the team. The Magpie star had 21 possessions, five marks and four tackles against Adelaide in round one and will be a welcome inclusion into the Collingwood line-up.

Dayne Beams, who made his AFL debut last week for Thomas, has maintained his spot in the side. The 19-year-old looked comfortable at the AFL level against Melbourne collecting 18 possessions in the midfield.

Defender Alan Toovey has been omitted from the side.

Veteran forward Anthony Rocca was close to selection and has been named as an emergency along with Anthony Corrie and Alan Toovey.

Geelong will go into the contest without ruckman Brad Ottens, who sustained a knee injury last weekend against Richmond and will be forced to miss the next month.

2009 AFL Round 3
Geelong v Collingwood
Thursday 9 April
MCG, 7:40 pm

Collingwood
B: Shannon Cox, Simon Prestigiacomo, Heath Shaw
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell (c)
C: Martin Clarke, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas
HF: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: John Anthony, Leigh Brown, Shane O’Bree
Foll: Josh Fraser, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Leon Davis, Ben Johnson, Dane Swan, Brad Dick

Emg: Anthony Corrie, Anthony Rocca, Alan Toovey

In: Dale Thomas
Out: Alan Toovey (omitted)

Geelong
B: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Max Rooke
C: Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Cameron Ling
HF: James Kelly, Cameron Mooney, Mathew Stokes
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
Int: Trent West, Shannon Byrnes, Travis Varcoe, David Wojcinski

Emg: Ryan Gamble, David Johnson, Tom Lonergan

In: Trent West, Shannon Byrnes, Matthew Stokes
Out: Brad Ottens (knee), Simon Hogan (general soreness), Ryan Gamble (omitted)

 

[mattys123]

Rocca as emergency, hmm, I smell something cooking.

Toovey had to be dropped, was in our worst 2-3 players, while Leigh Brown and Dick deserve at least one more chance.

Glad Thomas is back, he loves the cats too.

 

[wixism]

Pretty Happy that Toovey is out and Dale Thomas back
Surprised that Wood or Bryan were not named
Wonder if that had anything to do with Ottens not playing
AND BEAMS IS IN

 

[Bloben]

Interesting....

No second ruckman again with L Brown remaining in the side. Also Rocca being named as an emergency. To me if he is fit then he is in the team. If he isn't fit then he shouldn't be an emergency. Are we doing a shifty and Brown and Rocca swap places tomorrow?

 

[Optimax]

if its dry dick out rocca in come game day

 

[Xx_Toomey_xX]

Good to see Toovey out he is hopeless. Also good to see they have kept in Beames he looks like a good player. What i am looking foward to later in the season is Steel Sidebottom playing we are really struggling in our midfield.

 

[DNine]

Rocca to play surely. Leigh Brown was terrible last week, and look way out of his depth and slow. Either that or Malthouse has lost his mind. Would perfer to see Reid, Dawes, Stanley or Sidebottom on emergency rather than Corrie and Toovey. Seems they see things differently down at the club.

 

[Dave The Man]

Very Happy with that and I tip a Late Change as L Brown is Left Out for Rocca

 

[Dave The Man]

Pretty Happy that Toovey is out and Dale Thomas back
Surprised that Wood or Bryan were not named
Wonder if that had anything to do with Ottens not playing
AND BEAMS IS IN

Well Fraser played his best game since God Know When Rucking himself so they must decided to keep going with Fraser as the lone Ruck and Ottens Injury would of helped

 

[RRRooocccaaa]

Very Happy with that and I tip a Late Change as L Brown is Left Out for Rocca

I reckon yer right Dave. Dickie bird needs to be kept in for pace, youthful exuberance and a big passion for tackling

 

[Soups]

Well Fraser played his best game since God Know When Rucking himself so they must decided to keep going with Fraser as the lone Ruck and Ottens Injury would of helped

Fraser did play very well last week and I think it's good of Mick letting him do it again by himself. He only really has to ruck againt Blake who has the same ability in hitouts but Fraser will run rings around him around the ground. That leaves L. Brown to take young West. So I think it's a very good move.

Would like to see Rocca come in and take out Scarlett again like last year. Means JA will find it easier to kick goals and Trav to have a very good battle with Taylor who has improved out of sight.

 

[Bloben]

Does anyone know what Geelong's side is yet?

 

[abs_of_STEELE]

C'mon, Rocca must be a late inclusion. IMO if he plays we will win, if he doesn't we will lose.

 

[abs_of_STEELE]

Does anyone know what Geelong's side is yet?

It's right below our team.

 

[Bloben]

It's right below our team.

Ah... thanks

 

[HFF]

So far we have done well at the selection table with Daisy in and Toovey finally out.

Rocca looms as a surprise late-call up.

However, WTF is up with Corrie and Toovey as emergencies?

Would much rather see Rusty, Reid, Goldy, Wood, Cook or Stanley as emergencies.

Seems the club has different ideas.

 

[well left]

Must say that I am surprised that it was Toovey to make way. Surprised but pleasantly surprised.

You'd think Rocca would come in for someone....probably one of Dick or the Browns.

Just noted that I was also dropped from the BF team for this week. That must make me the Toovey of the board

 

[Soups]

Stanley not in again. Big surprise there! Not even in the emergencies.

 

[Porkaspies09]

wtf rocca should be in before leigh brown how mant kicks did he have last week, i would be very happy if there is a very late inclusion tomorow

 

[wixism]

Picture of the Collingwood Team for tomorrow night

 

[well left]

Anyone else find it weird that we continually name O'Bree in a forward pocket?

I know it's only on paper but it just looks wrong.

 

[wixism]

Anyone else find it weird that we continually name O'Bree in a forward pocket?

I know it's only on paper but it just looks wrong.

Don't you find it weird how our bench is always full of stars
Leon and Swan were named on the bench last week as well

 

[didak legend]

i'm REALLY liking the looks of our team now. are we a chance, or will geelong prove they are the dominant team in the afl for 2009???
i know we flogged them last year,, but that will meen nothing come tomoro nite.

my tip: pies by 8pts!!! jack to kick a bag, while leon picks up B.O.G

 

[DoubleO7]

Where did you obtain that image from, wixism?

 

[irish pie]

mm has the dick in