A strong VFL Magpies will descend on the MCG on Saturday morning, with 14 AFL-listed players named to take on the Northern Blues in a curtain raiser for the Collingwood-Carlton game.

Collingwood’s VFL contingent will be looking to respond strongly against the Blues, after a disappointing 32-point loss to Williamstown last Sunday.

Tyson Goldsack, Adam Oxley, Sam Dwyer, Jarrod Witts and Paul Seedsman didn’t play against the Seagulls, but all will add valuable experience to the Magpies squad.

Goldsack has played just 11 VFL games for the Magpies in his nine year career at the club. After withdrawing from Collingwood’s AFL side last weekend, he has this week been named in the back pocket of the VFL side, while remaining on standby as an AFL emergency.

Dwyer and Witts join him as emergencies, with one of the three expected to be held over while the VFL side play.

Soaking up the experience of playing alongside AFL players on the MCG will be 18-year-old David Mennen.

A defender and wingman for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup, Mennen has been named Collingwood’s 23rd man.

Originally from Benella, Mennen got his first taste of the black and white when he played in two practice matches with the Magpies earlier in the season.

While a place in the top four is on the line for Collingwood, the Northern Blues will be playing for pride on Saturday morning.

Carlton’s VFL affiliate have won just four games in 2015 and suffered a demoralising 112-point loss at the hands of North Ballarat last weekend.

The Blues are likely to once again benefit from the services of Carlton forward Andrew Walker, however will need more standout performances on the big stage of the MCG.

The exposure stemming from the curtain raiser provides an exciting opportunity for the VFL Magpies, with the clash against the Blues taking place on the hallowed turf as preparations for the AFL’s multicultural round reach their climax.

A delayed telecast of the game will be aired by Channel 7 at 12pm. As always, live commentary of the game will be provided by Collingwood Media.

Collingwood v Northern Blues
Round 17, 2015
Saturday 8 August
MCG, 10:16am

Collingwood squad
B: Tyson Goldsack, Adam Oxley, Matthew Goodyear
HB: Jeremy Taylor, Ryan Pendlebury, Michael Manteit
C: Tony Armstrong, Ben Kennedy, Clinton Young
HF: Jesse White, Mason Cox, Corey Gault
F: Sam Dwyer, Patrick Karnezis, Ash Close
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Ben Moloney, Paul Seedsman
Int (from): Gus Borthwick, Jack Blair, Nick Gray, Jack Hellier, Callum Matheson, David Mennen, Ben Monkhorst, Jesse Wallin, Jake Williams