Collingwood will begin their 2024 AFL Season in a Saturday night showdown at GIANTS Stadium in Sydney.

As part of the AFL’s inaugural ‘Opening Round’, the clash will be one of four games to take place in New South Wales and Queensland this weekend.

After a memorable 2023 Preliminary Final that saw the Magpies run out one-point winners, a hard fought and intense clash is expected at GIANTS Stadium.

Last time they met

In one of the games of the year, the Magpies signature game management shone through in front of 97,665 at the MCG in last years Preliminary Final.

Collingwood key forward Dan McStay booted two goals before injuring his knee late in the game, an injury that would later see him ruled out of the following week’s Grand Final.

Jordan De Goey was at his explosive best, with 34 disposals, 607 metres gained and six score involvements, while Jeremy Howe was pivotal in the air taking 10 marks.

The Magpies overcame a 10-point deficit at half-time thanks to clearance dominance, leading the statistic 44 to 26 for the match.

01:58

Top 5: Preliminary Final v GWS GIANTS

The Top 5 moments of brilliance in our Preliminary Final victory over GWS, delivered by KFC.

In’s and out’s

The AFL debut of Charlie Dean and Club debut of Lachie Schultz highlight Collingwood’s side for the clash.

Key defender Dean debuts 834 days after being drafted, missing close to two years of football due to recurring foot injuries. The 23-year-old Dean was selected by the Magpies at Pick two in the 2021 Rookie Draft. The 195cm tall Dean won the Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal in 2021 for the VFL’s most promising young talent, after a standout season for Williamstown.

Schultz plays after crossing from Fremantle in the 2023 Trade Period. The 26-year-old booted 33 goals last season, including five in the Western Derby.

Also coming into Collingwood’s side is John Noble and Ash Johnson. Noble will play his first game in the black and white since Round 24, 2023, while Johnson runs out for the first time since Round 2, 2023.

The full team news can be found here.

04:08

Charlie Dean's special news

834 days since he was drafted, Charlie Dean finds out he will be making his AFL debut in front of the team. He then calls his family to share the news.

Opening in style

The inaugural Opening Round sees Collingwood and three other Victorian clubs in Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond head north to play four matches in prime-time slots to kick off the season. The Pies Saturday night clash with the GIANTS will close off the Round after Sydney and Melbourne played last night, Brisbane and Carlton play tonight and Gold Coast and Richmond go head to head tomorrow afternoon.

Key players to watch

Aside from the debutants, the Opening Round clash will the first opportunity for the Magpie Army to see reigning Copeland Trophy Winner Josh Daicos in full flight. The 25-year-old had an interrupted pre-season due to a leg injury, and only played limited minutes in last week’s Practice Match against Richmond.

John Noble returns after being omitted from Collingwood’s side before last year’s Finals series. The 26-year-old will add to his 92-game tally when he runs out onto GIANTS Stadium on Saturday night.

00:54

Noble takes flight in Match Simulation

Collingwood defender John Noble takes to the skies, taking an aerial mark in the last quarter of Collingwood's Match Simulation against North Melbourne.

Take in the action

The match will be broadcast live Channel Seven, Fox Footy and kayosports.com.au. For local broadcast information, visit the AFL website.

The Magpie Army can stay connected with the team via the Official Collingwood website and social media channels. Visit collingwoodfc.com.au, @collingwood_fc on Instagram and threads @collingwoodfc on X (formerly Twitter), Collingwood Football Club on Facebook and YouTube for a range of behind-the-scenes content, the latest news and more.

Game details:

Collingwood V GWS GIANTS
GIANTS Stadium, Wangal
Saturday March 9, 7:30pm (AEDT)