Ben Crocker will line up in Pies colours for the first time in 1724 days on Sunday as the Club’s VFL side takes on Carlton in Round Three.

The forward – who played 26 games for the Club between 2016-19 – is part of four inclusions for the game at Ikon Park.

AFL-listed players Finlay Macrae and Oscar Steene will play their first games at VFL level for 2024, while defender Cooper Macdonald will make his Club debut.

The game will be Crocker’s 87^th at VFL level – with his first 41 games played in the black and white while on the AFL list.

He has since played three seasons with Carlton and will line up against his old side straight away for his first game of 2024.

Macrae – who has played three AFL matches so far this year – will take his place in a strong midfield that includes Ned Long, and Ed Allan.

Steene will assume his position in the ruck alongside comrade Aiden Begg, having overcome a facial fracture that doubled with concussion in a practice match last month.

Making way for the quartet is injured duo Jakob Ryan and Sam Sofronidis, as well as VFL-listed players Chad Mulvogue and Liam Purcell.

Ryan injured his hand at AFL training last week and is expected to miss several weeks, while Sofronidis will miss due to a foot injury.

In: Ben Crocker, Cooper Macdonald, Finlay Macrae, Oscar Steene

Out: Chad Mulvogue, Liam Purcell, Jakob Ryan, Sam Sofronidis

Sunday, April 14

Carlton v Collingwood

Ikon Park, Wurundjeri

2:05pm (AEST)