Collingwood are set to take on Essendon in the traditional Anzac-weekend clash at ETU Stadium at 7:10pm on Saturday night.

VFL Head Coach Andy Otten has made three changes to the side that lost by a point to Brisbane in Round 4, with Mason Cox and Chad Mulvogue coming into the side along with VFL debutant Isaiah Markovsky.

Finlay Macrae will miss due to injury, while Harrison Kennedy and Angus Sievers has been omitted.

It will be the 11th time the two sides have faced on Anzac-weekend in 12 years, with the 2020 season having been abandoned due to COVID.

Having won two of the last three Anzac-weekend clashes with the Bombers, the Pies will look to get another in the win after their 12-point loss in 2024.

Young 2024 AFL draftee Will Hayes will look to back up his impressive Round 4 performance where he had 14 disposals to go along with his three-goal haul. Fellow draftee Charlie West has also been consistent, having booted a total of nine goals in his first three games in the black and white.

It will also be the first time the Pies will play under lights in 2025, and the first to be broadcast live and free on 7mate and 7plus. The game will also be streamed online via Collingwoodfc.com.au.

Harrison Kennedy, Michael Kiraly, Conor Willis, Ryan Eyre, Angus Seivers, Cooper MacDonald, and Boston Dowling will be the emergencies.

Smithy’s VFL Round 5
Essendon v Collingwood
ETU Stadium, Melbourne – Wurundjeri
7:10pm (AEST)