Collingwood ruck Oscar Steene will make his long-awaited AFL debut this Friday night when the Pies take on the GWS GIANTS at Marvel Stadium.
Hailing from South Australia, the 201cm tall arrived at the Club in the 2022 off-season to trial for an Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) spot for the following season.
Steene impressed that summer to earn his place on the Magpies' list - ironically at the expense Oleg Markov who he had been trialling alongside for the spot, before Markov earned a late reprieve a few weeks later.
Now in his fourth season in black and white since officially signing on in February of 2023, Steene will take his first step onto an AFL field in Round 3 as the Pies return from the bye.
He hit the ground running in 2023 with 18 VFL appearances and frequently hit the scoreboard from the ruck, however his development was scuppered by dislocating his toe in 2024 which saw his notch only one game for the year.
After rehabbing strongly and putting on significant size, Steene returned to the field in 2025 and led the Club's VFL side as the number one ruck.
Through 18 games, the former West Adelaide big man took his game to new heights and was on the cusp of an AFL debut at various stages last season.
While the Pies' VFL campaign hasn't even kicked off yet in 2026, Steene has shown enough across the pre-season to receive his maiden AFL call up in what will be his first official match of the year on Friday night.
He'll work in tandem with reigning Copeland Trophy winner Darcy Cameron to form a formidable ruck duo for the black and white as they take on the 13th-placed GIANTS.
Having signed on until the end of 2027 midway through last year, Steene's stocks have continued to rise as he now takes the first step in his AFL journey.
Magpie Army, there is a BIG BIG ticket offer for you when Collingwood take on the GIANTS this Friday night! Remaining Level 1 & 3 tickets are just $27! Plus enjoy $3 hot pies and $8 Carlton Dry 3.5 pre-game! T&Cs apply.
