Collingwood's first matchplay of 2026 has been completed on Friday morning as they hosted Carlton in Match Simulation Training for three periods of 20 minutes.
A host of positional switches and plenty of new names made for a new look Magpies unit after an off-season of change ahead of Senior Coach Sam Wright’s third-year in charge.
A move to defence paid immediate dividends for third-year Pie Kalinda Howarth, who racked up the ball in the first period as the black and white weathered a Carlton onslaught to start the game.
Airlie Runnalls was deployed through the midfield with immediate success, with her calm head and brilliant skill execution standing out in the dewy conditions, as she linked up with Howarth consistently.
Former Netballer Maisie Nankivell was another that impressed, imposing herself on the contest in the backline. Through strong tackling and pressure, the recruit showed teammates and opposition alike it wasn't going to take her long to find her feet again at AFLW level, after previously playing with Adelaide in 2019.
After spending the first 10 minutes on the bench, 2024 number one pick Ash Centra began to insert herself on the match with a set shot that bashed into the post one the Pies’ best look in front of goal for the second period.
While it didn’t always pay off, things were happening when Centra was around the ball, helping the black and white control elements of the half and the majority of the second period.
A late goal to skipper Ruby Schleicher saw the Pies put their first on the board for the day, courtesy of some quick play as the second period wound down. They would concede a goal late, however it was a period of significant ball domination for the black and white in encouraging signs.
Schleicher had her second from a lovely set shot in only the second minute of the third period, however Carlton controlled the third term from there on in.
The ball being in the Pies’ back half did allow Tarni White to flourish, however. Coming off the back of a second place finish in last year’s Best & Fairest, the former Saint has firmly embedded herself in the Pies’ top echelon of players and looks primed for another strong season.
The first hit out had no scores kept, however provided a first step on the 2026 journey for a number of Pies.
The rest of the Magpies’ Fridays in July are jam-packed with pre-season tune ups as well, with next week’s fixture seeing them take on North Melbourne in another Match Simulation Training.
They’ll travel to Perth to take on the West Coast Eagles the week after in their Official Practice Match, while they’ll close out the month with a final Match Simulation Training against the Western Bulldogs.
