Collingwood have successfully completed their second match simulation session of the 2026 pre-season, with the Pies going head-to-head with the Roos on Saturday morning.
Playing in two 20-minute quarters, the Pies took advantage of the hitout against reigning premiers North Melbourne at their home of Arden Street to put themselves into a good position heading into their Round 1 clash against Richmond on 15 August.
The young Pies kept up with the mature Roos
Ruling the competition for the last two seasons, a hitout with North Melbourne always present with a daunting challenge.
Facing the challenge front on, AFLW Senior Coach Sam Wright’s young Pies weren’t afraid to put up a fight against the Roos.
Showcasing a highly physical and pressure-inducing game style, Collingwood came away just -2 for centre clearances and -1 for inside 50s.
While connection amongst the Pies’ forwards still needed some fleshing out with the feature of news faces such as draftees Mischa Barwin and Josie Bamford, former North Melbourne tall Ari Hetherington, Mattea Breed and Captain Ruby Schleicher, there was plenty to be impressed with on the eve of Collingwood’s 11th AFLW campaign.
Schleicher up forward gives a whole new look
After spending most of her career in the midfield, Schleicher had a taste of the forward line in the back half of the 2025 season.
With the move looking to be a more permanent rostering for the Captain in 2026, Schleicher’s competitiveness on the ground and in the air provides Collingwood more options inside 50.
Pairing that with her strong hands and roosting kick, there’ll be plenty to excite the Magpie Army this season.
Father-daughter’s selflessness on full display
With pre-season scratch matches providing a valuable opportunity for coaches to shift the magnets before the start of the season, Saturday morning gave the Pies a new look for the backline.
Young Pie and daughter of former Collingwood player Stephen, Violet Patterson's mid-game shift to the half-back showed there’s plenty of versatility in the young winger’s game.
Patterson’s quick pace along with her aggressiveness one-on-one helped to break up multiple North Melbourne chains in the defensive half, adding another string to the 20-year-old's bow ahead of her second AFLW season.
Collingwood will now turn their attention to next week’s practice match against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Friday 24 July at 2pm AEST (12pm AWST), with all the action set to be streamed live and free on Collingwoodfc.com.au.
