Collingwood has made one change for Thursday night’s Round 21 clash with the Geelong Cats at the MCG.
Forward Lachie Schultz will make his return from the ankle injury he sustained in the Magpies’ Round 18 win over North Melbourne.
Fresh off welcoming his first-born son, Archie, Schultz will make his 18th appearance for the season and will be keen to add to his current tally of 21 goals.
The elite pressure forward will also be gunning to reclaim his status as the number one for inside 50 tackles, as he currently sits two tackles behind the top spot.
Vice-Captain Brayden Maynard will miss the match after sustaining a knee injury in the Pies’ Round 20 win over Adelaide.
The defender had scans which cleared him of any structural damage and he will undergo a minor procedure to his pes anserinus. He is expected to return to play in three to four weeks.
Midfielders Sam Swadling and Lachie Sullivan and forward Mitch Podhajski are the Pies’ emergencies for the clash.
Veteran Steele Sidebottom is set to play game 372, drawing level with Adam Goodes into 13th position on the VFL/AFL games played list.
Thursday night’s clash will be the 245th clash between the two sides. The ledger is in Collingwood’s favour with 136 wins, 107 losses and one draw.
The two teams last met in Round 9, with the Cats handing the Pies a 54-point loss – the Pies' equal-largest loss of 2026 so far.
Collingwood fans will enjoy a new-look pre-game experience under lights at the MCG on Thursday night. In a league-first, both clubs will be welcomed onto the field and run through their banners in the final few minutes before the opening bounce.
Fans can expect an entertaining spectacle, so make sure to secure your ticket and be seated by 7:15pm (AEST) to experience it all.
The match is set for Thursday night at the MCG, with the first ball-up at 7:30pm (AEST). The game will be broadcast live on 7, 7plus, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports.
Match details
Collingwood v Geelong
Thursday 30 July
7:30pm (AEST)
MCG, Wurundjeri
