Collingwood’s VFL side will feature just seven AFL-listed players as they face Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.

Jack Buller and Mitch Podhajski will man the forward line along with ruckman Harrison Coe, while talented small forward Jai Saxena will play at half forward flank.

Tyan Prindable will start in the midfield alongside VFL recruit Wil Phillips.

Defender Jakob Ryan will hold down the fort in the backline along with key tall Iliro Smit, who has shifted to the backline following Noah Howes’ impending AFL debut on Sunday.

Howes, who has impressed as a key defender in his 2026 VFL campaign, has finally earned his opportunity after joining the Pies in the 2025 mid-season draft.

Along with Howes, coming out of the side is Sam Swadling, Lachie Sullivan, Will Hayes and Roan Steele who have been recalled to the AFL side as they face the Eagles in Perth, while Harry DeMattia and Wil Parker will travel as emergencies.

Second-year Pie Joel Cochran will miss through injury.

Zavier Maher, Harry Kennedy, Michael Lewis, Harry Mahoney, Jake Watts, Xavier Laverty, Luke Quaynor and Gippsland Power Clancy Snell round out the inclusions, with Snell set to make his VFL debut.

Ben De Bolfo, Liam Hude, Nick Thompson, Rod Ali and Hamish Collins will serve as emergencies for the clash.

Fresh off the back of an impressive 28-point win over VFL minor premiers Geelong, Collingwood will hope to go four in a row in Saturday’s clash with Essendon.

The clash is set to be broadcast on ABC live and free from 12pm AEST, while also streamed on Collingwoodfc.com.au.

Smithy’s VFL Round 20
Essendonv Collingwood
Saturday 8 August, 12:05pm (AEST)
Windy Hill, Essendon (Wurundjeri)