Collingwood has named its team for Friday night’s Wildcard Final clash with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
Experienced pair Patrick Lipinski and Isaac Quaynor are set to return to the side after recovering from injury.
Lipinski‘s in line to face the team he played 56 games for between 2017-2021 and his first since suffering a minor calf strain in the Pies’ Round 21 loss to Geelong.
Deployed mainly as a half-forward in 2026, the 28-year-old is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 6.4 score involvements – the most since arriving at the Pies in 2022. He’s also averaging 20.2 disposals – the most since his 2022 season when he played mostly through the midfield.
Quaynor missed last week’s loss to Brisbane with a minor glute issue and will be a much-needed reinforcement in defence, ranking elite for one-percenters (3.7) and spoils (2.9) through the 2026 season.
V/AFL games record holder Scott Pendlebury will miss the clash after he sustained a hamstring injury in last Friday’s game against the Lions. The midfielder has commenced a running program and is expected to be available in two to three weeks.
Mid-season draftee Liam Puncher has been omitted for the clash. The defender has played every game since he made his debut in the Pies’ Round 17 win over Gold Coast.
Puncher, midfielder Lachie Sullivan and forward Mitch Podhajski have been named as Collingwood’s emergencies for the match.
In the absence of Captain Darcy Moore and Vice-Captain Brayden Maynard, Nick Daicos will assume the Pies’ captaincy duties.
In what will be his last finals campaign, Steele Sidebottom is set to play his 29th final, drawing level with Wayne Schimmelbusch, Leigh Matthews, Mark Blicavs & Bruce Doull in equal ninth position on the VFL/AFL finals played list.
While much has been said of Collingwood’s experience, there are several Pies set to make their finals debut on Friday night. Midfielder Ed Allan, defender Sam Swadling and forwards Harvey Harrison, Angus Anderson, Will Hayes and Charlie West have been selected to play their first finals match.
Friday night will be the 165th time the two sides have met since the Dogs joined the VFL in 1925. The ledger’s in the Pies’ favour, currently sitting at 112-1-51.
Ahead of just the seventh finals meeting between the teams, Collingwood holds a strong advantage with five wins. Their only loss to the Dogs in finals was in the 2006 Elimination Final.
The last final between the teams was the 2010 Elimination Final, where Collingwood defeated the Dogs by 62 points. That night, a 19-year-old Sidebottom kicked three goals, Pendlebury collected 30 disposals and two goals, and Collingwood Assistant Coach Matthew Boyd had 29 disposals playing for the Dogs.
The two teams last met in Round 12 at Marvel Stadium, with the Bulldogs prevailing by four points (97 to 93). It continued a string of close finishes between the teams, with the last four matches all decided by 18 points or less. The results have ping-ponged in this time, with both teams winning two each.
The match is set for Friday night at Marvel Stadium, with the first ball-up at 7:40pm (AEST). The game will be broadcast live on 7, 7+, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports.
Match details
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
Friday 28 August
7:40pm (AEST)
MCG, Wurundjeri
The Magpie Mega Draw is here and it's HUGE! There’s over $170,000 in prizes. Tickets are just $25.
