Collingwood is set to bolster its defensive lineup with the timely returns of key players Jeremy Howe and Billy Frampton ahead of their crucial match against Hawthorn. The clash, scheduled for Thursday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), is pivotal for both teams as they vie for a spot in the top four of the AFL standings.
Howe and Frampton, who have been sidelined with injuries, will face Hawthorn’s imposing tall forward structure featuring Mabior Chol, Calsher Dear, Jack Gunston, and Mitch Lewis. In addition to these defensive reinforcements, veteran midfielder Tom Mitchell will also return for Collingwood. The team will, however, be without small forward Bobby Hill, who is unavailable due to illness, and they have dropped Charlie Dean and Oleg Markov from the lineup.
The Hawks will be missing star defender Will Day, who is out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, while Harry Morrison is also sidelined due to a quad injury. Veteran forward Luke Breust and defender Changkuoth Jiath will take their places in the lineup.
Collingwood enters this match after losing three of their last four games, which has resulted in them slipping to second place in the standings. Their position was further challenged by Adelaide’s recent victory over Hawthorn, allowing the Crows to take the top spot. A win for Collingwood is essential to solidify their top-four position, while Hawthorn is similarly looking to rebound and secure a finals berth.
The absence of Howe has been notably felt in Collingwood’s defensive structure. Commentator Nathan Buckley emphasized that Howe is “the glue that holds together their defence.” His return, alongside Frampton, is expected to provide significant support to captain and fellow tall defender Darcy Moore, who has been struggling with form.
On the opposing side, Hawks captain James Sicily has regained his form in recent weeks, emerging as a key factor for Hawthorn. Buckley highlighted how Harris Andrews, a tall defender for Brisbane, effectively thwarted Collingwood’s attacks in their last game. Sicily, with his similar style of play, poses a considerable threat as he looks to intercept Collingwood’s offensive kicks.
Coach Sam Mitchell acknowledged the importance of Sicily’s role, stating, “When Sic plays his best footy, he does dictate a lot of the game.” He expressed confidence in Sicily’s ability to create challenges for the opposition while also recognizing the difficulties posed by Collingwood’s matchups.
As the teams prepare for this highly anticipated encounter, the tactical battle between the Magpies and the Hawks promises to be a focal point for fans and analysts alike. With significant implications for the finals race, this matchup is expected to deliver high stakes and exciting football.
