AFL football returns tonight, with a gladiatorial contest between Collingwood and Geelong.
Four Queenslanders will turn out in the first NAB Challenge match at Simonds Stadium, all for Collingwood, with Dayne Beams, Jesse White, Lachlan Keeffe and Peter Yagmoor in the Pies’ 26-man team.
It will be the first chance for Collingwood fans to have a glimpse of White in action for the Pies, after he was traded from the Swans in the off-season.
White will likely play a supporting role to Travis Cloke, backing up the Pies spearhead in the forward line, but has also in the past shown ability to play in the ruck when required.
With Brownlow medallist, Dane Swan, out of the side tonight, the stage is set for the Gold Coast’s Beams to take centre stage in the Collingwood midfield.
Beams had a strong finish to 2013, after a delayed start to the year, and will hope to capitalise on a full pre-season with a strong game against the Cats.
Keeffe’s pre-season couldn’t be any more different to 2013, when he was recovering from a knee reconstruction.
The key position player will be looking to cement a regular spot in the side, building on the eight consecutive games he played to finish last season off, and tonight’s match against the Cats will be a vital chance for him to further his cause.
Yagmoor spent 2013 on Collingwood’s rookie list, but showed form, finishing fourth in the VFL side’s best and fairest.
A reliable defender in that side, Yagmoor will be looking to impress in the pre-season competition, giving himself the best chance to add to his two AFL games from 2012.
The Pies will take on a strong Cats side, with top-liners like Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson, Corey Enright and Harry Taylor all named in the 29-man squad earlier this week.
The action kicks off at 7pm AEDT on Fox Footy.
