COLLINGWOOD will be without three key players for Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG as Ben Reid, Nick Maxwell and Tyson Goldsack have all been ruled out.
Reid, who hasn’t played yet this season was slated to make his long-awaited return against the Hawks after making a successful return in the VFL two weeks ago.
But a training mishap, in which he suffered a quad injury on the eve of his second game back, has ruled him out.
Collingwood’s Director of Football, Rodney Eade confirmed the Pies’ swingman will miss Saturday’s clash on Monday.
“He just felt a little twinge. It’s a 2-3 week injury at this stage, so it’s really minor in scale but we’re just going to be cautious with him,” Eade told the Collingwood website.
His unavailability is a big blow to the Magpies, who would have hoped to regain the swingman to help add potency to the forward line and strength to the backline if needed.
An All-Australian defender in 2011 after a breakout year in 2010, Reid was trialled up forward for the first time last year since playing a handful of games as a forward target when he first arrived at the club.
Reid kicked 25 goals in half a year as a forward in 2013, impressing both on the lead and in his ability to take contested marks.
With young defenders Jack Frost and Lachlan Keeffe holding down key position spots in defence in the absence of Reid and fellow premiership full back Nathan Brown (shoulder), Reid would have added to the Pies ability to stop Hawthorn’s star-studded forward line that features Jarryd Roughead, David Hale and will hopefully re-gain Jack Gunston.
Fellow swingman Goldsack, who has played both forward and back this season has also been ruled out with a knee injury.
Goldsack missed Sunday’s loss to Western Bulldogs with the injury sustained against the Demons on Queen’s Birthday and has been ruled out by the Pies for the clash against the Hawks.
The agile utility is a big loss for the Pies, with Goldsack the leading tackler in the competition for his size.
At 193cm, Goldsack is extremely quick for his size and plays as a small because of his athleticism.
He is ranked third at Collingwood for tackles, averaging 5.6 per game.
Goldsack would have also potentially played down back to add experience to the Pies’ young defence.
Former skipper Maxwell, who has re-captured his 2010 form as a key player across Collingwood’s half backline also won’t play.
Maxwell is having his best year since he led the Pies to the 2010 premiership, averaging 13.8 disposals, 4.4 marks and 2.7 defensive 50 rebounds.
He is also ranked third at Collingwood for one percenters.
He will miss another week with a calf injury sustained in the opening quarter of the win over St Kilda a fortnight ago.
The Pies will be forced to rely on Frost, Keeffe, first-year player Tom Langdon, young Marley Williams and experienced defender Alan Toovey to stop the league’s best offensive team.
