COLLINGWOOD has been boosted by the inclusion of star midfielder Dayne Beams for Saturday’s blockbuster against Hawthorn at the MCG.
Beams missed his team’s loss to the Bulldogs last Sunday after being withdrawn late from the selected side with injury.
His inclusion comes at the expense of young ruckman Brodie Grundy, who has been omitted.
The Pies have made just one change after it was revealed earlier in the week thatr key trio Ben Reid (quad), Nick Maxwell (calf) and Tyson Goldsack (knee) would all miss Saturday’s clash.
The 2012 best and fairest winner is one of the Pies’ prime movers, who was tagged by Melbourne’s Daniel Cross in the Queen’s Birthday game, such is his importance to Collingwood.
Beams has been Collingwood’s number one clearance player this season, ahead of captain Scott Pendlebury. Beams has averaged 6.1 clearances per game this year but is ranked second to Pendlebury for centre cleareances, with a 1.5 average.
He is also Collingwood’s preferred midfielder to deliver the ball inside 50 to Travis Cloke, ranked number one for inside 50s with an average of 4.1 per game.
Beams is ranked second at the Pies for disposals (average 28.2), contested possessions (12.6), tackles (5.9) and is even ranked in the top six for marks inside 50 because of his ability to push forward and get himself into dangerous spots.
He has kicked 16 goals this season – averaging 1.5 per game – to be ranked third on Collingwood’s goal kicking leader board behind Jamie Elliott (28) and Cloke (23).
Grundy’s omission from the side means fellow young ruckman Jarrod Witts will take the number one ruck mantle, with forward Jesse White to step in as the relief ruckman.
The Pies have named key defender Jack Frost despite the youngster suffering a knee injury against the Bulldogs. Frost played out the game but appeared hampered by the injury to his left knee, which was heavily strapped.
Youngster Jonathon Marsh has been named as an emergency, meanwhile, which suggests Frost could be in some doubt.
Marsh, who is yet to make his senior debut after being drafted by Collingwood in last year’s National Draft, has been playing in defence for Collingwood’s VFL side.
Grundy and youngster Ben Kennedy have also been named as emergencies.
Round 14
Hawthorn v Collingwood
Saturday 21 June
MCG, 2.10pm
HAWTHORN
B Shaun Burgoyne, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Hodge
HB Matthew Suckling, Brian Lake, Grant Birchall
C Isaac Smith, Brad Sewell, Bradley Hill
HF Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
F Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Jonathon Ceglar
FOLL David Hale, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels
I/C Taylor Duryea, Angus Litherland, Ben Ross, Matt Spangher
EMG Tim O'Brien, James Sicily, Kyle Cheney
IN Brian Lake, Jack Gunston
OUT Kyle Cheney (omitted), Tim O'Brien (omitted)
COLLINGWOOD
B Marley Williams, Jack Frost, Alan Toovey
HB Paul Seedsman, Lachlan Keeffe, Heritier Lumumba
C Tim Broomhead, Brent Macaffer, Clinton Young
HF Sam Dwyer, Jesse White, Luke Ball
F Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Jamie Elliott
FOLL Jarrod Witts, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
I/C Jarryd Blair, Taylor Adams, Josh Thomas, Tom Langdon
EMG Brodie Grundy, Ben Kennedy, Jonathon Marsh
IN Dayne Beams
OUT Brodie Grundy (omitted)
