Collingwood will unveil two new faces when they take on Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Friday night, with youngsters Ed Allan and Will Parker handed their AFL debuts.
On Tuesday, Pies coach Craig McRae confirmed that Round 10 matchwinner Jordan De Goey would miss with a "fresh (abdominal) injury" while Will Hoskin-Elliot (hamstring) and Reef McInnes (concussion) would need to be replaced.
It took James O’Donnell 40 days between signing with the Dogs to making his AFL debut.
Fellow ex-cricketer Will Parker is set to beat that feat, having been named to play on Friday against Fremantle - 36 days on from joining Collingwood @zerohanger
— Mitchell Keating (@MitchKeat) May 21, 2024
McRae alluded to the return of forward duo Beau McCreery and Brody Mihocek into the mix as the additions of Allan and Parker make for an interesting final team selection on Thursday.
Allan was taken with Pick 19 in the 2022 National Draft and has impressed since joining the club.
A hometown hero! 💫
2022 draftee Ed Allan will make his AFL debut on Friday night in his home state of WA. pic.twitter.com/eIVZ8zQZAQ— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 21, 2024
With most recruiters believing the West Australian product slid from a top-10 selection, the Pies swooped on the athletic utility, who has plied his trade across half-back, on the wing and through the midfield in the VFL.
McRae was coy earlier on Tuesday if there are to be debutants but was full of praise for Allan.
"There's a number of reasons why his (Allan's) name would be up in lights," McRae said.
"He's our fittest player. He can run further than most players in our team which after a couple of six-day breaks, that could be an advantage too."
Allan will be joined by Parker, whose journey to the AFL is unique compared to the majority.
104 days after his last game of cricket, Category B Rookie Wil Parker will make his AFL debut on Friday night in Perth 🌟
Wil has hit the ground running for @CollingwoodVFL, averaging 16 disposals and 3.2 tackles across half back. pic.twitter.com/Bs5ZuzK48t— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 21, 2024
The 21-year-old was a first-class cricketer and former Big Bash League leg-spinner before signing with Collingwood in February.
Parker was signed as a Category B Rookie, having shown his footballing talent in the two years before his draft, playing for Coates Talent League club Eastern Ranges on 18 occasions.
Initially going down the cricket path, the 21-year-old has impressed since joining the Collingwood program as a rebounding defender.
"You’re going to debut this week." 👀
Go inside the team meeting as TWO debutants are announced for Friday night footy: https://t.co/UKhAHGTx2H
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 21, 2024
Allan and Parker will join Lachie Sullivan and Joe Richards as black and white debutants for 2024 while McRae has been forced to reach deep into the depths of the list due to a long list of injuries.
