Uncapped Collingwood defender Charlie Dean will play his first game since July last year when he lines up for the Magpies' VFL side this Saturday in an elimination final against Williamstown.
Dean, 22, was placed on the club's inactive list in February following multiple foot injuries that hampered his maiden season in the black and white.
The 2021 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner was drafted to Collingwood as a rookie ahead of last year, with Dean managing just a pair of performances at the state league level in his first year with the club due to injuries.
The key defender was seen to be in the mix for an AFL debut during the 2022 pre-season before injuries began to have an impact on the emerging backman.
Dean's move to the long-term injury list opened up a list spot for Collingwood to secure dashing defender Oleg Markov, who has played 20 games in his first year at Olympic Park to be part of the club's title tilt.
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After a long recovery path to get back to full fitness, Dean is now set to make his first appearance in over a year when the Magpies line-up against his former side in a do-or-die final.
Collingwood have named Dean at full-back for Saturday's match at DSV Stadium, with the AFL-listed stopper one of three inclusions for Josh Fraser's side.
Jedd Longmire and Chad Mulvogue have also been named as inclusions, with Collingwood pair Josh Carmichael (concussion) and Reef McInnes (collarbone) coming out of the side after suffering injuries in last week's Wildcard Round win over Richmond. Youngster Yuyu Ashwin has also made way.
It's mixed news for the Seagulls on the selection front, losing VFL great Ben Jolley to a calf issue, while captain Cam Polson makes his return. Will Jury (concussion) and Matt Gaul have also fallen out of the side as Josh Pickess and Jack Noonan come in.
Collingwood finished eighth on the VFL ladder after an 11-win campaign, booking themselves a Wildcard Round berth while Williamstown were afforded the week off after the home and away season concluded.
The Seagulls fell two points shy of a second-chance spot in the top four, but will be favoured for Saturday's matchup with the Magpies after a strong year for the standalone club.
