AFL Teams Chopping Block: Collingwood turn to youth ahead of crunch West Coast clash

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Chopping Block: Collingwood turn to youth ahead of crunch West Coast clash image

Collingwood are set to make significant changes to their starting lineup ahead of a tough trip to West Coast on Friday night - with young star Finlay Macrae confirmed to make his debut.

The No.19 pick in the 2020 draft - and younger brother of Bulldogs premiership star Jack - will get his first taste of AFL action as the Magpies return to Optus Stadium - the scene of their famous elimination final win against the Eagles last season.

Macrae could come in as a direct replacement for midfielder Brayden Sier, who was subbed out of last week's loss to GWS with illness and has been struggling to impact games, while small forward Josh Thomas could also make way, having kicked only two goals in four games this season.

Jordan De Goey is at no threat of being dropped from the team but the matchwinner is struggling for form consistency and he will again be in the spotlight against West Coast.

It's no coincidence that De Goey produced his best performance of the season in Collingwood's only win against Carlton, kicking 4.3 from 16 disposals.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley will have to make a decision on whether to play De Goey mainly as a forward or midfielder, because the prodigious talent seems to be struggling while being between both positions.

Languishing in 14th position on the AFL ladder with a 1-3 record, the Magpies could find themselves battling to make the finals with another defeat.

Charlie Cameron's position in Brisbane's team could come into question as coach Chris Fagan attempts to find the right mix to get the Lions firing once again against Adelaide on Saturday.

Brisbane have also started the season 1-3, with Cameron struggling to have an impact on matches, kicking four goals in four games so far this campaign.

There is a suggestion the former Crow is struggling to find space in the forward line with Joe Daniher joining Eric Hipwood in the attacking 50, with Cameron often purposely isolated one-out with his opponent last season to great success.

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Carlton veteran Levi Casboult is under the pump to keep his spot with key forward Mitch McGovern breathing down his neck after a few solid performances in VFL practice matches.

Casboult has only kicked two goals in four games this season - and is yet to register double figure disposals - while McGovern has kicked bags of three goals in the reserves over the past few matches.

A spell could be once again delivered to 2017 No.3 draft pick Paddy Dow, with the midfielder not growing into his role in the engine room despite a promising pre-season.

Dow's average of 12.5 possessions a game as a midfielder is simply not good enough.

St Kilda defender Nick Coffield will be on notice to lift his performances as he struggles to hit the form that saw him finish top five in the Saints' best-and-fairest last season.

With Josh Battle swinging back into defence against West Coast and taking over Coffield's role as chief intercept marker, the pressure is now squarely on the latter.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.