Collingwood made some interesting selection calls for their Friday night blockbuster against Carlton at the MCG.
With Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell both out injured, the Pies opted to hand mature-aged recruit Lachie Sullivan his debut while also recalling dashing defender Oleg Markov from the VFL.
AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich spoke about Sullivan’s rise and how it’s only been a matter of time for the midfielder to make his debut since signing on at the club in February.
He also pondered where young on-baller Fin Macrae is at given he was overlooked despite both De Goey and Mitchell missing.
“We've got a debutant on Friday night, and this is a great story,” Gabelich said on SEN's Sportsday.
“This was confirmed on Wednesday by Collingwood in Lachie Sullivan, the 26-year-old.
“10 weeks ago, he wasn't on the AFL list. All of a sudden, he's going to debut and the MCG, they're forecasting a crowd of 90,000 people at this point.
“He's never played in front of more than 2000. So, what a what a place to come in.
“Obviously, there’s Jordan De Goey and no Tom Mitchell, so it’s Lachie Sullivan who gets the opportunity.
“This doesn't surprise me that he comes in now because he was on standby for Anzac Day. They pulled him out of the VFL the week before Harvey Harrison came in last Thursday.
“It's only been a matter of time and he's got the nod and it’s ahead of Fin Macrae.
“He (Macrae) has had a really good three weeks at VFL level. But it says a little bit that in a really big game with no De Goey and no Mitchell that Craig McRae has turned to Lachie Sullivan.”
Kane Cornes also thinks that Macrae’s non-selection says a lot about where Collingwood sees him.
While the 22-year-old was all of the rage in the pre-season, he has struggled in his three games in 2024 so far, playing as the sub in Round 1 and 2 before being subbed off in Round 3 against Brisbane.
He was dropped after that win against the Lions after picking up just six disposals in 38 per cent of game time.
“Clearly, it's obvious now that they don't believe that he's good enough to play at the level,” Cornes said.
“You couldn't have this many opportunities and not capture one of those.
“It’s his fourth year on the list and he had a great pre-season. Now there are injuries with an aging midfield and you're still not getting selected.
“Unfortunately, I think the writing is on the wall there for Fin.”
Friday’s clash between the Blues and Pies at the MCG begins at 7:40pm (AEST).
