Ex-BBL cricketer among two debutants for Collingwood in Round 11

Collingwood will blood two new players on Friday night against Fremantle.

The Magpies confirmed the news via social media on Tuesday afternoon, with Ed Allan and Wil Parker to line up against the Dockers.

Allan, selected with a first round pick in the 2019 National Draft, has been made to bide his time in waiting for an AFL debut. Allan turns 20 on Sunday and comes into the senior side averaging 16 disposals across his last month of VFL football.

Parker, meanwhile, has bolted into the team after signing as a Category B rookie in late February. A former cricketer who played Sheffield Shield with Victoria and BBL with the Hobart Hurricanes, the 21-year-old was touted as a first round pick before shunning football.

Collingwood was one of a number of clubs looking for Parker’s signature earlier in the year, with Essendon among the other teams in the race.

Parker played his Under-18s footy with Eastern Ranges where he was coached by Bombers legend Darren Bewick.

“He saw the game really well and was able to use the ball (well), his decision-making is really high. Off half-back he caused a little bit of damage,” Bewick told SEN in February about Parker.

“He wasn't athletically gifted. Because of his lack of pre-season due to the cricket, the commitment that he had in summer, it took him a little while, but he had power.

“He kicked the ball long distances, the game slowed down a little bit for him.

“He could see things happening and his decision-making was really good.”

Parker has enjoyed 15 and 16 touches respectively in his last two VFL outings.

Collingwood hasn’t been defeated since Round 2 and will look to keep the winning streak rolling against Fremantle, who have won three of their last four games.