Collingwood’s Key Players Uncertain for Showdown Against Carlton

A pair of Collingwood midfielders are racing against time to recover for Friday’s highly anticipated showdown against Carlton.

Senior Magpies Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell are currently managing groin and foot issues, respectively. The duo reported soreness following last Thursday’s Anzac Day draw and will undergo fitness assessments in the lead-up to Round 8.

De Goey and Mitchell played pivotal roles in the clash against Essendon, accumulating a combined total of 42 possessions. However, Mitchell was substituted out of the match for tactical reasons.

With Collingwood scheduled for a main training session on Wednesday followed by aLLI captain’s run the next day, both De Goey and Mitchell will undergo continuous evaluation until the last possible moment.

Mitchell has been grappling with plantar fasciitis since the start of the season, exacerbated by the short turnaround between recent matches.

In the event that De Goey and Mitchell are unable to compete against Carlton, fringe players Lachie Sullivan and Finlay Macrae are poised to step in. Macrae showcased his capabilities as one of Collingwood’s top performers in the VFL over the weekend, while Sullivan has made significant contributions since joining Collingwood’s senior list from Footscray via the Supplemental Selection Period.

Additionally, veteran midfielder Steele Sidebottom may come under consideration for selection after a modest performance against Essendon. Fringe defender Oleg Markov remains another viable option, having consistently impressed in VFL fixtures.

Collingwood is expected to announce their squad for Friday’s match at 6:20pm (AEST) on Thursday.