Team Selection: Dashing defender to debut at Marvel

Craig McRae has named Collingwood’s side for Sunday’s game against North Melbourne, with 2023 draftee Tew Jiath set to make his AFL debut in the Marvel Stadium clash.  

Jiath’s debut comes after being selected by Collingwood with Pick 37 in last November’s National Draft. The dashing defender has played eight VFL games this year, averaging 15.5 disposals and four marks after being recruited from the Gippsland Power.

Making way for Jiath is Jack Bytel who has been omitted, with midfielder Ed Allan and forward Reef McInnes joining Bytel as emergencies.

The substitute will be selected from the extended bench and will be named 60 minutes prior to the first bounce.

Jiath, the younger brother of Hawthorn’s Changkouth, played in the Coates Talent League for the Gippsland Power in 2023. His best returns at VFL level in 2024 came against Werribee in Round Eight (20 disposals) and 19 disposals against a strong Footscray side at Marvel Stadium in Round Nine.

Impressing with his ability to read the ball, intercept, and take the game on, Jiath’s speed will add to Collingwood’s backline on Sunday afternoon.

After being substituted out of Monday’s King Birthday clash with  a shin complaint, Nick Daicos has been cleared to play, while Oleg Markov has also been named after missing Collingwood’s main training session on Friday through a back complaint.

The clash will mark Vice-Captain Brayden Maynard’s 200^th AFL game.

The defender was drafted at Pick 30 in the 2014 National Draft and made his debut in Round 14, 2015 against Hawthorn.

Last year’s Premiership victory and an All-Australian blazer in 2022 are two of Maynard’s career defining achievements, alongside Captaining the Club in Darcy Moore’s absence in 2023.

Maynard was added to the Club’s leadership group at the start of the 2023  season and the 27-year-old also led Collingwood’s side against Brisbane in Round 23 after Darcy Moore suffered a hamstring injury.

Craig McRae spoke about Maynard in  Friday’s press conference.

“Bruzzy’s 200th is something we will celebrate tomorrow. We’ll get his family in, 200 games at this level is really, really hard to do,” McRae said.

“The way he has gone about it, the way he has put on the jumper and represents himself – you see the tough exterior, we see the big cuddly teddy bear he is inside our walls, he appreciates others, he cares for others.”

Sunday’s clash is Collingwood’s third at Marvel Stadium for 2024 and the first time the Magpies have come face-to-face with North Melbourne since Round 11, 2023.

The 35-point victory to Collingwood marked Steele Sidebottom’s 300^th AFL game and Mason Cox’s 100^th. Jordan De Goey was instrumental with 35 disposals, while Brody Mihocek and Josh Daicos both kicked three goals.

Sunday 16 June
North Melbourne v Collingwood
Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri
1:00pm (AEST)

IN: Jiath (debut)
OUT: Bytel (omitted)