Andrew Collins will make his Carlton debut in Friday night’s Peter MacCallum Cup game against Collingwood at the MCG. Collins will become the 1,333rd player to represent the Carlton Football Club in the AFL when he makes his Blue debut against the Pies.
The other change to the side that defeated Gold Coast Suns last week is the return from suspension of Michael Jamison. Simon White and Dennis Armfield have been omitted and are named as emergencies for Friday night.
Collins joined Carlton from Richmond at the end of the 2010 season in a trade that saw Shaun Grigg join the Tigers. Originally from Sandhurst and the Bendigo Under 18s, Collins was recruited by Richmond with selection 73 in the 2006 National Draft and played 25 games for the Tigers after making his debut in 2009.
He kicked 15 goals to be Richmond’s second highest goalkicker in 2010. Collins turned 21 in November last year; he is 187cm and 80kg. He will wear number 16 for Carlton, the number having been worn in 100 games for the Blues by Scott Camporeale, Jimmy Buckley, Maurie Sankey, Jim Mooring, Charlie Hammond and Billy Payne.
Carlton director and 1987 premiership player Adrian Gleeson was at Visy Park today and presented Collins with his number 16 guernsey at the conclusion of the final training session.
Round 3 - Collingwood v Carlton
Friday April 8 at MCG - 7:50pm
The Team
Backs: J.Laidler M.Jamison M.Watson
Half Backs: N.Duigan B.Thornton J.Russell
Centres: K.Simpson B.Gibbs H.Scotland
Half Forwards: M.Murphy J.Waite C.Yarran
Forwards: E.Betts S.Hampson J.Garlett
Followers: R.Warnock A.Walker C.Judd
Interchange: A.Carrazzo A.Collins E.Curnow M.Robinson
Emergencies: D.Ellard S.White D.Armfield
In: A.Collins , M.Jamison
Out: D.Armfield (Omitted) , S.White (Omitted)
New: Andrew Collins (Carlton debut)
21 years of age, 187cm, 80kg
Recruited by Richmond from Sandhurst via Bendigo U18 with selection 73 in the 2006 AFL National Draft and made his AFL debut in 2009. Played 25 games with Richmond and was traded to Carlton at the end of the 2010 season in a trade for Shaun Grigg.
