AFL 2024: Collingwood to name debutant Lachie Sullivan against Carlton

Collingwood will have two key players sidelined against Carlton but their injuries have paved the way for an MCG blockbuster debut.

Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is set to miss Friday’s blockbuster clash against Carlton with a groin injury. Picture: Michael Klein

Collingwood will turn to pre-season signing Lachie Sullivan to help fill the void left by injured premiership on-ballers Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell against Carlton.

Sullivan, 26, will make his debut in the Friday night blockbuster between the arch rivals after he was a late addition to Collingwood’s list following seven years plying his trade in the VFL and local football.

It comes amid concern at the Magpies over De Goey’s groin issue, with the star midfielder experiencing tightness on both sides.

Coach Craig McRae said the time frame for De Goey’s recovery was “an unknown”, as he planned a revamp of his midfield to combat a Carlton on-ball brigade led by Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.

De Goey did not train on Wednesday, while Mitchell was put through a modified session as he manages a plantar fasciitis flare-up.

A journey that epitomises resilience.

From being overlooked in countless drafts to being signed on the eve of season 2024. 26-year-old Lachie Sullivan will make his AFL debut on Friday night 🌟 pic.twitter.com/14FIsf2emm

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 1, 2024

“Jordy won’t play – he’s got tight groins, so we’re just going to sort of back him off a little bit, hopefully get those things settled down,” McRae said.

“This is the unknown, we’re not sure how long (his recovery) will be, the reality is it’s come on reasonably quickly.

“My expertise, which is none … the things I’ve been told is if it comes on quickly, it may go away quickly, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Jordan De Goey (left) and Tom Mitchell looked on as Collingwood training ramped up at Olympic Park on Wednesday ahead of the Magpies’ clash with Carlton. Picture: Jason Edwards

Sullivan, who was on the cusp of selection but overlooked at several drafts including the first he was eligible for in 2015, fought his way into the side after overtaking Finlay Macrae in the midfield pecking order with his impressive VFL form.

He was held over as an emergency in the week before Anzac Day, but the Pies made the call to back in their veterans including Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom off a five-day break.

McRae said premiership halfback Oleg Markov and last week’s substitute Harvey Harrison would also be considered to come into the starting 22.

The coach told Sullivan he would make his debut in a presentation in front of players on Wednesday afternoon.

“Lachie’s had four or five drafts he’s missed out on, and he comes in as a young lad that’s hungry,” McRae said.

Collingwood SSP recruit Lachie Sullivan at training on Wednesday ahead of his AFL debut against Carlton on Friday night. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

“He was VFL best and fairest at the Bulldogs last year, a really quality player at that level, and he hasn’t missed a beat since he’s been here … we’ve had him close as an emergency a few weeks now.”

McRae defended Sidebottom’s importance to the Magpies’ side after a disappointing seven-disposal performance on Anzac Day, saying his movement patterns on the wing were still “incredible”.

“Not the level we’ve come to expect from Steele, that’s real,” McRae said.

“But he’s still running incredible patterns for us, and the ball hasn’t sort of landed in his hands in the last game, if you want to just take that one for reference.

“We’d like to think Steele’s got more in him in terms of getting the ball in his hands, but he’s a valuable player.”

The coach said fit again key position utility Nathan Kreuger would play his first game for the season in the VFL, with his return allowing the Magpies to continue trialling Ash Johnson as a backman.

After a listless start to the season, Johnson had a season-high 20 disposals and eight marks, and still pushed forward for two goals in Collingwood’s 12-point VFL loss to Essendon last Saturday.