Collingwood rookie set for shock AFL debut after revealing day of pre-season games

Collingwood’s great white hope has made a dramatic early statement on a day of revealing AFL pre-season matches.

Oliver Henry of the Magpies marks the ball during the AFL Practice Match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at GMHBA Stadium. Getty Images)

Collingwood draft pick Oliver Henry is set to make a shock AFL debut in Round 1 after an eye-catching performance in Collingwood’s pre-season game loss to Geelong on Friday.

The teenager, who is the brother of Geelong player Jack Henry, has impressed the Collingwood coaching staff this summer and was rewarded with a starting spot in Friday’s two-point loss to the Cats.

The 1.87m utility mad an immediate impact with a one-handed mark, which led to the Magpies’ first goal.

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He also popped up with several other classy touches throughout the contest.

Oliver Henry of the Magpies celebrates a goal.

Henry was the Magpies’ top selection at the 2020 AFL Draft and is the shining hope for the under-pressure club after a disastrous trade period which cost them the likes of Jaidyn Stephenson and Adam Treloar.

Taken with the No. 17 pick, Henry has already begun to repay the faith.

Magpies assistant coach Hayden Skipworth said of Henry: “He will be right in contention for that round-one spot”.

The Magpies were also excited about the return of Jeremy Howe, who slotted it nicely in the defensive fifty.

Geelong also had plenty to be excited about after superstar recruit Jeremy Cameron kicked the first goal of the match. He appeared in fine form before he was rested for the entire second half.

Jeremy Cameron is going to be a force with the Cats.

Geelong’s forwards coach Corey Enright said he was pleased with what he saw from the star-studded one-two punch of Cameron and Tom Hawkins.

“The things they did together worked really well and obviously there is a lot to continue to build on and work with with those two,” Enright said.

Meanwhile, Melbourne’s experiment with Max Gawn moving forward appeared to be a success in the Demons’ win over Richmond at Casey Fields on Friday.

Max Gawn looks to be a genuine target.

Gawn started in the ruck but popped up regularly inside the forward fifty arc.

The action continues when the 2021 AFL community series begins next week.