Pictures: Collingwood fans rub shoulders with heroes at Launceston training

Collingwood will play in Tasmania for the first time in eight years on Thursday night. And the black and white army turned out to rub shoulders with their heroes at training on Wednesday. Did we take your pic? Check them out here.

Collingwood player Jamie Elliott with Piper, four. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

TASMANIA-based members of the black and white army were given a rare chance to rub shoulders with their Collingwood heroes at an open training session at UTAS Stadium on Wednesday.

The Magpies put the finishing touches on their preparations for their practice match against Hawthorn in Launceston on Thursday night, with excited Pies fans watching on.

Coach Craig McRae and all the players, including stars Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, new captain Darcy Moore and big name recruits Tom Mitchell and Bobby Hill, all took time out to meet fans, pose for selfies and sign autographs.

Thursday’s match is the first time Collingwood has played in Tasmania since 2015, when they beat the Hawks in a pre-season clash in front of around 15,500 fans.

Josh and Lucas Baylis with Collingwood player Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Collingwood coach Craig McRae signs autographs for fans. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Collingwood fans watch on at the Magpies' open training session at UTAS Stadium on Wednesday. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Rosanne Goodrick with Collingwood player Mason Cox. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Collingwood coach Craig McRae signs autographs for fans. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Elijah Hall, Shane Hudson and Curtis Hall with Collingwood player Beau McCreery. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Alicia Cook and Piper, four, with Collingwood player Jamie Elliott. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Addison, Ebony and also Halli Dalton with Collingwood player Jack Crisp. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Colby and Riley Prewer with Collingwood player Tom Mitchell. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Collingwood coach Craig McRae signs autographs for fans. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Collingwood player Jamie Elliott signs a football for Piper, four. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Alex Zegveld and Isobel Zegveld with Collingwood player Scott Pendlebury. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Collingwood player Will Hoskin-Elliott signs autographs for fans. Picture: Jon Tuxworth