The NAB Cup is set to kick off this weekend, with Collingwood taking on Richmond and Carlton in a new lightning round robin format. A squad of 32 players has been announced ahead of our Saturday night matches, with the following players named:
1. Leon DAVIS
2. Chris TARRANT
7. Andrew KRAKOUER
8. Harry O’BRIEN
10. Scott PENDLEBURY
11. Jarryd BLAIR
12. Luke BALL
13. Dale THOMAS
15. Leigh BROWN
17. Dayne BEAMS
18. Darren JOLLY
19. Cameron WOOD
20. Ben REID
21. Sharrod WELLINGHAM
22. Steele SIDEBOTTOM
23. Lachlan KEEFFE
25. Tom YOUNG
26. Ben JOHNSON
27. Simon BUCKLEY
28. Ben SINCLAIR
30. Brent MACAFFER
31. Chris DAWES
34. Alan TOOVEY
35. Alex FASOLO
37. Kirk UGLE
38. Scott REED
39. Heath SHAW
40. Paul SEEDSMAN
43. Trent STUBBS
45. Tom HUNTER
47. Jack PERHAM
48. Jye BOLTON
Despite word from Leigh Brown that we would be heading into the clash at just about full strength, the side listed contains many new faces — including a large contingent of our most recent draftees. Whilst Didak, Swan, Cloke and Maxwell are notably absent, there is still a strong senior representation within the named squad.
Or should I say premiership representation? It never gets old.
The above list will need to be trimmed down to 29 players ahead of the bounce, with 26 being used in our opener against Richmond. We are then able to make three changes before our match against Carlton, where we might call upon the players left out from our first encounter in order to freshen the side up.
Further Reading: [Preview: 2011 NAB Cup Round 1]