Collingwood coach Craig McRae has confirmed the selection status of Magpies pair Brayden Maynard and Patrick Lipinski, who both were required to pass fitness tests to earn a spot in the Magpies line-up against St Kilda on Saturday night.

Lipinski is set to return after passing concussion protocols from a head knock suffered against Hawthorn; however, Maynard has yet to completely overcome a plantar fascia rupture.

Concerned with load management, McRae said Maynard will have to wait until the Round 16 West Coast clash to make his return despite an unhindered training session on Thursday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: Brayden Maynard of the Magpies warms up ahead of the round four AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 03, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: Brayden Maynard of the Magpies warms up ahead of the round four AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 03, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

"Patty will play and 'Bruzzy' won't. 'Bruzzy' is a couple of training sessions short of being ready, to be really at his best," McRae said.

"Absolutely, yeah (we're expecting him to play next week). We're confident that he's a couple of training sessions short, so he'll have one on Friday, and then he'll be able to train heavily on Saturday, and then ideally set himself up to be available next week.

"Nothing wrong with the foot - I shouldn't say nothing - but we're conscious of his loads and making sure he's got enough load.

"High-speed running is one measure and top speed stuff, there's a lot of things that Jarryd Waite ticks off before he gives the all clear. So this is a high-performance decision more than a coach's decision."

McRae said he was also hoping to unveil a couple of Magpies youngsters in the latter stages of the season as ruck-forward Oscar Steene and key tall Charlie West continue to flourish at state-league level.

Steene has averaged 15.4 hitouts and kicked six goals this season, while West has kicked 18 goals from his first nine games at VFL level.

Collingwood defender ruled out of opener, door ajar for potential debutant
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: Jeremy Howe and Oscar Steene of the Magpies compete for a mark during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at AIA Centre on February 07, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

"I'd like to think so (Steene to debut this year). At some stage, I'd like Charlie West and Oscar and these guys to get opportunities," McRae said.

"I think it'd be good for us. Opportunity makes us look a bit different, have a different energy. This is a long year, there's 10 games to go, you've got to get that balance right. How much of your system do you want to be humming? I'm a 'want to keep growing' guy.

"I want our players and fans to feel, 'Oh, there's another growth, look at Oscar Steene, he's improved, he can offer something'. So I'm constantly living in that space."

The Magpies' two-game stint hosting home games at Marvel begins this Saturday, although it remains a non-issue for McRae.

 Saturday, June 21 
Collingwood WON BY 34 POINTS
Marvel Stadium
COLL   
108
FT
74
   STK

"We'll play anywhere, our fans turn up. We know they will," McRae said.

"It's a good challenge for us. We've got the Saints, who, on face value, had a disappointing game last week.

"I'm sure Ross will be fired up and ready for this weekend."