Collingwood have confirmed forward Ash Johnson will make his AFL debut against Adelaide on Saturday.
The 2021 mid-season draftee has plied his trade in the VFL since venturing to the AIA Centre, with his 2022 campaign exciting Magpies fans despite injury interruptions.
Johnson has averaged 11 disposals, 3.9 marks, 3.4 tackles and 1.1 goals per game from seven VFL appearances this year.
On Thursday ahead of selection, Collingwood coach Craig McRae announced to the group that Johnson will make his debut against the Crows.
The 24-year-old, who hails from Western Australia, will be Collingwood's sixth debutant of the year, following Nick Daicos, Reef McInnes, Aiden Begg, Josh Carmichael and Isaac Chugg.
The whole club were in the room for this afternoon's weekly team meeting.
Some staff members were asked who they're most excited to see play this week, including our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs Manager Debby Lovett.
Debby was excited to see Ash Johnson 🥰 pic.twitter.com/lv1r6pNcD4
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 14, 2022
The younger brother of Crows forward Shane McAdam, Johnson is unlikely to line up against his sibling at Adelaide Oval, with McAdam currently nursing an ankle injury and listed as a test for the contest.
Collingwood have already been forced into a pair of changes for Round 18, with Taylor Adams (concussion) and Isaac Quaynor (COVID) both ruled out of the match, while defender Darcy Moore will make his return.
Collingwood will travel to the South Australian capital to face the Crows at 1:45pm (AEST) on Saturday.
