Collingwood's mid-season draftee Josh Carmichael will play his first AFL game this weekend against North Melbourne.
The 22-year-old was selected with Pick 9 in the Mid-Season Draft, joining from SANFL side West Adelaide.
Carmichael has been impressive in his three VFL games thus far, averaging 24 disposals.
The midfielder has looked AFL ready from the get-go, and will bring some strength to an engine room missing Jordan De Goey, who has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with a quad strain and replaced by Carmichael.
De Goey is expected to miss up to three games due to the setback and will undergo further assessment next week, while key defender Jack Madgen is also set for a sidelined stint after requiring surgery on a fractured thumb.
Collingwood confirmed on Friday morning that Madgen will miss up to six weeks after sustaining the injury at training on Thursday.
Carmichael's inclusion confirms the Magpies' fifth first-gamer for the year, joining Nick Daicos, Reef McInnes, Aiden Begg and Isaac Chugg.
Collingwood legend Tarkyn Lockyer was on hand to present Josh with his guernsey ๐ค pic.twitter.com/9THedoz4Sx
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 7, 2022
Other changes to the side will see Jeremy Howe return after missing last week due to illness, while key back Darcy Moore will miss to injury.
The Magpies will hostย Northย Melbourneย at the MCG at 1:45pm (AEST) on Saturday.
