Collingwood Football Club added three players to its list in the 2026 Telstra AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, taking Harrison Coe at Pick 8, defender Liam Puncher at Pick 15 and 27-year-old forward Mitch Podhajski at Pick 18.
The selections came as the club dealt with a fresh injury toll from Saturday night’s loss to the West Coast Eagles, with Jamie Elliott suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the last quarter and set for ACL reconstruction surgery. Will Hayes also dislocated his shoulder late in the match and has started a rehab program aimed at a return in five to six weeks, while captain Darcy Moore sustained a moderate grade hamstring injury.
Jarrod Wade provided the injury and health update ahead of Collingwood’s Round 12 meeting with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, giving the club a clearer picture of who may be available as the fixture tightens. The update also showed some progress elsewhere, with Joel Cochran moving into skills training after an AC joint injury and expected to be available in one to three weeks, while Harry Perryman has started skills work and is increasing his running speed as he targets a return in one to two weeks.
The draft additions were the clearest sign that Collingwood is trying to keep its list moving even as it absorbs setbacks to several senior players. Puncher, identified as a defender, gives the club another option to develop, while Podhajski arrives as a mature-age forward. Harrison Coe’s arrival at Pick 8 added another name to a busy day for the club.
What comes next is the test for how quickly Collingwood can patch together a competitive side for Round 12. Elliott’s season is over, Moore’s hamstring injury will need careful handling, and Hayes will be monitored through the next five to six weeks, leaving the Magpies to balance immediate selection pressure with longer-term recovery work.
