Collingwood has named four inclusions for its Round 12 clash with Western Bulldogs, and the biggest of them is Harvey Harrison’s return to senior football after 671 days away from the AFL level. Harrison is back in the frame for Saturday night’s match at Marvel Stadium, alongside Tim Membrey, Angus Anderson and Wil Parker.
For Harrison, the recall completes a long climb back from the ACL injury he suffered in Collingwood’s VFL match in Round 20, 2024. Drafted at pick 52 in the 2021 National Draft, the 22-year-old played 12 AFL games in 2024 and kicked 11 goals, including two three-goal hauls against Fremantle and Melbourne. He also spent seven VFL matches building fitness before this selection, after missing the whole of 2025.
The interest around bulldogs vs collingwood is sharpened by the shape of Collingwood’s team, not just the names coming in. Membrey returns after recovering from the hamstring injury he picked up in Round 7’s win over Essendon and has already come back through the VFL, while Anderson and Parker are both restored after being omitted last week. Parker’s case was helped by a 22-disposal effort in the VFL loss to Werribee.
That push into the side comes with a cost. Jamie Elliott will miss through a knee injury, captain Darcy Moore is out with a hamstring problem and Will Hayes is sidelined by a shoulder injury, while Charlie West has been omitted. West, Buller and midfielder Sam Swadling are the emergencies for Saturday night, leaving Collingwood to juggle a reshaped group on the eve of a test against Western Bulldogs.
The selection call leaves one clear question hanging over Marvel Stadium: whether Collingwood’s four inclusions can offset the absence of Elliott and Moore when the teams meet on Saturday 30 May at 7:35pm AEST. Craig McRae has his options, and Harrison’s return gives the Magpies a chance to see how much impact a player can make after 671 days without a senior AFL match.
