Jobe Watson gave Essendon fans plenty to smile about in his AFL return but he couldn’t stop Collingwood from pinching a 11-point preseason win.
The former skipper, one of six Bombers making their comebacks after serving doping bans in 2016, gathered 19 disposals and looked in excellent touch.
The others were new captain Dyson Heppell, Michael Hurley, Travis Colyer, David Myers and Ben Howlett.
But while it was all about welcoming back familiar names for the Bombers, for Collingwood the match was a celebration of new faces.
Chris Mayne booted a goal in his Pies debut. Photo: Getty
The Pies’ line-up included recruits Chris Mayne and Lynden Dunne, as well as teenage draftee Josh Daicos, the son of Collingwood great, Peter Daicos.
Greater Western Sydney recruit Will Hoskin-Elliott booted two majors in his Collingwood debut.
The Woods also had a couple of comeback stories of their own: Jamie Elliott and Lachlan Keeffe – who missed last season with a back injury and a doping ban respectively – did enough to show they can play important roles for the team this year.
Matt Scharenberg, returning from persistent knee injuries, was quiet but looked at ease.
Collingwood’s towering American Mason Cox takes a towering grab.
Jordan De Goey (22 touches) and impressive second-year midfielder Tom Phillips (24 touches) starred for the Magpies, who rested Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams.
Essendon’s No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath made a quiet start but showed plenty of composure and looks likely to earn a round one debut.
The Magpies trailed by 23 points at three quarter-time but came out surging in the final stanza, booting four straight majors – including two supergoals – to steal back the lead.
Essendon answered back through livewire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Orazio Fantasia, who booted his fourth major.
But two late goals to De Goey sealed the 2.13.9 (105) to 0.14.10 (94) win in the preseason opener.
Today's matchups #SaintsIntra pic.twitter.com/aBZwTVfhcX
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) February 16, 2017
Meanwhile another former Essendon player returning from suspension, St Kilda recruit Jake Carlisle, blew out the cobwebs with a half in the Saints’ intraclub match at Trevor Barker Oval on Thursday evening.
The key defender showed glimpses of form, and the Saints will continue to manage his return from hip surgery over the preseason.
“He needs to play some footy and the more footy he plays the better he’s going to get,” backline coach Rohan Welsh told AFL.com.au.
The main thing for him was to get through a half and he’ll probably play 75 per cent next week against Port Adelaide.
“We’ll build him up to play a full game in the second JLT match, and the third.”
Young guns Jack Billings and Paddy McCartin (three goals) impressed, as did draftee Josh Battle (five goals) and midfield recruits Koby Stevens and Jack Steele.
– with AAP
