NORTH Albury’s Ben Paton will make his VFL debut for Collingwood this weekend.
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In another boost to his draft chances, the All-Australian defender will line-up for the Magpies at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Paton has also been invited to the AFL draft combine in Melbourne.
“He will play the next two weeks for Collingwood,” coach Leon Higgins said..
“It could have come earlier but he ended up with an opportunity in the national championships and played all the games for Victoria Country.
“It’s the 19-year-old ruling working.
“We look for opportunities in the VFL with Nick Richards and Isaac Wallace having had chances earlier in the season as well.”
The Bushrangers have brought Patrick Warner, Bailey Frauenfelder, Jacob Koschitzke, Ed Adams and Kyle Clarke into the side for Sunday’s clash against Greater Western Victoria Rebels at IKON Park.
Paton, Laitham Vandermeer (school), Mark Marriott (managed), Zane Barzen (injured) and Jett Trotter (omitted) have dropped out of the side.
The Bushrangers turned in their best offensive performance of the season last weekend to blow away Bendigo with Daniel Johnston leading the way with eight majors.
Forwards coach Mark Brown was delighted the group put in a four quarter display and executed strategies which have been simulated at training throughout the year.
“It was pleasing to see our forwards work well together and analyse the play to get in good positions to receive the ball,” Brown said.
“The transition from defence to attack was a real highlight on the weekend.”
Marriott, Hudson Garoni, Ajak Dang and Clarke will play for Victoria Country against Victoria Metro in a futures match in Melbourne next weekend.
B, Murray, Paech, Beasley; hb, Langlands, Boyd, Donaghey; c, Smith, Bond, Bruce; hf, Lane, Butts, Clarke; f, Warner, Johnston, Richards; foll, Dayman, Richards, Bradshaw; inter, Wallace, Koschitzke, Hicks, Frauenfelder, Adams (23rd).