Collingwood has copped a big injury blow in the VFL, with top 30 draft pick Reef McInnes going down with an ankle complaint in the first quarter of their game against Coburg.
McInnes, who was taken with pick 23 in last year’s draft, was pictured on crutches at quarter time after coming off in the opening term with the injury.
In what was a bruising encounter at Victoria Park, Trey Ruscoe came off in the second quarter while Jay Rantall had to be strapped up after receiving a knock to the eye. Both Ruscoe and Rantall returned to play out the remainder of the match.
Returning from knee inflammation picked up in pre-season, Trent Bianco impressed with an equal team-high 29 touches as he looks to make his long-awaited AFL debut.
Brayden Sier (26 touches) and Finlay Macrae (29 touches) also won plenty of the ball in the four-point win.
Jack Ginnivan, who was taken in the rookie draft, kicked three goals and was dangerous in the Collingwood forward line all afternoon.
The Pies scored the first three goals of the game, before Coburg kicked five goals to one in the second quarter to lead at half time.
But as much as the Pies had wrestled momentum back of the game in the third quarter, Coburg fought back in the final term to kick five goals to two but fell just short.
FULL SCORE
Collingwood VFL 14.11 (95)
Coburg 13.13 (91)