Collingwood 2026 Squad Numbers Reveal Unexpected Moves
Collingwood 2026 Player Numbers
Collingwood's 2026 jumper numbers include several notable changes, headlined by Jai Saxena in No. 43, Tyan Prindable in No. 18, Sam Swadling in No. 32, Jack Buller in No. 34, Zac McCarthy in No. 37, Noah Howes in No. 40, and Angus Anderson in No. 41 ahead of the new season. The club announced those numbers after the 2025 trade and draft period, giving fans a clear first look at how the 2026 list is shaping up.
What changed for 2026
The biggest story is not just the numbers themselves, but how much the list has been refreshed around them. Collingwood's official update said the new players had their numbers confirmed "ahead of the 2026 season," and that several shirts shifted hands from departing or retired players. In practical terms, this means the guernsey changes are tied directly to the club's off-season turnover, with new faces stepping into some historically significant numbers.
| Player | 2026 Number | Notable detail |
|---|---|---|
| Tyan Prindable | 18 | First pick in the 2025 draft. |
| Sam Swadling | 32 | Inherited Will Hoskin-Elliott's number. |
| Jack Buller | 34 | Linked to a strong Collingwood number history. |
| Zac McCarthy | 37 | Took over from Oleg Markov. |
| Noah Howes | 40 | Moved up from 47. |
| Angus Anderson | 41 | Previously worn by Brody Mihocek. |
| Jai Saxena | 43 | Debut-year number for the rookie. |
Full list highlights
Among the most eye-catching selections is Jai Saxena at No. 43, a number the club has associated with historic figures including Nick Maxwell later in his career, according to media coverage of the jumper announcement. Collingwood also promoted the idea that the new batch of players would be building their own identity in shirts that carry strong club memory, which is exactly why these assignments drew attention from supporters.
- 18 - Tyan Prindable.
- 32 - Sam Swadling.
- 34 - Jack Buller.
- 37 - Zac McCarthy.
- 40 - Noah Howes.
- 41 - Angus Anderson.
- 43 - Jai Saxena.
Context around the numbers
Collingwood's 2026 list feels especially interesting because the club balanced continuity with turnover, and the jumper reveal gave fans a quick read on that balance. In late January 2026, Collingwood's VFL program also announced 15 fresh faces for the season, including Will Phillips, Eddie Ford, Brynn Teakle and Taj Woewodin, which reinforced how broad the reshaping of the wider football department has been. The result is a new-era look without losing the black-and-white identity that supporters expect.
"With the 2025 trade and draft period complete, Collingwood's new players have had their jumper numbers confirmed ahead of the 2026 season."
Why the shocks matter
The "shock picks" angle comes from the mix of symbolic and practical decisions. No. 18, for example, is instantly notable because it was handed to the club's first 2025 draft pick, while No. 34 and No. 43 carry the sort of heritage value that fans often debate for weeks after a numbers release. These are the kinds of choices that make a numbers reveal more than a list; they become an early season talking point.
There is also a historical layer here. Collingwood's official note on Jack Buller pointed to Doug Gott and Mick McGuane as two players who helped define No. 34, while the same article framed No. 37 as a number associated with Oleg Markov's recent stint at the club. That blend of heritage and turnover is part of why the 2026 assignments feel unusually newsworthy.
Selected 2026 numbers
- Tyan Prindable - 18.
- Sam Swadling - 32.
- Jack Buller - 34.
- Zac McCarthy - 37.
- Noah Howes - 40.
- Angus Anderson - 41.
- Jai Saxena - 43.
Historical angle
The broader Collingwood squad entering 2026 still features a strong core of established names, including Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos, Brayden Maynard, Scott Pendlebury and Josh Daicos, based on widely circulated 2025 squad listings that carried into the next campaign. That matters because jumper-number changes around a stable core tend to stand out more sharply, especially when younger players are introduced into visible roles.
By early 2026, Collingwood's projected senior structure still looked competitive, with analyst previews placing key personnel across defense, midfield and attack, while the younger additions filled out the wings, bench and depth roles. In that context, the 2026 numbers are best understood as a roster map: the veterans anchor the team, and the new shirts mark where the next wave is trying to break through.
Reader questions
Season outlook
From a football operations perspective, Collingwood's 2026 jumper list suggests deliberate role planning rather than random allocation. Assigning recognizable numbers to incoming players often signals confidence, while moving a player like Noah Howes into a lower number can indicate a fresh reset in the club's internal pecking order. For supporters tracking the squad story line, the 2026 jumpers are an early clue about which newcomers the club wants to showcase.
That makes the 2026 season feel especially watchable even before a ball is bounced. The numbers are not just administrative detail; they are a public sign of where Collingwood sees its next chapter heading, and why a few of the picks have already earned "shock" status among fans and commentators.
Expert answers to Collingwood 2026 Squad Numbers Reveal Unexpected Moves queries
Who wears No. 43 for Collingwood in 2026?
Jai Saxena wears No. 43 in his debut year at Collingwood.
Which new Collingwood player got No. 18?
Tyan Prindable was assigned No. 18 for 2026.
Which Collingwood number changes are the biggest talking points?
The most discussed changes are Prindable at No. 18, Swadling at No. 32, Buller at No. 34 and Saxena at No. 43 because they combine draft status, legacy numbers and fresh debut-story appeal.
Did any players change numbers rather than just receive new ones?
Yes, Noah Howes moved from No. 47 to No. 40, making him one of the few players to shift rather than simply inherit a vacant jumper.