Pie all at sea in heavy traffic

Collingwood recruit Ben Kennedy reveals he had to make a dash to Etihad Stadium for his first game after getting stuck in traffic.

Ben Kennedy made a frantic dash to Etihad Stadium. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD'S Ben Kennedy feared he might be withdrawn from his first AFL game after a traffic snarl forced him to run the last two kilometres to Etihad Stadium on Friday.

The 19-year-old arrived in the dressing rooms breathless and in a panic after ditching his friend's car and sprinting to the ground.

VIDEO: Watch how Ben Kennedy made it to Etihad Stadium in the player above

He arrived only a few minutes before the team meeting ahead of the St Kilda clash - fearful he might be withdrawn for being late.

"I was freaking out on my way (to the ground)," Kennedy said. "I was with a mate. He had to pull over. I had to get out and run probably two kilometres to get to the game.

"Being from Adelaide, I misinterpreted the traffic, as I always do in Melbourne.

"It was a different sort of preparation, but at least I warmed up before everyone else."

Buckley was sympathetic after seeing an ashen-faced Kennedy arrive in the rooms 20 minutes after he was expected to be there.

The coach told Fox Sports' The Club, which will air tonight: "He rocked up and he looked like he was in the process of, or had had a panic attack.

"I found out later that he jumped out of his car and ran 2km to get to the oval.

"He was that worried about getting into trouble and missing his position.

"I had to just go across and put an arm around him and say, 'Just relax and try to enjoy yourself'."

Despite the ordeal, Kennedy ended up impressing with eight disposals as the substitute after being introduced to the game in the third term.

* COLLINGWOOD forward Alex Fasolo has failed to have a one-match suspension overturned at the VFL Tribunal tonight.

Fasolo pleaded guilty to a rough conduct charge and his defence sought a reprimand given the Magpie's clean record in 60 games at AFL and VFL level.

And a fixture anomaly means he's effectively hit with a two-games penalty in the AFL.

A bye in the VFL this weekend for a state game means he must sit out the Collingwood's reserves team's round 7 game on Saturday week.

It means he won't be eligible for the senior team until the Friday night game against Sydney in Round 9.

Fasolo was charged with rough conduct against Williamstown's Charlie Nastasi during the Magpies' six-points loss last weekend.

- with Bruce Matthews