SUPERFOOTY (Mark Robinson)
NATHAN Buckley loves nothing more than a challenge.
How he responds to the one that confronts him at Collingwood this season could be the difference between just another finals campaign and a premiership.
The Pies have the side that could - perhaps should - win the flag.
They have an outstanding midfield - one that runs as deep as any in the competition - a solid and reliable defence and a forward line that boasts Travis Cloke and a swag of others capable of scoring goals and applying pressure.
As Nick Maxwell acknowledged in yesterday's Herald Sun, the Magpies probably have better depth than in their 2010 flag season.
At times last season, the discipline and individuality shown by some at Collingwood -- some experienced players who should know better -- hurt the collective.
There were times this had an impact on the team's performance, including in the preliminary final loss to eventual premier Sydney. And that's where Buckley comes in. The buck stops with him.
It's time for the Collingwood great to become even tougher with his playing group -- no more Mr Nice Guy, if you like.
I'm not saying "Bucks" was weak last year. Far from it. I thought he did an outstanding job in his first year as senior coach under pressure. His tactics were strong, his tinkering with the Collingwood game plan was a key reason the Magpies reached the top four and he approached the media and club members with an open but direct manner.
I have no doubt the players respect Buckley for what he has done as a player and what he is now doing as a coach. And he clearly has some close relationships -- even friendships -- with the players he was teammates with before his retirement in 2007.
John Worsfold (2006) is the last premiership coach to have played with members of the flag side he coached.
Buckley can achieve that this season, but I'd love to see him set down tougher ground rules for his players.
The club last year suspended two players for off-field indiscretions -- Dane Swan and then-Magpie Sharrod Wellingham -- but Bucks needs to be just as tough when it relates to individuality, kick chasing and not committing 100 per cent on the field. In a way, I'd love to see him channel a bit of the Ross Lyon mongrel.
Remember when Lyon axed Stephen Milne and Nick Dal Santo in his second season as St Kilda coach in 2008? Their form hadn't been bad; but their attitude on the field wasn't what Lyon wanted. Both players returned after their demotion more committed and a lesson was grasped by the whole group.
Lyon did a similar thing when he went to Fremantle. He told Clancee Pearce that he had a "fat a---" and banished Michael Walters from the club for a time. Both are now a serious part of the Freo revival.
I'm not saying there are major problems at Collingwood or that Bucks isn't strong enough to deal with issues that arise.
But if he gets a chance early in the season, he can make a strong example that he means business.
Only a 100 per cent commitment wins flags. Bucks will give that commitment.
He is driven.
He has to make sure that every player who runs out in black and white gives their all, knowing that if they don't, the coach is going to give them a whack.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
The problem with Collingwood
REAL FOOTY (Jake Niall)
Besides the standard threat of injury, the greatest impediment to Collingwood winning the premiership this year remains largely undiagnosed. The relevant illness has been overshadowed and concealed by issues that are more dramatic and attention-grabbing.
Remove injuries, which can stop any horse in the field, and what is Collingwood's most pressing obstacle?
It's not depth of AFL-standard players, a problem last year that has been redressed via recruiting. It's not the delayed return of the hamstrung Luke Ball. It's not the unsettling change of coach, a possible issue last year. It's not Darren Jolly's creaking body, a vulnerability that should be covered better by a bearded insurance policy called Ben Hudson.
It's not Harry O'Brien's tendency to stick closer to the Dalai Lama than to Eddie Betts, nor a freewheeling midfield that doesn't defend. It's not even Dane Swan's social life.
These might be chinks, but the major weakness lies in the front half of this Collingwood side. The Pies haven't been scoring heavily enough. They don't have a potent or settled attack.
Collingwood doesn't have the same forward set-up that won the 2010 premiership and which terrorised the competition for much of 2011. Alan Didak was the club's leading goalkicker in 2010 and an All-Australian.
He's not been a factor since, is 30 and frequently hurt. He must be treated as a bonus, not part of the budget.
Chris Dawes, the principal foil to Travis Cloke in 2010-11, has been offloaded to Melbourne, where Leigh Brown, who played an important role as forward and second ruck in 2010-11, is coaching the forwards.
Jarryd Blair played mainly forward in 2010-11. Last year, the absence of Ball saw him pushed mainly into the midfield. Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams have been - and will remain - midfielders who have short stints up forward rather than the reverse. Dale Thomas has been afflicted with ankle problems and isn't playing today. ''Daisy'', who can play forward, is better suited to the midfield in any case.
Collingwood's recruitment of Quinten Lynch to replace Dawes as the forward/ruck was an acknowledgment that the attack wasn't cutting it. Lynch was not certain of a game at West Coast. He is essential at Collingwood.
The Pies have at their disposal a major forward talent in Alex Fasolo, who has the showman's hunger and natural flair for kicking goals. He's a brilliant finisher from short and long distance.
In effect, flashy ''Fas'' is the long-term replacement for Didak. But Fasolo too has barely played in pre-season and won't be menacing North Melbourne on Sunday.
Neither will Andy Krakouer, who can create space in a phone box and produce improbable goals.
Check out the nominated Collingwood forwards today. Cloke is the only A-grader. Indeed, none of the others, besides Lynch, are automatic selections. Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer, Lynch and Ben Sinclair represent a pretty blue collar bunch; they might do the chasin' and tacklin', as Tommy Hafey puts it, but they won't do much finessin' with ball in hand. Jamie Elliott, promising in pre-season, is an unproven kid.
Krakouer and a fit Didak would add creativity, flair and goal-sense, but they lack leg speed and won't lock the ball inside the scoring territory as effectively as Sinclair, Goldsack, Macaffer and Elliott.
Therein lies coach Nathan Buckley's dilemma - the quicker players can apply defensive pressure but don't kick enough goals (Sinclair managed just 14 in 20 games), while those creative types who can score don't apply sufficient pressure. Finding that sustainable balance between defensive and creative forwards will be tricky.
Last year, Collingwood's ''frontal pressure'' disappeared, as footy's fashionable statistic - time spent in front half - demonstrated.
The Pies weren't applying an effective forward press and weren't scoring at anywhere near 2010-11 rates. They averaged only 94 points a game, compared with the 2011 figures of 117.8 (home and away season) and 112.9 (all games, including finals), a gap of three or four goals.
Collingwood conceded an average of 84 points a game last year. If this wasn't as stingy as 2011's average of 71.7, or 2010's 73.8 (all games), it's clear that Collingwood's defence held up better than its attack.
The Magpie defenders weren't protected by a forward line that locked the ball in, either.
A scoring problem first surfaced, in fact, during the 2011 finals series, when it was evident from the first qualifying final against West Coast that the goals were drying up.
Collingwood did not score more than 12 goals in any of its three finals. In its grand final loss, the Cats were far more efficient - they scored 18 goals from 57 forward (inside 50-metre) entries compared with 12 from 51. Didak's decline deprived the Pies of their Stevie J.
In the absence of Fasolo, Collingwood could sorely use a Betts-type, or even a third marking forward of Jack Darling's ilk. Without the forward riches of Hawthorn or West Coast, the Magpies are heavily reliant on their mids - especially Beams and Swan - to hit the scoreboard.
While it's preferable in this interchange-obsessed era to have midfielders who can play forward and vice versa, the downside of playing musical chairs between the bench, the midfield and the forward line is that the forwards, collectively, aren't settled and mightn't be as cohesive.
The forward line that Collingwood is fielding on Sunday has a portable appearance. Add Fasolo, push Blair down there when Ball and Thomas return and it looks far more capable.
It will need to be.
Besides the standard threat of injury, the greatest impediment to Collingwood winning the premiership this year remains largely undiagnosed. The relevant illness has been overshadowed and concealed by issues that are more dramatic and attention-grabbing.
Remove injuries, which can stop any horse in the field, and what is Collingwood's most pressing obstacle?
It's not depth of AFL-standard players, a problem last year that has been redressed via recruiting. It's not the delayed return of the hamstrung Luke Ball. It's not the unsettling change of coach, a possible issue last year. It's not Darren Jolly's creaking body, a vulnerability that should be covered better by a bearded insurance policy called Ben Hudson.
It's not Harry O'Brien's tendency to stick closer to the Dalai Lama than to Eddie Betts, nor a freewheeling midfield that doesn't defend. It's not even Dane Swan's social life.
These might be chinks, but the major weakness lies in the front half of this Collingwood side. The Pies haven't been scoring heavily enough. They don't have a potent or settled attack.
Collingwood doesn't have the same forward set-up that won the 2010 premiership and which terrorised the competition for much of 2011. Alan Didak was the club's leading goalkicker in 2010 and an All-Australian.
He's not been a factor since, is 30 and frequently hurt. He must be treated as a bonus, not part of the budget.
Chris Dawes, the principal foil to Travis Cloke in 2010-11, has been offloaded to Melbourne, where Leigh Brown, who played an important role as forward and second ruck in 2010-11, is coaching the forwards.
Jarryd Blair played mainly forward in 2010-11. Last year, the absence of Ball saw him pushed mainly into the midfield. Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams have been - and will remain - midfielders who have short stints up forward rather than the reverse. Dale Thomas has been afflicted with ankle problems and isn't playing today. ''Daisy'', who can play forward, is better suited to the midfield in any case.
Collingwood's recruitment of Quinten Lynch to replace Dawes as the forward/ruck was an acknowledgment that the attack wasn't cutting it. Lynch was not certain of a game at West Coast. He is essential at Collingwood.
The Pies have at their disposal a major forward talent in Alex Fasolo, who has the showman's hunger and natural flair for kicking goals. He's a brilliant finisher from short and long distance.
In effect, flashy ''Fas'' is the long-term replacement for Didak. But Fasolo too has barely played in pre-season and won't be menacing North Melbourne on Sunday.
Neither will Andy Krakouer, who can create space in a phone box and produce improbable goals.
Check out the nominated Collingwood forwards today. Cloke is the only A-grader. Indeed, none of the others, besides Lynch, are automatic selections. Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer, Lynch and Ben Sinclair represent a pretty blue collar bunch; they might do the chasin' and tacklin', as Tommy Hafey puts it, but they won't do much finessin' with ball in hand. Jamie Elliott, promising in pre-season, is an unproven kid.
Krakouer and a fit Didak would add creativity, flair and goal-sense, but they lack leg speed and won't lock the ball inside the scoring territory as effectively as Sinclair, Goldsack, Macaffer and Elliott.
Therein lies coach Nathan Buckley's dilemma - the quicker players can apply defensive pressure but don't kick enough goals (Sinclair managed just 14 in 20 games), while those creative types who can score don't apply sufficient pressure. Finding that sustainable balance between defensive and creative forwards will be tricky.
Last year, Collingwood's ''frontal pressure'' disappeared, as footy's fashionable statistic - time spent in front half - demonstrated.
The Pies weren't applying an effective forward press and weren't scoring at anywhere near 2010-11 rates. They averaged only 94 points a game, compared with the 2011 figures of 117.8 (home and away season) and 112.9 (all games, including finals), a gap of three or four goals.
Collingwood conceded an average of 84 points a game last year. If this wasn't as stingy as 2011's average of 71.7, or 2010's 73.8 (all games), it's clear that Collingwood's defence held up better than its attack.
The Magpie defenders weren't protected by a forward line that locked the ball in, either.
A scoring problem first surfaced, in fact, during the 2011 finals series, when it was evident from the first qualifying final against West Coast that the goals were drying up.
Collingwood did not score more than 12 goals in any of its three finals. In its grand final loss, the Cats were far more efficient - they scored 18 goals from 57 forward (inside 50-metre) entries compared with 12 from 51. Didak's decline deprived the Pies of their Stevie J.
In the absence of Fasolo, Collingwood could sorely use a Betts-type, or even a third marking forward of Jack Darling's ilk. Without the forward riches of Hawthorn or West Coast, the Magpies are heavily reliant on their mids - especially Beams and Swan - to hit the scoreboard.
While it's preferable in this interchange-obsessed era to have midfielders who can play forward and vice versa, the downside of playing musical chairs between the bench, the midfield and the forward line is that the forwards, collectively, aren't settled and mightn't be as cohesive.
The forward line that Collingwood is fielding on Sunday has a portable appearance. Add Fasolo, push Blair down there when Ball and Thomas return and it looks far more capable.
It will need to be.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Maxwell on Collingwood
The Australian
COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell believes the Magpies now boast greater depth than during the drought-breaking premiership season of 2010.
The 29-year-old is also confident Collingwood will improve on last year's effort when a beaten preliminary finalist, due to a better understanding by the players of Nathan Buckley's demands but also because the coach, too, will be enhanced by the knowledge gained from his first season in charge.
Collingwood, which elevated Sam Dwyer and Jack Frost to its senior list this week, begins its season at Etihad Stadium tomorrow against North Melbourne wary that the Kangaroos defeated it by five goals on the same ground last August.
Maxwell, however, believes the Magpies are well placed following a mixed pre-season in which they trounced West Coast in Perth with an inexperienced squad yet fell heavily to Geelong in the final warm-up match.
"We are in a pretty good position at the moment. There are still a few guys that have to come back from injury but, all in all, we are happy with our pre-season. We think it has been a success," he said.
It is the effort against West Coast in the NAB Cup match that convinced Maxwell that Collingwood had the depth on its list to overcome injury obstacles.
A glance at the 25-man squad announced on Thursday indicates a change in personnel; Dwyer and Frost are joined by former Eagle Quinten Lynch and Blue Jordan Russell.
Brent Macaffer, too, is effectively a new recruit given the premiership forward's last game before being stricken with injury was in August 2011.
While premiership Magpies Chris Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham were among those to depart the Magpies at the end of last year, Maxwell is certain the nest of 2013 is better equipped to handle adversity.
"I think what (the defeat of West Coast) has shown is that we have thrown other guys in and it has showed us that they can play at that level," he said.
"We have probably got more depth this year than when I have been at the club. I think there is more (than in 2010).
"I think there are guys like Sammy Dwyer and Kyle Martin who are just new, but they are mature-aged guys, so they already have that physical body and the way they have gone about it is just sensational."
Maxwell said part of the reason Collingwood had not missed the finals since 2005 was its ability to replace senior players.
"I think it is, even going back to 2007 when we lost Bucks, Jimmy Clement, Anthony Rocca the next year and then (Paul) Licuria and (Brodie) Holland," he said.
"There is a lot of development that goes on to get the guys up to that level and when you are finishing high on the ladder, it is hard to get the draft picks to bring through the quality players, so I guess that is where we have been really lucky and worked hard on our systems.
"We are proud of our system, to be able to bring through a lot of rookies. We have eight rookies play in the 2010 premiership which just shows that you don't always have to have first-round draft picks if you pick the right guys who are prepared to work hard.
"One of the big things we do is pick guys with character. That is the aim, to pick guys who are the right people.
"They don't have to have all the right skills and they don't have to be perfect, and I am proof of that, but if you get the right character guys who show they are going to work their backside off and are desperate to play AFL footy, that is what we have seen."
Maxwell, who has played 179 games for Collingwood after being given a chance on its rookie list, said he was confident Buckley's coaching style would have benefited from his first season in charge.
"I think you get better with every year that you have with a new coach," he said.
"With Mick (Malthouse), I didn't understand the game plan as well in my first and second year as I did in my eighth and ninth when he ended up leaving. With Bucks, it will be no different.
"He has only had one year as coach, so he is going to improve. He is going to get better and he is going to find different ways of getting the best out of different players, so all in all, it can only be a good thing for us."
But as certain as Maxwell is that Collingwood will contend again come September is his acknowledgement that the key foes of recent years will also be thereabouts.
"I think the names that have been there the last few years are going to be the similar ones," he said.
"Hawthorn and Sydney, West Coast and Fremantle, if they win the games at home they usually do, and then pinch a few over here, then they are going to win enough games to finish top four as well.
"History says if you don't finish top four, then you can't win it. It is going to be very interesting because I think . . . there is going to be a lot of teams miss out with a lot of wins."
COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell believes the Magpies now boast greater depth than during the drought-breaking premiership season of 2010.
The 29-year-old is also confident Collingwood will improve on last year's effort when a beaten preliminary finalist, due to a better understanding by the players of Nathan Buckley's demands but also because the coach, too, will be enhanced by the knowledge gained from his first season in charge.
Collingwood, which elevated Sam Dwyer and Jack Frost to its senior list this week, begins its season at Etihad Stadium tomorrow against North Melbourne wary that the Kangaroos defeated it by five goals on the same ground last August.
Maxwell, however, believes the Magpies are well placed following a mixed pre-season in which they trounced West Coast in Perth with an inexperienced squad yet fell heavily to Geelong in the final warm-up match.
"We are in a pretty good position at the moment. There are still a few guys that have to come back from injury but, all in all, we are happy with our pre-season. We think it has been a success," he said.
It is the effort against West Coast in the NAB Cup match that convinced Maxwell that Collingwood had the depth on its list to overcome injury obstacles.
A glance at the 25-man squad announced on Thursday indicates a change in personnel; Dwyer and Frost are joined by former Eagle Quinten Lynch and Blue Jordan Russell.
Brent Macaffer, too, is effectively a new recruit given the premiership forward's last game before being stricken with injury was in August 2011.
While premiership Magpies Chris Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham were among those to depart the Magpies at the end of last year, Maxwell is certain the nest of 2013 is better equipped to handle adversity.
"I think what (the defeat of West Coast) has shown is that we have thrown other guys in and it has showed us that they can play at that level," he said.
"We have probably got more depth this year than when I have been at the club. I think there is more (than in 2010).
"I think there are guys like Sammy Dwyer and Kyle Martin who are just new, but they are mature-aged guys, so they already have that physical body and the way they have gone about it is just sensational."
Maxwell said part of the reason Collingwood had not missed the finals since 2005 was its ability to replace senior players.
"I think it is, even going back to 2007 when we lost Bucks, Jimmy Clement, Anthony Rocca the next year and then (Paul) Licuria and (Brodie) Holland," he said.
"There is a lot of development that goes on to get the guys up to that level and when you are finishing high on the ladder, it is hard to get the draft picks to bring through the quality players, so I guess that is where we have been really lucky and worked hard on our systems.
"We are proud of our system, to be able to bring through a lot of rookies. We have eight rookies play in the 2010 premiership which just shows that you don't always have to have first-round draft picks if you pick the right guys who are prepared to work hard.
"One of the big things we do is pick guys with character. That is the aim, to pick guys who are the right people.
"They don't have to have all the right skills and they don't have to be perfect, and I am proof of that, but if you get the right character guys who show they are going to work their backside off and are desperate to play AFL footy, that is what we have seen."
Maxwell, who has played 179 games for Collingwood after being given a chance on its rookie list, said he was confident Buckley's coaching style would have benefited from his first season in charge.
"I think you get better with every year that you have with a new coach," he said.
"With Mick (Malthouse), I didn't understand the game plan as well in my first and second year as I did in my eighth and ninth when he ended up leaving. With Bucks, it will be no different.
"He has only had one year as coach, so he is going to improve. He is going to get better and he is going to find different ways of getting the best out of different players, so all in all, it can only be a good thing for us."
But as certain as Maxwell is that Collingwood will contend again come September is his acknowledgement that the key foes of recent years will also be thereabouts.
"I think the names that have been there the last few years are going to be the similar ones," he said.
"Hawthorn and Sydney, West Coast and Fremantle, if they win the games at home they usually do, and then pinch a few over here, then they are going to win enough games to finish top four as well.
"History says if you don't finish top four, then you can't win it. It is going to be very interesting because I think . . . there is going to be a lot of teams miss out with a lot of wins."
2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood
AFL
Best 22
B: Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid, Alan Toovey
HB: Heath Shaw, Nathan Brown, Harry O'Brien
C: Clinton Young, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams
HF: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Steele Sidebottom
F: Andrew Krakouer, Quinten Lynch, Alex Fasolo
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Luke Ball
I/C: Ben Hudson, Tyson Goldsack, Jarryd Blair
Sub: Ben Johnson
Injury list
Collingwood's injury list is vast. Luke Ball, Dale Thomas and Ben Reid are all in major doubt for round one, while Alex Fasolo, Andrew Krakouer and Alan Didak have already been ruled out. The club's top two draftees, Brodie Grundy (back) and Tim Broomhead (glandular fever) are out indefinitely.
The big questions
Heath Shaw. Sporting a white headband throughout the pre-season, the Pies defender brought typical energy - encouraging teammates and goofing around at appropriate moments. But when it was time to switch on, his skills, hard running and reading of the play came to the fore.
Sudden impact
With Travis Cloke as the focal point in the Pies' forward line, the stage is set for Quinten Lynch to excel in the second tall forward role. He has been one of Collingwood's strongest performers in the pre-season, and booted four goals in the team's final hit-out against Geelong. Could be vital in relieving pressure on Cloke this year.
It's crunch time for ...
Alan Didak. The Pies’ veteran managed just 11 games in 2012, battling groin injuries and a lack of form. Some of the club's young forwards are challenging and with retirement beckoning, a few moments of Didak magic could carry Collingwood over the line to a flag.
Pivotal match
It doesn't come much bigger than Carlton and their round two meeting shapes as one of the games of the season. Add the Mick Malthouse factor and a tense atmosphere between the traditional rivals is guaranteed. Collingwood has a tough start to the season with games against North Melbourne (round one), Carlton and Hawthorn (round three). The Pies went a combined 0-6 against those three last year.
Collingwood will have a good year if ...
... Cloke fires and Steele Sidebottom becomes 'elite'. Let's be clear, a 'good' year means a strong top four finish and a serious premiership tilt. With a star-studded midfield already in tow, it's up to Cloke to kick the team a winning score. Sidebottom is already a very good player - if he has a year like Dayne Beams had in 2012 then look out.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: Second
Best 22
B: Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid, Alan Toovey
HB: Heath Shaw, Nathan Brown, Harry O'Brien
C: Clinton Young, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams
HF: Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke, Steele Sidebottom
F: Andrew Krakouer, Quinten Lynch, Alex Fasolo
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Luke Ball
I/C: Ben Hudson, Tyson Goldsack, Jarryd Blair
Sub: Ben Johnson
Injury list
Collingwood's injury list is vast. Luke Ball, Dale Thomas and Ben Reid are all in major doubt for round one, while Alex Fasolo, Andrew Krakouer and Alan Didak have already been ruled out. The club's top two draftees, Brodie Grundy (back) and Tim Broomhead (glandular fever) are out indefinitely.
The big questions
- What effect will the club's injuries have at the start of the season? Collingwood faces a brutal start to the year and will be hoping its depth players can carry the load until all the big names are back in the side.
- Can Travis Cloke recapture his 2011 All-Australian form? Cloke was down on form and confidence in 2012, but with his contract now locked away, his focus should be back on footy. If he plays anywhere near how he played in 2011, he could be in for a huge season.
- What impact can the Magpies' recruits have this year? The Magpies added experienced quartet Clinton Young, Quinten Lynch, Jordan Russell and the recently elevated Ben Hudson to their 2013 list. It is these players who could help the Magpies take the next step this year.
Heath Shaw. Sporting a white headband throughout the pre-season, the Pies defender brought typical energy - encouraging teammates and goofing around at appropriate moments. But when it was time to switch on, his skills, hard running and reading of the play came to the fore.
Sudden impact
With Travis Cloke as the focal point in the Pies' forward line, the stage is set for Quinten Lynch to excel in the second tall forward role. He has been one of Collingwood's strongest performers in the pre-season, and booted four goals in the team's final hit-out against Geelong. Could be vital in relieving pressure on Cloke this year.
It's crunch time for ...
Alan Didak. The Pies’ veteran managed just 11 games in 2012, battling groin injuries and a lack of form. Some of the club's young forwards are challenging and with retirement beckoning, a few moments of Didak magic could carry Collingwood over the line to a flag.
Pivotal match
It doesn't come much bigger than Carlton and their round two meeting shapes as one of the games of the season. Add the Mick Malthouse factor and a tense atmosphere between the traditional rivals is guaranteed. Collingwood has a tough start to the season with games against North Melbourne (round one), Carlton and Hawthorn (round three). The Pies went a combined 0-6 against those three last year.
Collingwood will have a good year if ...
... Cloke fires and Steele Sidebottom becomes 'elite'. Let's be clear, a 'good' year means a strong top four finish and a serious premiership tilt. With a star-studded midfield already in tow, it's up to Cloke to kick the team a winning score. Sidebottom is already a very good player - if he has a year like Dayne Beams had in 2012 then look out.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: Second
Friday, March 29, 2013
Round 1 Preview: North Melbourne v Collingwood
Sportal
The Pies are still a force to be reckoned with and that fact should come to the fore on Sunday.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 153, North Melbourne 49, Collingwood 102, drawn 2
LAST TIME: North Melbourne 13.13 (91) def Collingwood 8.13 (61), Round 21, 2012 at Etihad Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: North Melbourne head into their first clash of the season with a clean bill of health. The only unavailable Kangaroos are champion Brent Harvey and defender Scott McMahon who are both suspended. McMahon will be free to play in Round 2 but Harvey won't be eligible for senior action until Round 7 after his event-filled elimination final last year against West Coast.
The news isn't as good for Collingwood who will have to do without Andrew Krakouer (match fitness), Luke Ball (knee) and Alan Didak (hamstring) while Dale Thomas (ankle), Ben Reid (knee) and Alex Fasolo (hamstring) will all face tests to prove their fitness. Key defender Lachlan Keefe is still at least six weeks away from overcoming his knee injury and youngsters Corey Gault (groin), Brodie Grundy (back) and Tim Broomhead (glandular fever) are still a fair way off being available for selection.
FORM: The Kangaroos were one of the form teams of the NAB Cup and could have qualified for the night grand final had they defeated an undermanned Geelong outfit in Round 3 of the competition. But they disappointingly fell short by 12 points and were then pummelled by Hawthorn by 81 points a week later in their final practice match. Before those two losses, Brad Scott's men chalked up wins over Melbourne, Richmond and Gold Coast.
Collingwood's pre-season was very similar to North Melbourne's. The Magpies also won their first three matches against the Bulldogs, Essendon and, most impressively, West Coast in Perth. They too could have reached the NAB Cup Grand Final if they won their Round 3 encounter, but the Pies virtually played their reserves team against Brisbane and were duly defeated in comprehensive fashion. Nathan Buckley's charges then copped a 51-point hammering at the hands of Geelong at Simonds Stadium in their last hitout of the pre-season.
WE THINK: Collingwood might be missing a few stars, and Buckley might have publicly stated he believes they are the underdogs, but the Magpies have proven time and time again how well they cover injuries to key players. The Kangaroos finally turned the tables on their black-and-white tormentors late last year, having lost their previous four encounters by an average of 80.5 points, but the Pies are still a force to be reckoned with and that fact should come to the fore on Sunday. Collingwood by 22 points.
The Pies are still a force to be reckoned with and that fact should come to the fore on Sunday.
| Collingwood v North Melbourne Sunday, March 31 4.40pm Etihad Stadium FOX FOOTY Weather: Min 15 Max 21 Possible shower Betting: Collingwood $1.50 North Melbourne $2.60 |
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 153, North Melbourne 49, Collingwood 102, drawn 2
LAST TIME: North Melbourne 13.13 (91) def Collingwood 8.13 (61), Round 21, 2012 at Etihad Stadium
WALKING WOUNDED: North Melbourne head into their first clash of the season with a clean bill of health. The only unavailable Kangaroos are champion Brent Harvey and defender Scott McMahon who are both suspended. McMahon will be free to play in Round 2 but Harvey won't be eligible for senior action until Round 7 after his event-filled elimination final last year against West Coast.
The news isn't as good for Collingwood who will have to do without Andrew Krakouer (match fitness), Luke Ball (knee) and Alan Didak (hamstring) while Dale Thomas (ankle), Ben Reid (knee) and Alex Fasolo (hamstring) will all face tests to prove their fitness. Key defender Lachlan Keefe is still at least six weeks away from overcoming his knee injury and youngsters Corey Gault (groin), Brodie Grundy (back) and Tim Broomhead (glandular fever) are still a fair way off being available for selection.
FORM: The Kangaroos were one of the form teams of the NAB Cup and could have qualified for the night grand final had they defeated an undermanned Geelong outfit in Round 3 of the competition. But they disappointingly fell short by 12 points and were then pummelled by Hawthorn by 81 points a week later in their final practice match. Before those two losses, Brad Scott's men chalked up wins over Melbourne, Richmond and Gold Coast.
Collingwood's pre-season was very similar to North Melbourne's. The Magpies also won their first three matches against the Bulldogs, Essendon and, most impressively, West Coast in Perth. They too could have reached the NAB Cup Grand Final if they won their Round 3 encounter, but the Pies virtually played their reserves team against Brisbane and were duly defeated in comprehensive fashion. Nathan Buckley's charges then copped a 51-point hammering at the hands of Geelong at Simonds Stadium in their last hitout of the pre-season.
WE THINK: Collingwood might be missing a few stars, and Buckley might have publicly stated he believes they are the underdogs, but the Magpies have proven time and time again how well they cover injuries to key players. The Kangaroos finally turned the tables on their black-and-white tormentors late last year, having lost their previous four encounters by an average of 80.5 points, but the Pies are still a force to be reckoned with and that fact should come to the fore on Sunday. Collingwood by 22 points.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Round 1: The Team
| Collingwood v North Melbourne Sunday, March 31 4.40pm Etihad Stadium FOX FOOTY Weather: Min 15 Max 21 Possible shower Betting: Collingwood $1.50 North Melbourne $2.60 |
HB: Alan Toovey, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Jarryd Blair
HF: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Quinten Lynch
F: Ben Sinclair, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams
I/C: Martin Clarke, Sam Dwyer, Ben Johnson, Jordan Russell
Emerg: Jack Frost, Paul Seedsman, Josh Thomas
New: Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne), Jordan Russell (Carlton)
| Media | ||
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Collingwood has named a 25-man squad featuring five potential debutants ahead of Sunday's round one contest against North Melbourne. Established league footballers Jordan Russell and Quentin Lynch and recently elevated rookies Jack Frost and Sam Dwyer are all in the frame for their respective Magpie debuts with the 22-man side to be finalised on Friday afternoon. Injury plagued midfielder Josh Thomas has enjoyed a healthy NAB Cup campaign and could also make his long awaited arrival to the senior stage. There are a host of familiar names in the squad led by skipper Nick Maxwell and supported by vice captain Scott Pendlebury. The feel-good story of the squad is the return of Brent Macaffer. The mobile utility's future appeared rosy when he was a member of the 2010 premiership side in only his 26th senior game, but in the years since he has been plagued by injuries. His most recent appearance at senior level was in round 19, 2011. Should he play, Macaffer will wear the No. 3 jumper for the first time in a home and away fixture. It will mark a significant touchpoint in his career as he is wearing it in honour of his late teammate and friend John McCarthy. Collingwood is set to enter the match with only one established ruckman. Darren Jolly will shoulder a heavy burden in the absence of Jarrod Witts and Ben Hudson against North's ruck division of Todd Goldstein and Daniel Currie. |
COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has been forced to name two rookies in his squad set to take on North Melbourne on Sunday. Rookies Sam Dwyer and Jack Frost are on the extended bench along with Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman, Marty Clarke and former Carlton fringe player Jordan Russell. The Magpies injury list includes star playmaker Dale Thomas (ankle), Andrew Krakouer, Alex Fasolo and Luke Ball. Former West Coast Eagle Quinten Lynch has been named at half forward while Tyson Goldsack looks to have overcome his ankle injury and will play out of the goalsquare. |
JACK Frost is in for a hot introduction to the AFL when the Collingwood defender debuts on Sunday against North Melbourne. Coach Nathan Buckley says Frost is a prime example of the greater depth of talent that Collingwood will take into this season. The 21-year-old joined the Magpies in December through the rookie draft and his impressive pre-season prompted an elevation last week to the senior list. The Magpies will throw him into the deep end against North Melbourne, which features the three-pronged tall-forward set-up of Drew Petrie, Robbie Tarrant and Lachie Hansen. "One of the most positive aspects of our pre-season was the emergence of a couple of our rookie-list players," Buckley said. "Jack Frost . . . has proven his ability to shut down tall defenders with the absence (in the pre-season) of Nathan Brown and Ben Reid at times. "He adds to our depth there and it becomes important, shutting down North's talls. "They generally play that three-tall-forward set-up more often than not." While Collingwood will be without prime movers such as Luke Ball and Dale Thomas for round one, Buckley said they had more ability to cope. "As I've banged on about all pre-season, I feel like we have some great depth," he said. "We have a few injuries we'd rather do without, but the fact is we have the depth to cover it." Thomas and Andrew Krakouer will play for Collingwood's VFL team at the MCG in a curtain-raiser to the Carlton-Richmond match. |
Collingwood Bugle 2013 Tipping Competition: Round 1
| Round 1 March 31 Collingwood v North Melbourne |
Result: Collingwood by 16 Collingwood 15.13.103 North Melbourne 13.9.87 | |||
| Name | Winner | Margin | Points | Cumulative |
| Mark | Collingwood | 22 | 6 | 6 |
| Russell | Collingwood | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| Bill | Collingwood | 34 | 18 | 18 |
The rules:
- Each round you will be required to predict the winning team and the margin.
- Each round you will receive a score based on the accuracy of your prediction. For example, if you tip Collingwood to win by 10 points and they only win by 5, your weekly margin score will be 5 points. If you tip the Pies to win by 10 points and they lose by 15, your weekly margin score will be 25 (the difference between your prediction and the actual score).
- You will be ranked based on your cumulative margin, with the lowest score being rated highest.
- If you forget to enter your prediction for an upcoming round, you will receive 20 points.
Injury List
Collingwood News
Injury List As of Tuesday 26 March 2013 |
||
| Name | Injury | Estimated Time of Return |
| Corey Gault | Groin | Available |
| Andrew Krakouer | Match Fitness | Available |
| Jackson Paine | Concussion | Available |
| Dale Thomas | Ankle | Available |
| Alex Fasolo | Hamstring | Test |
| Ben Reid | Knee | Test |
| Jackson Ramsay | Groin | 1-2 weeks |
| Luke Ball | Knee | 2-3 weeks |
| Alan Didak | Hamstring | 2-3 weeks |
| Brodie Grundy | Back | 4-6 weeks |
| Michael Hartley | Shoulder | 6 weeks |
| Lachlan Keeffe | Knee | 6-8 weeks |
| Tim Broomhead | Glandular Fever | 8 weeks |
2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood
Sportal
Collingwood have enough class to be still in the mix for the premiership this season, especially with Krakouer, Ball and Brent Macaffer coming back into the team.
Team: Collingwood
Last Year: Finished fourth
Ins: Tim Broomhead (Port Adelaide), Brodie Grundy (Sturt), Ben Kennedy (Glenelg), Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Jackson Ramsay (East Perth), Jordan Russell (Carlton), Marley Williams (rookie elevation), Clinton Young (Hawthorn)
Outs: Simon Buckley (delisted), Jonathon Ceglar (delisted), Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Luke Rounds (delisted), Chris Tarrant (retired), Kirk Ugle (delisted), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Cameron Wood (delisted), Peter Yagmoor (delisted - re-drafted in rookie draft), Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)
What needs to go right: There's no chance Collingwood can avoid newspaper headlines, it's par for the course when you're the biggest club in the land. But the Magpies will be happy to avoid the ongoing off-field distractions from the last two seasons. In 2011 it was the Malthouse saga while last year saw Travis Cloke's protracted contract talks take centre stage. Already, though, the signs don't look good for the Pies in this regard as the focus on Dane Swan is as intensive as ever while Dale Thomas has also stirred the contract pot. On field, the Magpies will be looking for Cloke to return to his 2010-11 form but the ball still needs to get to him in an orderly way. Last year the Magpies' transition from defence to attack was inconsistent and sides like Hawthorn, Sydney and even Carlton managed to put mountains of pressure on Collingwood's half-backs to force turnovers. In the NAB Cup so far this year, coach Nathan Buckley appears to have put Malthouse's boundary-hugging game plan out to pasture as he looks for quicker transitions through the centre and with a quality target player like Lynch available to hit up, this may be a pretty good idea.
What could go wrong: Cloke could do his knee in the first few rounds. Having lost Chris Dawes to Melbourne there doesn't seem to be a readymade replacement for Cloke in the Collingwood team. Sure Lynch is there, but Lynch is not a full-forward and every time he was tried in that position with West Coast it simply didn't work. Along with his goalscoring, it's Cloke's ability to contest on the forward line that is particularly vital for it gives crumbers like Krakouer, Fasolo and Macaffer the chance to do their stuff.
Who's The Man: Dayne Beams. When Luke Ball went down with a season-ending knee injury during the Round 3 loss to Carlton last year, many thought the Magpies midfield would struggle to replace him, despite the likes of Swan and Scott Pendlebury still being there. But Beams stepped into the role beautifully, the 22-year-old taking his game to another level as he averaged over 30 possessions per match in 2012, a fair increase on his overall average of 23.3. And, even when Pendlebury went down for a few matches mid-season with a fractured leg, the Pies midfield generally didn't miss a beat.
What would cost Nathan Buckley his job: Short of saying he was going to defect to Carlton or Essendon - who knows the Bombers may need a coach at some stage this year if allegations against them are proven - then it's hard to see anything costing Buckley his job this season.
Best 22:
B: Russell, O'Brien, Brown
HB: Johnson, Reid, Shaw
C: Pendlebury, Swan, Toovey
HF: Young, Lynch, Goldsack
F: Thomas, Cloke, Krakouer
R: Jolly, Ball, Beams
I: Sidebottom, Macaffer, Fasolo, Blair
After Round 23: Collingwood have enough class to be still in the mix for the premiership this season, especially with Krakouer, Ball and Brent Macaffer coming back into the team. The big question over this team is their hunger. There's been times when the Pies have been as determined as ever over the last two seasons, but they haven't quite hit the mark come finals time. Last year there was a more than fair reason as the players farewelled the deceased John McCarthy the day before heading to Sydney for the preliminary final. But if Collingwood find that manic 2010 hunger to hunt the ball and the man, then they have some serious weaponry to have another crack at the flag. We think they'll finish the home-and-away season in third spot.
Collingwood have enough class to be still in the mix for the premiership this season, especially with Krakouer, Ball and Brent Macaffer coming back into the team.
Team: Collingwood
Last Year: Finished fourth
Ins: Tim Broomhead (Port Adelaide), Brodie Grundy (Sturt), Ben Kennedy (Glenelg), Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Jackson Ramsay (East Perth), Jordan Russell (Carlton), Marley Williams (rookie elevation), Clinton Young (Hawthorn)
Outs: Simon Buckley (delisted), Jonathon Ceglar (delisted), Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Luke Rounds (delisted), Chris Tarrant (retired), Kirk Ugle (delisted), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Cameron Wood (delisted), Peter Yagmoor (delisted - re-drafted in rookie draft), Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)
What needs to go right: There's no chance Collingwood can avoid newspaper headlines, it's par for the course when you're the biggest club in the land. But the Magpies will be happy to avoid the ongoing off-field distractions from the last two seasons. In 2011 it was the Malthouse saga while last year saw Travis Cloke's protracted contract talks take centre stage. Already, though, the signs don't look good for the Pies in this regard as the focus on Dane Swan is as intensive as ever while Dale Thomas has also stirred the contract pot. On field, the Magpies will be looking for Cloke to return to his 2010-11 form but the ball still needs to get to him in an orderly way. Last year the Magpies' transition from defence to attack was inconsistent and sides like Hawthorn, Sydney and even Carlton managed to put mountains of pressure on Collingwood's half-backs to force turnovers. In the NAB Cup so far this year, coach Nathan Buckley appears to have put Malthouse's boundary-hugging game plan out to pasture as he looks for quicker transitions through the centre and with a quality target player like Lynch available to hit up, this may be a pretty good idea.
What could go wrong: Cloke could do his knee in the first few rounds. Having lost Chris Dawes to Melbourne there doesn't seem to be a readymade replacement for Cloke in the Collingwood team. Sure Lynch is there, but Lynch is not a full-forward and every time he was tried in that position with West Coast it simply didn't work. Along with his goalscoring, it's Cloke's ability to contest on the forward line that is particularly vital for it gives crumbers like Krakouer, Fasolo and Macaffer the chance to do their stuff.
Who's The Man: Dayne Beams. When Luke Ball went down with a season-ending knee injury during the Round 3 loss to Carlton last year, many thought the Magpies midfield would struggle to replace him, despite the likes of Swan and Scott Pendlebury still being there. But Beams stepped into the role beautifully, the 22-year-old taking his game to another level as he averaged over 30 possessions per match in 2012, a fair increase on his overall average of 23.3. And, even when Pendlebury went down for a few matches mid-season with a fractured leg, the Pies midfield generally didn't miss a beat.
What would cost Nathan Buckley his job: Short of saying he was going to defect to Carlton or Essendon - who knows the Bombers may need a coach at some stage this year if allegations against them are proven - then it's hard to see anything costing Buckley his job this season.
Best 22:
B: Russell, O'Brien, Brown
HB: Johnson, Reid, Shaw
C: Pendlebury, Swan, Toovey
HF: Young, Lynch, Goldsack
F: Thomas, Cloke, Krakouer
R: Jolly, Ball, Beams
I: Sidebottom, Macaffer, Fasolo, Blair
After Round 23: Collingwood have enough class to be still in the mix for the premiership this season, especially with Krakouer, Ball and Brent Macaffer coming back into the team. The big question over this team is their hunger. There's been times when the Pies have been as determined as ever over the last two seasons, but they haven't quite hit the mark come finals time. Last year there was a more than fair reason as the players farewelled the deceased John McCarthy the day before heading to Sydney for the preliminary final. But if Collingwood find that manic 2010 hunger to hunt the ball and the man, then they have some serious weaponry to have another crack at the flag. We think they'll finish the home-and-away season in third spot.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Round 1 Pies v Roos: The Numbers
Collingwood News
Collingwoodfc.com.au has looked into the archives to extract the key facts and figures from Collingwood's 153 meetings with North Melbourne since the Roos joined the VFL in 1925.
Played: 153
Collingwood Won: 102
Collingwood Lost: 49
Drawn: 2
Since 2000
Collingwood: 12
North Melbourne: 7
At Etihad Stadium
Collingwood: 7
North Melbourne: 4
Round 21 2012 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood 8.13 (61)
North Melbourne 13.13 (91)
Goals - Collingwood: Beams 2, Blair, Fasolo, Didak, Sinclair, Tarrant, Pendlebury
North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Tarrant 3, Thomas 3. Hansen 2. Ziebell, Garlett
Best - Collingwood: Beams, Blair, Pendlebury, Thomas, Sidebottom
North Melbourne: Goldstein, Harvey, Thompson, Petrie, L.Delaney, McMahon, Hansen.
Brownlow: 3. S.Thompson (NM), 2. D.Beams (Coll), 1. T.Goldstein (NM)
Crowd: 44,956 at Etihad Stadium
Round 16 2011 at the MCG
Collingwood 22.15 (147)
North Melbourne 3.12 (30)
Goals - Collingwood: Sidebottom 4, Blair 3, L.Brown 3, Thomas 3, Swan 2, Cloke 2, Davis, Jolly, Wellingham, Shaw, Fasolo
North Melbourne: Harvey 2, Goldstein
Best - Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, Reid, Thomas, Sidebottom, Tarrant, Krakouer, Davis, Cloke
North Melbourne: Goldstein, Wells, Swallow, Rawlings, Ziebell
Brownlow: 3. D.Swan (Coll), 2. L.Davis (Coll), 1. S.Sidebottom (Coll)
Crowd: 53,601 at the MCG
Round 2 2011 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood 21.17 (143)
North Melbourne 7.14 (56)
Goals - Collingwood: Cloke 5, Beams 3, Didak 2, Dawes 2, Blair 2, Sidebottom 2, Pendlebury, Jolly, Thomas, Swan, Krakouer
North Melbourne: Thomas 2, Hansen 2, Cunnington, Goldstein, Anthony
Best - Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, Reid, Cloke, Dawes, Sidebottom, Thomas, Reid, Ball
North Melbourne: Harvey, Rawlings, Swallow, Firrito
Brownlow: 3. D.Swan (Coll), 2. S.Pendlebury (Coll), 1. H.O'Brien (Coll)
Crowd: 40,578 at Etihad Stadium
Round 7 2010 at the MCG
Collingwood 23.19 (157)
North Melbourne 14.7 (91)
Goals - Collingwood: Sidebottom 5, Medhurst 3, Davis 2, Dawes 2, Didak 2, Jolly 2, Johnson, Thomas, Toovey, Cloke, Shaw, O'Bree, Wood
North Melbourne: Thomas 3, Edwards 2, Wells 2, Warren 2, Hale 2, Swallow, Garlett, Harvey
Best - Collingwood: Shaw, Swan, Sidebottom, Jolly, Johnson, Ball
North Melbourne: Anthony, Harvey, Swallow, Rawlings, Thomas
Brownlow: 3. A.Didak (Coll), 2. D.Swan (Coll), 1. S.Sidebottom (Coll)
Crowd: 52,696 at the MCG
Round 6 2009 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood 19.13 (127)
North Melbourne 11.9 (75)
Goals - Collingwood: Lockyer 4, Cloke 2, Corrie 2, Anthony 2, Davis 2, Wellingham, Maxwell, Medhurst, Brown, Macaffer, Thomas, Swan
North Melbourne: Edwards 4, McIntosh 2, Thomas, Petrie, Harding, Firrito, Warren
Best - Collingwood: Lockyer, Davis, Swan, Pendlebury, Fraser, Wellingham, Corrie
North Melbourne: Simpson, Urquhart, Ziebell, Firrito, Swallow
Brownlow: 3. T.Lockyer (Coll), 2. L.Davis (Coll), 1. S.Pendlebury (Coll)
Crowd: 40,087 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood
Peter McKenna 11.0 in round five, 1975 at Arden Street
North Melbourne
Sel Murray 9.4 in round 17, 1938 at Victoria Park
Adrian McAdam 9.2 in round 10, 1993 at Victoria Park
Collingwood
Round 9 1990
Collingwood 26.20 (176) def. North Melbourne 14.12 (96)
Goals - Collingwood: Brown 7, Daicos 7, Manson 3, Russell 3, Richardson 2, Barwick, Millane, Crosisca, Tuddenham
North Melbourne: Allison 4, Longmire 4, McDonald 2, Fairley, McCarthy, Hamilton, Romero
North Melbourne
Round 21 1974
North Melbourne 25.15 (165)
Collingwood 10.14 (74)
Goals - North Melbourne: Wade 8, Baker 4, Briedis 3, Schimmelbusch 3, Kekovich 2, Davis, Dench, Dawson, Nolan, Feltham
Collingwood: McKenna 3, Oborne 2, Shaw, Richardson, Picken, Manassa, Dean
Collingwood
Round 13 1987
Collingwood 2.6 (18)
North Melbourne 10.12 (72)
Goals - Collingwood: Taylor 2
North Melbourne: Crocker 2, Larkin 2, German 2, J.Krakouer, P.Krakouer, Ackerly, McDonald
North Melbourne
Round 18 1934 at Victoria Park
North Melbourne 2.8 (20)
Collingwood 15.18 (108)
Goals - North Melbourne: Lewis, Long
Collingwood: Riley 3, Bowyer, G.Coventry, Doherty, Carmody, Fraser, Le Bruin
Collingwood
Round 16 2011 at the MCG
Collingwood 22.15 (147) def. North Melbourne 3.12 (30) by 117 points
Goals - Collingwood: Sidebottom 4, Blair 3, L.Brown 3, Thomas 3, Swan 2, Cloke 2, Davis, Jolly, Wellingham, Shaw, Fasolo
North Melbourne: Harvey 2, Goldstein
Collingwood
Round 21 1974 at Arden Street
North Melbourne 25.15 (165) def. Collingwood 10.14 (74) by 91 points
Goals - North Melbourne: Wade 8, Baker 4, Briedis 3, Schimmelbusch 3, Kekovich 2, Davis, Dench, Dawson, Nolan, Feltham
Collingwood: McKenna 3, Oborne 2, Shaw, Richardson, Picken, Manassa, Dean
Collingwoodfc.com.au has looked into the archives to extract the key facts and figures from Collingwood's 153 meetings with North Melbourne since the Roos joined the VFL in 1925.
Head to Head
Played: 153
Collingwood Won: 102
Collingwood Lost: 49
Drawn: 2
Since 2000
Collingwood: 12
North Melbourne: 7
At Etihad Stadium
Collingwood: 7
North Melbourne: 4
Last Five
Round 21 2012 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood 8.13 (61)
North Melbourne 13.13 (91)
Goals - Collingwood: Beams 2, Blair, Fasolo, Didak, Sinclair, Tarrant, Pendlebury
North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Tarrant 3, Thomas 3. Hansen 2. Ziebell, Garlett
Best - Collingwood: Beams, Blair, Pendlebury, Thomas, Sidebottom
North Melbourne: Goldstein, Harvey, Thompson, Petrie, L.Delaney, McMahon, Hansen.
Brownlow: 3. S.Thompson (NM), 2. D.Beams (Coll), 1. T.Goldstein (NM)
Crowd: 44,956 at Etihad Stadium
Round 16 2011 at the MCG
Collingwood 22.15 (147)
North Melbourne 3.12 (30)
Goals - Collingwood: Sidebottom 4, Blair 3, L.Brown 3, Thomas 3, Swan 2, Cloke 2, Davis, Jolly, Wellingham, Shaw, Fasolo
North Melbourne: Harvey 2, Goldstein
Best - Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, Reid, Thomas, Sidebottom, Tarrant, Krakouer, Davis, Cloke
North Melbourne: Goldstein, Wells, Swallow, Rawlings, Ziebell
Brownlow: 3. D.Swan (Coll), 2. L.Davis (Coll), 1. S.Sidebottom (Coll)
Crowd: 53,601 at the MCG
Round 2 2011 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood 21.17 (143)
North Melbourne 7.14 (56)
Goals - Collingwood: Cloke 5, Beams 3, Didak 2, Dawes 2, Blair 2, Sidebottom 2, Pendlebury, Jolly, Thomas, Swan, Krakouer
North Melbourne: Thomas 2, Hansen 2, Cunnington, Goldstein, Anthony
Best - Collingwood: Swan, Pendlebury, Reid, Cloke, Dawes, Sidebottom, Thomas, Reid, Ball
North Melbourne: Harvey, Rawlings, Swallow, Firrito
Brownlow: 3. D.Swan (Coll), 2. S.Pendlebury (Coll), 1. H.O'Brien (Coll)
Crowd: 40,578 at Etihad Stadium
Round 7 2010 at the MCG
Collingwood 23.19 (157)
North Melbourne 14.7 (91)
Goals - Collingwood: Sidebottom 5, Medhurst 3, Davis 2, Dawes 2, Didak 2, Jolly 2, Johnson, Thomas, Toovey, Cloke, Shaw, O'Bree, Wood
North Melbourne: Thomas 3, Edwards 2, Wells 2, Warren 2, Hale 2, Swallow, Garlett, Harvey
Best - Collingwood: Shaw, Swan, Sidebottom, Jolly, Johnson, Ball
North Melbourne: Anthony, Harvey, Swallow, Rawlings, Thomas
Brownlow: 3. A.Didak (Coll), 2. D.Swan (Coll), 1. S.Sidebottom (Coll)
Crowd: 52,696 at the MCG
Round 6 2009 at Etihad Stadium
Collingwood 19.13 (127)
North Melbourne 11.9 (75)
Goals - Collingwood: Lockyer 4, Cloke 2, Corrie 2, Anthony 2, Davis 2, Wellingham, Maxwell, Medhurst, Brown, Macaffer, Thomas, Swan
North Melbourne: Edwards 4, McIntosh 2, Thomas, Petrie, Harding, Firrito, Warren
Best - Collingwood: Lockyer, Davis, Swan, Pendlebury, Fraser, Wellingham, Corrie
North Melbourne: Simpson, Urquhart, Ziebell, Firrito, Swallow
Brownlow: 3. T.Lockyer (Coll), 2. L.Davis (Coll), 1. S.Pendlebury (Coll)
Crowd: 40,087 at Etihad Stadium
Most Goals in a Game
Collingwood
Peter McKenna 11.0 in round five, 1975 at Arden Street
North Melbourne
Sel Murray 9.4 in round 17, 1938 at Victoria Park
Adrian McAdam 9.2 in round 10, 1993 at Victoria Park
Highest Scores
Collingwood
Round 9 1990
Collingwood 26.20 (176) def. North Melbourne 14.12 (96)
Goals - Collingwood: Brown 7, Daicos 7, Manson 3, Russell 3, Richardson 2, Barwick, Millane, Crosisca, Tuddenham
North Melbourne: Allison 4, Longmire 4, McDonald 2, Fairley, McCarthy, Hamilton, Romero
North Melbourne
Round 21 1974
North Melbourne 25.15 (165)
Collingwood 10.14 (74)
Goals - North Melbourne: Wade 8, Baker 4, Briedis 3, Schimmelbusch 3, Kekovich 2, Davis, Dench, Dawson, Nolan, Feltham
Collingwood: McKenna 3, Oborne 2, Shaw, Richardson, Picken, Manassa, Dean
Lowest Scores
Collingwood
Round 13 1987
Collingwood 2.6 (18)
North Melbourne 10.12 (72)
Goals - Collingwood: Taylor 2
North Melbourne: Crocker 2, Larkin 2, German 2, J.Krakouer, P.Krakouer, Ackerly, McDonald
North Melbourne
Round 18 1934 at Victoria Park
North Melbourne 2.8 (20)
Collingwood 15.18 (108)
Goals - North Melbourne: Lewis, Long
Collingwood: Riley 3, Bowyer, G.Coventry, Doherty, Carmody, Fraser, Le Bruin
Greatest winning margin
Collingwood
Round 16 2011 at the MCG
Collingwood 22.15 (147) def. North Melbourne 3.12 (30) by 117 points
Goals - Collingwood: Sidebottom 4, Blair 3, L.Brown 3, Thomas 3, Swan 2, Cloke 2, Davis, Jolly, Wellingham, Shaw, Fasolo
North Melbourne: Harvey 2, Goldstein
Greatest losing margin
Collingwood
Round 21 1974 at Arden Street
North Melbourne 25.15 (165) def. Collingwood 10.14 (74) by 91 points
Goals - North Melbourne: Wade 8, Baker 4, Briedis 3, Schimmelbusch 3, Kekovich 2, Davis, Dench, Dawson, Nolan, Feltham
Collingwood: McKenna 3, Oborne 2, Shaw, Richardson, Picken, Manassa, Dean
Did You Know?
- Collingwood and North Melbourne made history when they fought out the final Under-19 Grand Final back in 1991. The two teams met out at Waverley Park on Grand Final day in the final match in the competition's history before it made way for the TAC Cup. The Kangaroos overcame Keith Burns' Magpies by 38 points, winning 14.15 (9) to 8.13 (61).
- Five years earlier, the Magpies had enjoyed success against the Roos in the Under-19 Grand Final. It was the last of the club's four Under-19 premierships. Captain Jason Croall kept Mick Martyn quiet aft full back and led Collingwood to a 16-point win. The final score was 12.11 (83) to 9.13 (67).
- The last time Collingwood met North Melbourne in round one was back in 2007. The match is famous for Kangaroo Shannon Grant's poster from point blank range with only minutes remaining. Grant had received a contentious 50m penalty after it was deemed that Heath Shaw had held him for too long after marking 50m out from goal. Inexplicably, he was moved only 40m closer to goal. Even so, players like Grant usually eat those sorts of goals for breakfast. But on this occasion, he kicked the ball too hard and hooked it onto the right goal post. The kick allowed Collingwood to cling to a three-point win with James Clement starring at half back.
- Collingwood's last match on Easter Sunday was played against Carlton in round two, 1999, when the Blues won by 29-points. That match is famous for Nathan Buckley's broken jaw. Early in the match, Buckley was bumped by Carlton's Justin Murphy and cracked his jaw. The new Collingwood skipper was to sit out the next five rounds as his team slumped to last on the ladder.
2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood
REAL FOOTY
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has conceded that many of his players have been guilty of trying to win premierships on talent alone in the past few years.
In an indicator that the Pies need to work harder, Buckley said the coaching staff had explored the notion that closer bonds must be formed between players and that they could no longer rely on just their playing ability to achieve the ultimate success in 2013.
Collingwood will begin its quest for a second flag in four years when it takes on North Melbourne a week on Sunday - but will do it without Dale Thomas after the club on Thursday all but ruled out the star midfielder for round one.
Captain Nick Maxwell and premiership ruckman Darren Jolly both said this week they believe the current Collingwood list is the most talented and deepest they have seen in their time at the club.
It is an appraisal shared by many, but Buckley said the Pies would need more than talent to outlast the AFL's other highly rated teams such as Hawthorn, Sydney and West Coast.
Sydney was lauded last season for winning the premiership on the back of its ''bloods'' culture, which centres around team unity, rather than a superior list.
''The days of this group of players thinking they can go out on the football field expecting that talent is just going to get the job done, they are long gone,'' Buckley told the players at the club's season launch. ''The competition is fierce, it's tough and it's tight. We've done the work, and we are prepared and we are ready.
''But what we have explored is the fact that, yes, we have a deep list, we have a talented list … but it's not about talent for us.
''In the end, it's going to be the bonds between the individuals that play, the bonds that are developed and have been developed through pre-season.''
The Magpies had received AFL permission to play Thomas in a VFL practice match this weekend but decided to hold him back for one more week as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.
Thomas, who did not play in the NAB Cup, will now wait until Thursday for a game against the Australian Institute of Sport side - the curtain-raiser before the Carlton-Richmond blockbuster at the MCG.
''That's the week of round one, that's the Thursday and we play Sunday, so I don't think he's going to play first-up [against North] having had no preparation over the summer,'' Magpies director of football Geoff Walsh said.
Collingwood remains confident defender Ben Reid (knee) can play the season opener.
And veteran Jolly is ''very confident'' of playing against the Roos.
Jolly revealed on Thursday that there was concern after the club's final pre-season game against Geelong last Friday that he had suffered lung damage from a heavy knock to the back.
''It's all good now … I will look after this week and be ready to go next week,'' Jolly said.
Half-forward Tyson Goldsack will play in the VFL hitout on Friday as he comes back from ankle surgery.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has conceded that many of his players have been guilty of trying to win premierships on talent alone in the past few years.
In an indicator that the Pies need to work harder, Buckley said the coaching staff had explored the notion that closer bonds must be formed between players and that they could no longer rely on just their playing ability to achieve the ultimate success in 2013.
Collingwood will begin its quest for a second flag in four years when it takes on North Melbourne a week on Sunday - but will do it without Dale Thomas after the club on Thursday all but ruled out the star midfielder for round one.
Captain Nick Maxwell and premiership ruckman Darren Jolly both said this week they believe the current Collingwood list is the most talented and deepest they have seen in their time at the club.
It is an appraisal shared by many, but Buckley said the Pies would need more than talent to outlast the AFL's other highly rated teams such as Hawthorn, Sydney and West Coast.
Sydney was lauded last season for winning the premiership on the back of its ''bloods'' culture, which centres around team unity, rather than a superior list.
''The days of this group of players thinking they can go out on the football field expecting that talent is just going to get the job done, they are long gone,'' Buckley told the players at the club's season launch. ''The competition is fierce, it's tough and it's tight. We've done the work, and we are prepared and we are ready.
''But what we have explored is the fact that, yes, we have a deep list, we have a talented list … but it's not about talent for us.
''In the end, it's going to be the bonds between the individuals that play, the bonds that are developed and have been developed through pre-season.''
The Magpies had received AFL permission to play Thomas in a VFL practice match this weekend but decided to hold him back for one more week as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.
Thomas, who did not play in the NAB Cup, will now wait until Thursday for a game against the Australian Institute of Sport side - the curtain-raiser before the Carlton-Richmond blockbuster at the MCG.
''That's the week of round one, that's the Thursday and we play Sunday, so I don't think he's going to play first-up [against North] having had no preparation over the summer,'' Magpies director of football Geoff Walsh said.
Collingwood remains confident defender Ben Reid (knee) can play the season opener.
And veteran Jolly is ''very confident'' of playing against the Roos.
Jolly revealed on Thursday that there was concern after the club's final pre-season game against Geelong last Friday that he had suffered lung damage from a heavy knock to the back.
''It's all good now … I will look after this week and be ready to go next week,'' Jolly said.
Half-forward Tyson Goldsack will play in the VFL hitout on Friday as he comes back from ankle surgery.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Punters Pick Pies For Flag
Sports News
With the 2013 AFL season now underway, punters with online bookmaker sportsbet are beginning to make it clear which teams they want to be on to win the flag, and it may not be last year’s grand finalists.
And in a sign of how even this season is tipped to be, not surprisingly the money from punters has been even over a number of teams.
Although Hawthorn have again entered the season as favourites, the punters aren’t convinced, with Collingwood and Geelong emerging as the best backed teams.
In an even bigger surprise, reigning premiers Sydney have also attracted no interest from punters.
2013 AFL betting trends:
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au:
With the 2013 AFL season now underway, punters with online bookmaker sportsbet are beginning to make it clear which teams they want to be on to win the flag, and it may not be last year’s grand finalists.
And in a sign of how even this season is tipped to be, not surprisingly the money from punters has been even over a number of teams.
Although Hawthorn have again entered the season as favourites, the punters aren’t convinced, with Collingwood and Geelong emerging as the best backed teams.
In an even bigger surprise, reigning premiers Sydney have also attracted no interest from punters.
2013 AFL betting trends:
- After opening at $4.00 to win the flag following their 2012 Grand Final loss, the Hawks have been friendless over the pre-season, drifting out to $5.00. Despite being favourites, they are only the 6th best backed team overall.
- Collingwood have not only flown under the radar at $7.50, but have received more money to win the flag than any other team.
- Punters think that Geelong have one more shot at the title left in them, and are the second best backed team overall. They have been the biggest movers of the top chances, now into $9.00 after opening at $18. Two smart punters were quick to jump on at their big odds, placing individual bets of $10,000 at $18 and $14 respectively.
- The Kangaroos have attracted a lot of interest from punters and are the fourth best backed team at $34.
- Despite winning last year’s flag and getting the services of Kurt Tippett in the second half of the year, the Swans are only the 5th best backed team at $7.00.
- Port Adelaide have received the least amount of bets and money to win the flag than any other team ($151), including GWS ($1001) and Gold Coast ($751).
- It looks like the Tigers will finally make the finals, firming from $2.01 to $1.80 to make the top 8.
- Not only are punters tipping the Pies for the flag, but they look to be the safest bet to make the finals at $1.25, with over $100,000 already bet on them to do so.
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au:
| Best backed teams by the punters | |
| 1st – Collingwood 2nd – Geelong 3rd – West Coast 4th – North Melbourne 5th – Sydney 6th – Hawthorn 7th – Carlton 8th – Fremantle 9th – Essendon |
10th – Adelaide 11th – Brisbane 12th – Richmond 13th – Melbourne 14th – St Kilda 15th – Western Bulldogs 16th – Gold Coast 17th – GWS 18th – Port Adelaide |
| 2013 Premiership winner (Prices in brackets from when the market opened on September 28th) |
|
| $5.00 Hawthorn (out from $4.00) $7.00 Sydney (out from $6.00) $7.50 West Coast (out from $6.00) $7.50 Collingwood (in from $8.10) $9.00 Geelong (in from $18) $10 Carlton (in from $12) $10 Fremantle (in from $10.90) $16 Adelaide (out from $9.00) $17 Essendon (out from $12) |
$23 Richmond (out from $18.50) $34 St Kilda (out from $15) $34 North Melbourne (out from $18.50) $67 Brisbane (out from $44) $151 Port Adelaide (out from $64) $251 Melbourne (out from $126) $401 Western Bulldogs (out from $126) $751 Gold Coast (out from $251) $1001 GWS (out from $251) |
| 2013 Wooden Spoon (Prices in brackets from when the market opened on October 31st) |
|
| $1.45 GWS (out from $1.36) $5.50 Gold Coast (out from $5.00) $6.50 Western Bulldogs (in from $8.00) $12 Melbourne (in from $15) $17 Essendon (in from $251) $21 Port Adelaide (out from $16) $51 Brisbane Lions (in from $81) $201 St Kilda (steady) $251 Adelaide (in from $501) |
$251 North Melbourne (steady) $251 Richmond (steady) $251 West Coast (in from $501) $501 Carlton (steady) $501 Collingwood (steady) $501 Fremantle (steady) $501 Geelong (steady) $1001 Hawthorn (steady) $1001 Sydney (out from $501) |
| To make the top 8 (Prices in brackets from when market opened on 29th October) |
|
| $1.10 Hawthorn (steady) $1.16 Sydney (out from $1.10) $1.25 Collingwood (in from $1.51) $1.25 Fremantle (in from $1.46) $1.33 West Coast (out from $1.10) $1.36 Carlton (in from $1.67) $1.40 Geelong (in from $1.52) $1.57 Adelaide (out from $1.36) $1.75 Essendon (in from $1.92) |
$1.80 Richmond (in from $2.01) $2.75 St Kilda (out from $2.50) $2.75 North Melbourne (out from $2.55) $2.85 Brisbane (in from $3.55) $9.00 Port Adelaide (in from $9.70) $11 Melbourne (in from $13.50) $21 Western Bulldogs (out from $17) $26 Gold Coast (in from $121) $61 GWS (in from $501) |
| To make the top 4 (Prices in brackets from when market opened on 29th October) |
|
| $1.50 Hawthorn (out from $1.42) $1.80 Sydney (steady) $2.10 Collingwood (in from $3.00) $2.20 West Coast (out from $1.90) $2.25 Fremantle (in from $3.25) $2.85 Carlton (in from $3.00) $3.00 Geelong (steady) $3.74 Essendon (in from $6.00) $4.00 Richmond (in from $5.00) |
$4.50 Adelaide (out from $2.40) $6.00 St Kilda (steady) $8.00 Brisbane (in from $12) $8.00 North Melbourne (in from $7.50) $51 Melbourne (in from $101) $51 Port Adelaide (steady) $101 Western Bulldogs (steady) $501 GWS (in from $1001) $501 Gold Coast (steady) |
| Round 1 (Prices in brackets from Friday 22nd March) |
|
| $1.70 Carlton (steady) $2.18 Richmond (steady) $1.48 Brisbane (in from $1.50) $2.65 Western Bulldogs (out from $2.55) $1.06 Sydney (steady) $9.00 GWS (steady) $1.27 St Kilda (steady) $3.75 Gold Coast (steady) |
$1.85 Melbourne (out from $1.80) $1.95 Port Adelaide (in from $2.00) $1.50 Collingwood (steady) $2.55 North Melbourne (steady) $1.60 Hawthorn (out from $1.55) $2.30 Geelong (in from $2.45) |
| AFL Round 2 | |
| $1.78 Richmond (steady) $1.95 St Kilda (steady) $1.04 Sydney (steady) $9.00 Gold Coast (steady) $1.24 Fremantle (in from $1.33) $3.75 Western Bulldogs (out from $3.10) $1.85 Brisbane (in from $2.00) $1.90 Adelaide (out from $1.75) $1.16 Essendon (in from $1.22) $4.75 Melbourne (out from $4.00) |
$1.33 Port Adelaide (steady) $3.10 GWS (steady) $1.43 Geelong (steady) $2.65 North Melbourne (steady) $1.53 Collingwood (out from $1.50) $2.40 Carlton (in from $2.45) $1.80 West Coast (out from $1.62) $2.00 Hawthorn (in from $2.20) |
Collingwood Chronicle: Ron Todd
REAL FOOTY (Trevor Grant)
Since 1986, football supporters have looked up at Harold Freedman's striking mural on the main grandstand at Waverley Park and marvelled at the celebration of Australian football and the human form.
The grandstand which it adorns was thankfully saved from the wreckers in 2002 but these days the only fans who see it are those who watch the Hawks train at the former VFL-AFL ground.
It depicts a wonderful array of VFL legends and, appropriately, at the top are the legendary goalkickers such as Bob Pratt, John Coleman, Doug Wade, Royce Hart and Alex Jesaulenko in full flight.
Oddly, though, perched above them all, is a goalkicking genius who left his club for money at 23 in 1939, after just four seasons, and had so incensed club officials that, according to legend, his picture was turned to the wall in the clubrooms until 1964.
His name is Ron Todd, and even if his predecessor at Collingwood and VFL goalkicking record-holder, Gordon Coventry is, strangely, not there with the high-fliers in the mural, Todd deserves his place in this pantheon of legends.
He also deserved his place in Collingwood's Team of The Century, which was chosen in 1997. Sadly, though, this never happened, not because he wasn't deemed good enough, but because of a family grudge that had lasted almost 60 years.
The selectors - Kevin Rose (chairman), Eddie McGuire, Ron Richards, John McHale and myself - chose Todd at centre half-forward when we met in the musty rooms under the dilapidated Ryder grandstand early in the 1997 season. But the 1958 premiership captain, Murray Weideman, appears at centre half-forward while Todd is not in the team.
The reason is that the then 82-year-old John McHale, a former player, committeeman and, most importantly, son of the fabled Collingwood coach Jock McHale, had objected strongly to Rose after the meeting about Todd being in the team.
When I arrived back at my office after the selections had been supposedly finalised, I received a phone call from Rose telling me that McHale, who had said little at the meeting, wanted no part of Todd in the team. I was shocked but in the end any objection was useless. A Collingwood man carrying the name McHale was always going to have his way. I was informed that Todd had been replaced by Weideman.
This sentiment towards Todd was a family hangover from 1940 when Jock McHale was one of many Collingwood officials angered by Todd's decision to leave for a much more lucrative package at VFA club Williamstown.
Todd, who received £500 to sign for Williamstown, was understandably miffed that he received as little as £65 a season when he passed the century mark for Collingwood in 1938 and 1939.
What's more, the Collingwood committee refused to pay him any big increases once the Williamstown offer was known. I have approached McGuire, club president since 1998, about Todd's wrongful exclusion on a couple of occasions. The last time was at the MCG in November, 2011. He told me that everything had been ''fixed up'' because Todd had been admitted to the Collingwood Hall of Fame in 2011.
I do not agree. While Hall of Fame induction is certainly an honour, there is no comparison between it and selection in the Team of The Century. For example, worthy servant Paul Licuria was inducted on the same night as Todd. Licuria won two best-and-fairest awards but he could never be rated in the same league as Todd.
There will be many more players of Licuria's ilk make the Hall of Fame, as happened last week when members of the 1953 Magpie premiership team were inducted. But there will only ever be one centre half-forward in the first Team of Century, forever a reference point for Magpie greatness in those first 100 years.
Todd made his debut at 18 in 1935, warming the bench the entire game. He had to play second fiddle to Coventry, but stepped into the breach superbly, kicking four goals in the 1936 grand final victory while Coventry was suspended. Todd then kicked 62 goals from centre half-forward in 1937 - Coventry's final season.
Once given free rein at full-forward, he was unstoppable. He snared 120 and 121 goals respectively in 1938 and 1939 to win the VFL goalkicking in both seasons, averaging six goals a game. This included successive hauls of 11 goals in two preliminary finals.
The enduring Coventry (1299 goals in 306 matches) was the obvious full-forward in Collingwood's Team of the Century; almost as obvious was Todd (327 goals in 76 games) at centre half-forward.
Few VFL-AFL football historians have doubted that this pair were the greatest ever Magpie key forwards, and the Team of the Century selectors concurred.
Todd, who died in 1991, was deserving of better treatment from Collingwood in 1940 and in 1997.
It's time to admit the mistake and do something about it.
I have agonised about telling this story since it happened 15 years ago. Being involved in it makes it so much harder, even though I was under no confidentiality agreement.
I expect to be a target of criticism from Collingwood people for telling this story. But I have decided to do so - for the sake of Todd's reputation and his family, and because it is the truth; and the history of this great club deserves nothing but the truth.
Since 1986, football supporters have looked up at Harold Freedman's striking mural on the main grandstand at Waverley Park and marvelled at the celebration of Australian football and the human form.
The grandstand which it adorns was thankfully saved from the wreckers in 2002 but these days the only fans who see it are those who watch the Hawks train at the former VFL-AFL ground.
It depicts a wonderful array of VFL legends and, appropriately, at the top are the legendary goalkickers such as Bob Pratt, John Coleman, Doug Wade, Royce Hart and Alex Jesaulenko in full flight.
Oddly, though, perched above them all, is a goalkicking genius who left his club for money at 23 in 1939, after just four seasons, and had so incensed club officials that, according to legend, his picture was turned to the wall in the clubrooms until 1964.
His name is Ron Todd, and even if his predecessor at Collingwood and VFL goalkicking record-holder, Gordon Coventry is, strangely, not there with the high-fliers in the mural, Todd deserves his place in this pantheon of legends.
He also deserved his place in Collingwood's Team of The Century, which was chosen in 1997. Sadly, though, this never happened, not because he wasn't deemed good enough, but because of a family grudge that had lasted almost 60 years.
The selectors - Kevin Rose (chairman), Eddie McGuire, Ron Richards, John McHale and myself - chose Todd at centre half-forward when we met in the musty rooms under the dilapidated Ryder grandstand early in the 1997 season. But the 1958 premiership captain, Murray Weideman, appears at centre half-forward while Todd is not in the team.
The reason is that the then 82-year-old John McHale, a former player, committeeman and, most importantly, son of the fabled Collingwood coach Jock McHale, had objected strongly to Rose after the meeting about Todd being in the team.
When I arrived back at my office after the selections had been supposedly finalised, I received a phone call from Rose telling me that McHale, who had said little at the meeting, wanted no part of Todd in the team. I was shocked but in the end any objection was useless. A Collingwood man carrying the name McHale was always going to have his way. I was informed that Todd had been replaced by Weideman.
This sentiment towards Todd was a family hangover from 1940 when Jock McHale was one of many Collingwood officials angered by Todd's decision to leave for a much more lucrative package at VFA club Williamstown.
Todd, who received £500 to sign for Williamstown, was understandably miffed that he received as little as £65 a season when he passed the century mark for Collingwood in 1938 and 1939.
What's more, the Collingwood committee refused to pay him any big increases once the Williamstown offer was known. I have approached McGuire, club president since 1998, about Todd's wrongful exclusion on a couple of occasions. The last time was at the MCG in November, 2011. He told me that everything had been ''fixed up'' because Todd had been admitted to the Collingwood Hall of Fame in 2011.
I do not agree. While Hall of Fame induction is certainly an honour, there is no comparison between it and selection in the Team of The Century. For example, worthy servant Paul Licuria was inducted on the same night as Todd. Licuria won two best-and-fairest awards but he could never be rated in the same league as Todd.
There will be many more players of Licuria's ilk make the Hall of Fame, as happened last week when members of the 1953 Magpie premiership team were inducted. But there will only ever be one centre half-forward in the first Team of Century, forever a reference point for Magpie greatness in those first 100 years.
Todd made his debut at 18 in 1935, warming the bench the entire game. He had to play second fiddle to Coventry, but stepped into the breach superbly, kicking four goals in the 1936 grand final victory while Coventry was suspended. Todd then kicked 62 goals from centre half-forward in 1937 - Coventry's final season.
Once given free rein at full-forward, he was unstoppable. He snared 120 and 121 goals respectively in 1938 and 1939 to win the VFL goalkicking in both seasons, averaging six goals a game. This included successive hauls of 11 goals in two preliminary finals.
The enduring Coventry (1299 goals in 306 matches) was the obvious full-forward in Collingwood's Team of the Century; almost as obvious was Todd (327 goals in 76 games) at centre half-forward.
Few VFL-AFL football historians have doubted that this pair were the greatest ever Magpie key forwards, and the Team of the Century selectors concurred.
Todd, who died in 1991, was deserving of better treatment from Collingwood in 1940 and in 1997.
It's time to admit the mistake and do something about it.
I have agonised about telling this story since it happened 15 years ago. Being involved in it makes it so much harder, even though I was under no confidentiality agreement.
I expect to be a target of criticism from Collingwood people for telling this story. But I have decided to do so - for the sake of Todd's reputation and his family, and because it is the truth; and the history of this great club deserves nothing but the truth.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood
SUPERFOOTY - PAUL ROOS
THE most frequently asked question in the off-season is ''who do you think will win the premiership?''
This is closely followed by ''how do you think my team will go?''
The only guide is what happened last year and for that reason I believe the premiers will come from one of Sydney, Hawthorn, Collingwood or West Coast.
SYDNEY
THE reigning premiers face some challenges in going back to back.
The Swans don't look to have had a great pre-season and are going into season 2013 a little underdone.
That is not unusual for a premiership team as they start pre-season a month later than most sides. This factor has been helped by a soft start to the season with the Giants and the Suns.
They must not fall into the trap of taking either side lightly and pick the fittest team that they can.
Age may be a factor for the Swans, but there were no signs last year that players such as Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Ryan O'Keefe were slowing down.
The reason I believe the the Swans can go back-to-back is there is significant improvement left in players such as Hannebury, Reid, Jetta, Parker and new skipper Kieren Jack.
HAWTHORN
THE Hawks seem to be most people's premiership favourites and deservedly so.
I thought the Hawks were exposed in last year's Grand Final when the Swans players 15-22 were far better than those of the Hawks.
We know of the Hawks star power, but they must unearth more consistent role players to hold the cup aloft.
Brian Lake is an excellent good addition if he can get on the field regularly and, at his best, he is the key position defender the Hawks have been crying out for.
COLLINGWOOD
I BELIEVE the Pies are as well placed as any of these four teams to win a premiership.
On pure talent they can assemble the best 22 players.
They have the star power, depth, and great role players to fill their fans with confidence.
There is possibly two concerns for the Magpie army.
First, they must find a better balance between attack and defence. In their quest last year to become a more aggressive ball using team they certainly became much more exposed defensively.
I'm sure coach Nathan Buckley would have been stressing this during the pre-season. They must get back to becoming one of the most difficult teams to score against in the competition.
Second, sometimes their players can be their own worst enemies.
I applaud Nathan for his team first approach and trying to set high on-field and off-field standards. It is time for all Collingwood players to understand football is a team game and requires you to put the team first.
WEST COAST
THE Eagles have built nicely over the last couple of seasons. With a very talented list and 11 home games it is hard to see them not figuring in the premiership hunt.
Their ground is so big it's the most difficult for rival teams to play. Whilst this is a huge positive in order to reach the finals we know that premierships are won at the MCG.
Like the Swans, they do have some aging veterans who appear to be playing great football.
There is also tremendous upside in the young array of talent that they have assembled over the past six or seven years.
If the veterans continue to hold up and the youngsters improve as Woosha would hope a repeat of 2006 is very much on the cards.
WHO WILL JUMP?
THERE always appears to be a team that jumps up out of nowhere and last year it was the Adelaide Crows. I don't have them in my top four and think they may drop down the ladder.
The loss of Tippet is a big one, and time will tell as to whether they played at their absolutely optimum last season.
That brings us to the next debate as to who may jump up in 2013.
I believe the two most likely teams, despite the Brisbane Lions' outstanding pre-season, are Richmond and Essendon.
The only reason I don't have them in the eight is because I can't make a case for other teams to drop out.
Richmond's biggest problem last season was losing close games and there is no doubt that would have been a huge focus in their off-season.
Role-playing at training and placing players in game like situations would have happened on a regular basis. If they can arrest that worrying trend and win the close games, finals are a genuine consideration.
The Bombers' best 22 looks competitive. Last year they were cruelled by injury and also struggled to match the top teams run.
They looked to have had a much harder pre-season and will start 2013 a lot more confident with their running capacity.
Zaharakis is extremely important to them as he will give them another hard-running midfielder, something they lacked last year.
If they can put the turmoil of the off-season out of their minds, they like Richmond, will genuinely challenge for a spot in the eight.
THE most frequently asked question in the off-season is ''who do you think will win the premiership?''
This is closely followed by ''how do you think my team will go?''
The only guide is what happened last year and for that reason I believe the premiers will come from one of Sydney, Hawthorn, Collingwood or West Coast.
SYDNEY
THE reigning premiers face some challenges in going back to back.
The Swans don't look to have had a great pre-season and are going into season 2013 a little underdone.
That is not unusual for a premiership team as they start pre-season a month later than most sides. This factor has been helped by a soft start to the season with the Giants and the Suns.
They must not fall into the trap of taking either side lightly and pick the fittest team that they can.
Age may be a factor for the Swans, but there were no signs last year that players such as Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton and Ryan O'Keefe were slowing down.
The reason I believe the the Swans can go back-to-back is there is significant improvement left in players such as Hannebury, Reid, Jetta, Parker and new skipper Kieren Jack.
HAWTHORN
THE Hawks seem to be most people's premiership favourites and deservedly so.
I thought the Hawks were exposed in last year's Grand Final when the Swans players 15-22 were far better than those of the Hawks.
We know of the Hawks star power, but they must unearth more consistent role players to hold the cup aloft.
Brian Lake is an excellent good addition if he can get on the field regularly and, at his best, he is the key position defender the Hawks have been crying out for.
COLLINGWOOD
I BELIEVE the Pies are as well placed as any of these four teams to win a premiership.
On pure talent they can assemble the best 22 players.
They have the star power, depth, and great role players to fill their fans with confidence.
There is possibly two concerns for the Magpie army.
First, they must find a better balance between attack and defence. In their quest last year to become a more aggressive ball using team they certainly became much more exposed defensively.
I'm sure coach Nathan Buckley would have been stressing this during the pre-season. They must get back to becoming one of the most difficult teams to score against in the competition.
Second, sometimes their players can be their own worst enemies.
I applaud Nathan for his team first approach and trying to set high on-field and off-field standards. It is time for all Collingwood players to understand football is a team game and requires you to put the team first.
WEST COAST
THE Eagles have built nicely over the last couple of seasons. With a very talented list and 11 home games it is hard to see them not figuring in the premiership hunt.
Their ground is so big it's the most difficult for rival teams to play. Whilst this is a huge positive in order to reach the finals we know that premierships are won at the MCG.
Like the Swans, they do have some aging veterans who appear to be playing great football.
There is also tremendous upside in the young array of talent that they have assembled over the past six or seven years.
If the veterans continue to hold up and the youngsters improve as Woosha would hope a repeat of 2006 is very much on the cards.
WHO WILL JUMP?
THERE always appears to be a team that jumps up out of nowhere and last year it was the Adelaide Crows. I don't have them in my top four and think they may drop down the ladder.
The loss of Tippet is a big one, and time will tell as to whether they played at their absolutely optimum last season.
That brings us to the next debate as to who may jump up in 2013.
I believe the two most likely teams, despite the Brisbane Lions' outstanding pre-season, are Richmond and Essendon.
The only reason I don't have them in the eight is because I can't make a case for other teams to drop out.
Richmond's biggest problem last season was losing close games and there is no doubt that would have been a huge focus in their off-season.
Role-playing at training and placing players in game like situations would have happened on a regular basis. If they can arrest that worrying trend and win the close games, finals are a genuine consideration.
The Bombers' best 22 looks competitive. Last year they were cruelled by injury and also struggled to match the top teams run.
They looked to have had a much harder pre-season and will start 2013 a lot more confident with their running capacity.
Zaharakis is extremely important to them as he will give them another hard-running midfielder, something they lacked last year.
If they can put the turmoil of the off-season out of their minds, they like Richmond, will genuinely challenge for a spot in the eight.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Captains Favour Pies For 8
Collingwood News
Collingwood enters the 2013 season as a firm favourite to feature in the September action, according to the majority of the AFL's club captains.
In the league's annual poll of the club captains ahead of the home and away season, 16 captains nominated Collingwood as one of the seven clubs aside from their own that are most likely to reach the top eight.
Predictably, last year's premier Sydney was the only side to be unanimously nominated by every other captain to figure in the September action. The Magpies were one of three teams (Hawthorn and West Coast were the others) to be selected by 16 other captains.
In 2012, Collingwood was tipped to reach the finals by each of the 17 other club captains. Interestingly, Carlton was one of the four clubs unanimously selected.
One captain went on to name Collingwood as the club most likely to reach the Grand Final other than his own, as was the case when the captains met last year.
Hawthorn and West Coast appear to be the early season favourites to contest the Grand Final, receiving seven nominations each.
On an individual note, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury have again been tipped to figure prominently in the Brownlow Medal count.
Swan, the 2011 winner, and Pendlebury, who has averaged 20 votes over the past three seasons, were each selected by one captain to take home the league's most coveted individual honour.
New Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is the hot tip amongst the skippers (nominated by six). Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) and Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) each received three nominations.
In 2012, Pendlebury was the hot pre-season favourite to win his first Brownlow Medal with eight of the 18 club captains giving him their tick of approval. Swan, who polled 25 votes last year after earning 34 the previous year, was not chosen by any skipper.
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?
(18 times seven selections. In 2012, the captains correctly nominated Sydney, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, West Coast and Geelong to make the finals, but missed North Melbourne)
Sydney (17)
Collingwood (16)
Hawthorn (16)
West Coast (15)
Geelong (15)
Adelaide (14)
Carlton (11)
Essendon (2)
North Melbourne (2)
Richmond (2)
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
(Captains overwhelmingly endorsed Grand Finalist Hawthorn in 2012, but no captain picked eventual premier Sydney)
Hawthorn (7)
West Coast (7)
Collingwood
Fremantle
Geelong
Sydney
Who do you think will win the 2013 Brownlow Medal?
(No captain correctly nominated Jobe Watson in 2012)
Trent Cotchin (6)
Gary Ablett (3)
Patrick Dangerfield (3)
Josh Kennedy (2)
Sam Mitchell
Scott Pendlebury
Joel Selwood
Dane Swan
Who do you think will win the 2013 Coleman Medal?
(Two captains correctly nominated Jack Riewoldt in 2012)
Lance Franklin (8)
Taylor Walker (4)
Jack Riewoldt (3)
Tom Hawkins (2)
Drew Petrie
Who do you think will win the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star?
(No captain correctly nominated Daniel Talia in 2012)
Jaeger O'Meara (9)
Lachie Whitfield (2)
Ollie Wines (2)
Brandon Hill
Will Hoskin-Elliott
Jono O'Rourke
Jake Stringer
Jack Viney
Collingwood enters the 2013 season as a firm favourite to feature in the September action, according to the majority of the AFL's club captains.
In the league's annual poll of the club captains ahead of the home and away season, 16 captains nominated Collingwood as one of the seven clubs aside from their own that are most likely to reach the top eight.
Predictably, last year's premier Sydney was the only side to be unanimously nominated by every other captain to figure in the September action. The Magpies were one of three teams (Hawthorn and West Coast were the others) to be selected by 16 other captains.
In 2012, Collingwood was tipped to reach the finals by each of the 17 other club captains. Interestingly, Carlton was one of the four clubs unanimously selected.
One captain went on to name Collingwood as the club most likely to reach the Grand Final other than his own, as was the case when the captains met last year.
Hawthorn and West Coast appear to be the early season favourites to contest the Grand Final, receiving seven nominations each.
On an individual note, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury have again been tipped to figure prominently in the Brownlow Medal count.
Swan, the 2011 winner, and Pendlebury, who has averaged 20 votes over the past three seasons, were each selected by one captain to take home the league's most coveted individual honour.
New Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is the hot tip amongst the skippers (nominated by six). Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) and Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) each received three nominations.
In 2012, Pendlebury was the hot pre-season favourite to win his first Brownlow Medal with eight of the 18 club captains giving him their tick of approval. Swan, who polled 25 votes last year after earning 34 the previous year, was not chosen by any skipper.
| The 2013 AFL club captains | |
| Nathan van Berlo (Adelaide) Jed Adcock (Brisbane) Jonathan Brown (Brisbane) Marc Murphy (Carlton) Nick Maxwell (Collingwood) Jobe Watson (Essendon) Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) Joel Selwood (Geelong) Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) Phil Davis (Greater Western Sydney) Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney) |
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) Jack Grimes (Melbourne) Jack Trengove (Melbourne) Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne) Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) Trent Cotchin (Richmond) Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) Kieren Jack (Sydney) Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney) Darren Glass (West Coast) Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) |
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight?
(18 times seven selections. In 2012, the captains correctly nominated Sydney, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle, West Coast and Geelong to make the finals, but missed North Melbourne)
Sydney (17)
Collingwood (16)
Hawthorn (16)
West Coast (15)
Geelong (15)
Adelaide (14)
Carlton (11)
Essendon (2)
North Melbourne (2)
Richmond (2)
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
(Captains overwhelmingly endorsed Grand Finalist Hawthorn in 2012, but no captain picked eventual premier Sydney)
Hawthorn (7)
West Coast (7)
Collingwood
Fremantle
Geelong
Sydney
Who do you think will win the 2013 Brownlow Medal?
(No captain correctly nominated Jobe Watson in 2012)
Trent Cotchin (6)
Gary Ablett (3)
Patrick Dangerfield (3)
Josh Kennedy (2)
Sam Mitchell
Scott Pendlebury
Joel Selwood
Dane Swan
Who do you think will win the 2013 Coleman Medal?
(Two captains correctly nominated Jack Riewoldt in 2012)
Lance Franklin (8)
Taylor Walker (4)
Jack Riewoldt (3)
Tom Hawkins (2)
Drew Petrie
Who do you think will win the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star?
(No captain correctly nominated Daniel Talia in 2012)
Jaeger O'Meara (9)
Lachie Whitfield (2)
Ollie Wines (2)
Brandon Hill
Will Hoskin-Elliott
Jono O'Rourke
Jake Stringer
Jack Viney
2013 Collingwood TV Guide: CANBERRA
Following is the AFL TV Guide for Canberra supporters of the Mighty Magpies. It covers rounds 1 to 10.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Stats: Practice Match Pies v Cats
Collingwood News
Notable
| Geelong | 4.7 | 12.10 | 15.17 | 20.21 | (141) |
| Collingwood | 3.1 | 5.5 | 11.8 | 13.12 | (90) |
Notable
- Dayne Beams (right) keeps churning out the big numbers. He was a key instigator of Collingwood's six-goal third quarter when he won 14 possessions (seven kicks, seven handballs), which was the same amount that he had recorded to half time.
- Three rookies were on show in their final audition for a place on the club's senior list when it is finalised on Tuesday. Sam Dwyer was the busiest of the trio, gathering 15 possessions and taking three marks. Jack Frost held his own in a defensive post (six possessions, three marks) and Caolan Mooney added some spark when he was activated in the second half (five possessions, one tackle).
- Rover Jarryd Blair was one man who was down on his usual output, managing only one kick among 10 possessions. To his credit, he still managed to lay four tackles.
- He might be 31-years-old but Ben Johnson continues to have an impact at half back. He was arguably Collingwood's best player to half time with 16 disposals and ended the day with 24 to go with his six marks.
- Collingwood won the tackle count (46-44) thanks largely to Alan Toovey. The dependable defender laid a team-high five tackles for the day (the next best were Scott Pendlebury, Heath Shaw and Jarryd Blair with four tackles each).
| Name | K | H | D | M | HO | FF | FA | T | G | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17. Dayne Beams | 17 | 15 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 10. Scott Pendlebury | 14 | 16 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 36. Dane Swan | 19 | 11 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 26, Ben Johnson | 17 | 7 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. Jordan Russell | 11 | 13 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 8. Harry O'Brien | 11 | 9 | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9. Marty Clarke | 10 | 6 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 41. Sam Dwyer | 7 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 18. Darren Jolly | 7 | 7 | 14 | 4 | 28 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 39. Heath Shaw | 6 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 22. Steele Sidebottom | 10 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 32. Travis Cloke | 10 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 6. Tyson Goldsack | 7 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 21. Quinten Lynch | 7 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 34. Alan Toovey | 7 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. Brent Macaffer | 6 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 28. Ben Sinclair | 4 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 11. Jarryd Blair | 1 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 16. Nathan Brown | 4 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5. Nick Maxwell | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 19. Jamie Elliott | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 45. Jack Frost | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 5. Caolan Mooney | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 15. Jarrod Witts | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20. Ben Reid | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K-Kicks H-Handballs D-Disposals M-Marks HO-Hitouts FF-Free Kicks For FA-Free Kicks Against T-Tackles SG-Supergoals G-Goals B-Behinds |
||||||||||
Monday, March 18, 2013
2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood
SUPERFOOTY
THERE are plenty of sound reasons to be bullish about Collingwood this season, not least the top-end quality and the depth on its list.
The Magpies went close last season, despite having four of arguably their best 22 sidelined with knee reconstructions, and their key forward seemingly distracted by very public contract negotiations.
The absences meant coach Nathan Buckley got games into promising youngsters such as Jamie Elliott, Jackson Paine, Paul Seedsman, Marley Williams and Caolan Mooney.
Now those hungry youngsters will find themselves jostling for spots in a 22 that can expect to have greater access to the likes of Luke Ball, Andrew Krakouer, Brent Macaffer, Ben Johnson and Alan Didak, all of whom missed slabs of 2011 through injury.
Furthermore, the list is bolstered by the addition of seasoned recruits Clinton Young, Jordan Russell, Quinten Lynch and Ben Hudson.
On every line the Pies have pivotal players at the peak of their powers, all with considerable finals experience given this team has played in the past seven Septembers.
Furthermore Buckley will be better for having a season as senior coach under his belt, and his charges will be more polished at adhering to his game plan and demands.
PREDICTED FINISH: 1st-2nd
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Travis Cloke
So was Cloke's patchy form last year down to the distraction of contract talks, was it an anomaly, or was it a sign his powers are diminishing? His form in 2013 will tell us more. He is a crucial player, not least because he would be arguably the most difficult for the Pies to cover.
Dayne Beams
Had a break-out year in 2012, claiming the Copeland Trophy at age 22. Wins plenty of the footy in traffic but is also damaging when he gets into space and is a proven goalkicker. Can expect more opposition attention this season, but coped well when tagged late last year. Will be intriguing to see if her can continue improving.
Jordan Russell
Only played seven games for Carlton last year, but could proved a handy pick-up for the Magpies. Is a versatile and deceptively quick defender, who can shut down an opponent or run to create, and is capable of taking the kick-ins. He gives Collingwood more options in how they use Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien and Alan Toovey.
Dale Thomas
Is coming off the most challenging season of his career, largely due to niggling injuries. Had ankle surgery in October, hampering his preparation for the season, but if that returns to 100 per cent expect Thomas to again be among the Pies most influential players.
Luke Ball
Will be interesting to see how Ball bounces back from his knee reconstruction, particularly after being eased through the pre-season. His in-and-under nature adds a dimension to Collingwood's clearances.
COLLINGWOOD 2012 INSTANT RECALL
2012 SEASON: 4th
BEST & FAIREST: 1. D. Beams 2. S. Pendlebury 3. D. Swan
GOALS LEADER: Travis Cloke (59)
TOP DISPOSALS: Dayne Beams (741)
THERE are plenty of sound reasons to be bullish about Collingwood this season, not least the top-end quality and the depth on its list.
The Magpies went close last season, despite having four of arguably their best 22 sidelined with knee reconstructions, and their key forward seemingly distracted by very public contract negotiations.
The absences meant coach Nathan Buckley got games into promising youngsters such as Jamie Elliott, Jackson Paine, Paul Seedsman, Marley Williams and Caolan Mooney.
Now those hungry youngsters will find themselves jostling for spots in a 22 that can expect to have greater access to the likes of Luke Ball, Andrew Krakouer, Brent Macaffer, Ben Johnson and Alan Didak, all of whom missed slabs of 2011 through injury.
Furthermore, the list is bolstered by the addition of seasoned recruits Clinton Young, Jordan Russell, Quinten Lynch and Ben Hudson.
On every line the Pies have pivotal players at the peak of their powers, all with considerable finals experience given this team has played in the past seven Septembers.
Furthermore Buckley will be better for having a season as senior coach under his belt, and his charges will be more polished at adhering to his game plan and demands.
PREDICTED FINISH: 1st-2nd
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Travis Cloke
So was Cloke's patchy form last year down to the distraction of contract talks, was it an anomaly, or was it a sign his powers are diminishing? His form in 2013 will tell us more. He is a crucial player, not least because he would be arguably the most difficult for the Pies to cover.
Dayne Beams
Had a break-out year in 2012, claiming the Copeland Trophy at age 22. Wins plenty of the footy in traffic but is also damaging when he gets into space and is a proven goalkicker. Can expect more opposition attention this season, but coped well when tagged late last year. Will be intriguing to see if her can continue improving.
Jordan Russell
Only played seven games for Carlton last year, but could proved a handy pick-up for the Magpies. Is a versatile and deceptively quick defender, who can shut down an opponent or run to create, and is capable of taking the kick-ins. He gives Collingwood more options in how they use Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien and Alan Toovey.
Dale Thomas
Is coming off the most challenging season of his career, largely due to niggling injuries. Had ankle surgery in October, hampering his preparation for the season, but if that returns to 100 per cent expect Thomas to again be among the Pies most influential players.
Luke Ball
Will be interesting to see how Ball bounces back from his knee reconstruction, particularly after being eased through the pre-season. His in-and-under nature adds a dimension to Collingwood's clearances.
COLLINGWOOD 2012 INSTANT RECALL
2012 SEASON: 4th
BEST & FAIREST: 1. D. Beams 2. S. Pendlebury 3. D. Swan
GOALS LEADER: Travis Cloke (59)
TOP DISPOSALS: Dayne Beams (741)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
2013 AFL Pre-season Preview: Collingwood
Football Nation
Team: Collingwood
Coach: Nathan Buckley
Player Losses:
Retired: Chris Tarrant
Delisted: Paul Cribbin, Daniel Farmer, Shae McNamara, Lachlan Smith, Trent Stubbs, Luke Rounds, Cameron Wood, Simon Buckley, Jonathan Ceglar, Kirk Ugle, Peter Yagmoor
Traded: Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)
Free Agency: None
Player Additions:
Traded: Jordan Russell (Carlton)
Free Agency: Quinten Lynch (West Coast Eagles), Clinton Young (Hawthorn)
Category Two Rookies: Ben Richmond
National Draft: Brodie Grundy, Ben Kennedy, Tim Broomhead, Jackson Ramsay, Marley Williams (promoted rookie)
Rookie Draft: Kyle Martin (Frankston), Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne), Adam Oxley (Redland), Jack Frost (Williamstown), Ben Hudson (Brisbane Lions), Peter Yagmoor (Collingwood), Ben Richmond (former AIS basketball player)
Pre-season Draft: None
Last Year’s Finish: 4th (16-6-0)
This year’s prediction: Top 2 would be the aim but realistically a top 4 finish is on the cards.
Three things you need to know:
1. Round 2 - This will be the most looked-forward to Carlton/Collingwood match since the 1981 Grand Final. It’s the master versus the apprentice; Buckley against Malthouse. Expect a 90,000 strong crowd at the MCG.
2. A tougher schedule - The Magpies play North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton, Essendon & Sydney twice, a tough ask as all of these sides will be challenging for a finals spot. Collingwood however only play interstate 5 times and also have 14 matches at the MCG, a big advantage for September.
3. Expect more youngsters to get game time this year - The likes of Seedsman, Elliott, Sinclair, Keeffe and Witts will be regular names on the squad list. One to look out for is Josh Thomas, who VFL-watchers have been big on.
Will make the finals if:
All of their players play to their best. This list is one of the best in the competition and will be challenging come September.
Will be doomed if:
All of Beams, Swan, Pendlebury and Cloke are out injured or suspended for long periods of the season. The recruitment of Lynch, Clinton Young and Russell has added some depth and it would take a Chernobyl-like meltdown to stop this team from making the finals.
Best player(s):
Dayne Beams - He missed the 2011 Grand Final due to a mix of niggling injuries and poor form but came out all guns blazing in 2012 and won the Copeland Trophy. It’s hard to believe that he has only played 83 games.
Dane Swan - The Brownlow Medallist had a mixed 2012. He amassed an unimaginable amount of disposals for the season but the media was on his back all throughout. Was ridiculed for his so-called lack of effectiveness when disposing of the ball and also missed two games due to a club suspension for arriving at training after he had been drinking. Also his interest in football waned towards the end of the season. Will be looking to get back on track in 2013.
Scott Pendlebury - The consummate professional, there is never a match where Pendlebury goes in half-hearted. Missed some matches in the middle of the year after cracking his tibia against Gold Coast and didn’t look quite the same when he came back. Will be back to his best in 2013.
Travis Cloke - Possibly Collingwood’s most vital player, Cloke failed to live up to the standards he set for himself in 2011 but still had a fantastic season, once again leading the competition for contested marks and still kicked 59 goals. The arrival of Quinten Lynch will only help him in 2013.
Player on the rise:
Steele Sidebottom - Started the 2012 season on fire before somewhat fading away. He will follow in the footsteps of fellow 2008 draftee Dayne Beams in having a break-out season. Will be very close to, if not an elite midfielder by the end of this season.
Player on the way down:
Alan Didak - As much as it pains me to say this, Didak won’t lend much to Collingwood this season apart from his leadership skills. Has shown signs he is slowing down and hasn’t been at his best since the 2010 Grand Final Replay. Luckily, a replacement has been found in Jamie Elliott.
General Comment:
Coach Nathan Buckley will be looking to take this highly-talented squad two steps further in 2013 and it is certainly achievable. The mix of experience and youth in the team is exciting and will guarantee Collingwood as a contender for years to come.
The losses of Wellingham and Dawes have been combated by the additions of Lynch, Young and Russell. Newly-drafted ruckman Brodie Grundy also looks ready to play in what should be Darren Jolly’s last season.
Expect to see Collingwood on the second-last weekend of September and maybe even that gloried Saturday a week later.
Team: Collingwood
Coach: Nathan Buckley
Player Losses:
Retired: Chris Tarrant
Delisted: Paul Cribbin, Daniel Farmer, Shae McNamara, Lachlan Smith, Trent Stubbs, Luke Rounds, Cameron Wood, Simon Buckley, Jonathan Ceglar, Kirk Ugle, Peter Yagmoor
Traded: Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Chris Dawes (Melbourne), Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)
Free Agency: None
Player Additions:
Traded: Jordan Russell (Carlton)
Free Agency: Quinten Lynch (West Coast Eagles), Clinton Young (Hawthorn)
Category Two Rookies: Ben Richmond
National Draft: Brodie Grundy, Ben Kennedy, Tim Broomhead, Jackson Ramsay, Marley Williams (promoted rookie)
Rookie Draft: Kyle Martin (Frankston), Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne), Adam Oxley (Redland), Jack Frost (Williamstown), Ben Hudson (Brisbane Lions), Peter Yagmoor (Collingwood), Ben Richmond (former AIS basketball player)
Pre-season Draft: None
Last Year’s Finish: 4th (16-6-0)
This year’s prediction: Top 2 would be the aim but realistically a top 4 finish is on the cards.
Three things you need to know:
1. Round 2 - This will be the most looked-forward to Carlton/Collingwood match since the 1981 Grand Final. It’s the master versus the apprentice; Buckley against Malthouse. Expect a 90,000 strong crowd at the MCG.
2. A tougher schedule - The Magpies play North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton, Essendon & Sydney twice, a tough ask as all of these sides will be challenging for a finals spot. Collingwood however only play interstate 5 times and also have 14 matches at the MCG, a big advantage for September.
3. Expect more youngsters to get game time this year - The likes of Seedsman, Elliott, Sinclair, Keeffe and Witts will be regular names on the squad list. One to look out for is Josh Thomas, who VFL-watchers have been big on.
Will make the finals if:
All of their players play to their best. This list is one of the best in the competition and will be challenging come September.
Will be doomed if:
All of Beams, Swan, Pendlebury and Cloke are out injured or suspended for long periods of the season. The recruitment of Lynch, Clinton Young and Russell has added some depth and it would take a Chernobyl-like meltdown to stop this team from making the finals.
Best player(s):
Dayne Beams - He missed the 2011 Grand Final due to a mix of niggling injuries and poor form but came out all guns blazing in 2012 and won the Copeland Trophy. It’s hard to believe that he has only played 83 games.
Dane Swan - The Brownlow Medallist had a mixed 2012. He amassed an unimaginable amount of disposals for the season but the media was on his back all throughout. Was ridiculed for his so-called lack of effectiveness when disposing of the ball and also missed two games due to a club suspension for arriving at training after he had been drinking. Also his interest in football waned towards the end of the season. Will be looking to get back on track in 2013.
Scott Pendlebury - The consummate professional, there is never a match where Pendlebury goes in half-hearted. Missed some matches in the middle of the year after cracking his tibia against Gold Coast and didn’t look quite the same when he came back. Will be back to his best in 2013.
Travis Cloke - Possibly Collingwood’s most vital player, Cloke failed to live up to the standards he set for himself in 2011 but still had a fantastic season, once again leading the competition for contested marks and still kicked 59 goals. The arrival of Quinten Lynch will only help him in 2013.
Player on the rise:
Steele Sidebottom - Started the 2012 season on fire before somewhat fading away. He will follow in the footsteps of fellow 2008 draftee Dayne Beams in having a break-out season. Will be very close to, if not an elite midfielder by the end of this season.
Player on the way down:
Alan Didak - As much as it pains me to say this, Didak won’t lend much to Collingwood this season apart from his leadership skills. Has shown signs he is slowing down and hasn’t been at his best since the 2010 Grand Final Replay. Luckily, a replacement has been found in Jamie Elliott.
General Comment:
Coach Nathan Buckley will be looking to take this highly-talented squad two steps further in 2013 and it is certainly achievable. The mix of experience and youth in the team is exciting and will guarantee Collingwood as a contender for years to come.
The losses of Wellingham and Dawes have been combated by the additions of Lynch, Young and Russell. Newly-drafted ruckman Brodie Grundy also looks ready to play in what should be Darren Jolly’s last season.
Expect to see Collingwood on the second-last weekend of September and maybe even that gloried Saturday a week later.
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