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| Scott Pendlebury leads a list stacked with young talent, but it's finals or bust for the Pies this year. (AAP Image/Joe Castro) |
The Pies got off to 8-3 starts in 2015 and 2014, before falling away in the second half of the season due to injuries, youth and fatigue. But those excuses are no longer in play for Nathan Buckley’s men.
Collingwood has a list of young talent mixed with experienced leaders, poised to make a serious run at the top eight in 2016.
“I’m sick of hearing age as an excuse for our group,” captain Scott Pendlebury said at the club’s best and fairest night. “We’re a talented young group, yes, but we were in 2010 and we won a flag. So we’ve all got to get better, myself included…
“Everyone sitting out there, you’ve got growth in your game. Let’s turn potential into finals, finals into a flag. We’ve got that in us.”
While a premiership for the Pies in 2016 is unlikely, Pendlebury is right – Collingwood must turn this potential into a finals spot.
CEO Gary Pert has stated previously that Collingwood’s premiership window is 2017-2019, but for that to be achievable, this current squad need finals experience.
The Pies were big players in the free agency and trade period over the off-season, adding prized former Greater Western Sydney Giant Adam Treloar, Melbourne veteran Jeremy Howe and disgruntled Lion James Aish to raise expectations, and set them up for success now – they had to trade away multiple draft picks in order to acquire the talented trio.
Treloar will be a lock for the Round 1 team in 2016, Howe will probably be in the team, while Aish may need to work his through Collingwood’s VFL ranks to break into the team. The Pies are filled with depth in the midfield, and Aish doesn’t necessarily stand out as a player who must get games in order for Collingwood to win; he slots into the middle of the pack and needs to show more commitment than he did at Brisbane to break into Buckley’s team.
As for the rookies Collingwood picked up in the draft – Brayden Sier, Tom Phillips, Rupert Wills and Ben Crocker – they may struggle to see the field during the early stages of 2016. It is possible the rookies will get game time, but when the Pies are at full strength, there is no room for the four youngsters.
Best 22
B: Tom Langdon, Nathan Brown, Jack Frost
HB: Marley Williams, Ben Reid, Alan Toovey
C: Jack Crisp, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jeremy Howe, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan
F: Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams
INT: Travis Varcoe, Levi Greenwood, Tim Broomhead, Brayden Maynard
MVP: Scott Pendlebury
This one isn’t even close – Pendlebury has been a model of consistency throughout his entire career; that didn’t change in 2015 and it won’t in 2016.
Pendlebury captured his fourth club best and fairest award, placing him elite company along with Bob Rose with four Copeland Trophies, trailing only Len Thompson and Nathan Buckley.
Over his last five seasons, Pendlebury has averaged between 28.4 and 29.9 possessions per game – incredible numbers. His silky smooth skills and innate ability to weave in and out of packs is something football fans can only watch in awe, and the Magpie champion is set for another sensational season in 2016.
Future star: Darcy Moore
Son of two-time Brownlow Medalist Peter Moore, Darcy exploded in the second half of 2015. Originally drafted as a forward, Moore showed his versatility by playing in the backline at the beginning of the VFL season, and his aggressiveness in the contests showed he has the skill and ability to play in multiple areas of the field.
A torn hamstring interrupted the 19-year-old’s progression as a defender, and he moved back to the forward line upon his return. In just his second senior game, his five-goal haul against the Western Bulldogs flashed the talent and potential the Pies have on their hands.
Moore oozes excitement and his true passion for the game, along with his impressive skill set, means he will be making Pies fans smile for years to come.
Make or break: Jeremy Howe
Is it unfair to say it is a make-or-break season for a player who has yet to play a game for the club? Maybe, but that is the harsh reality facing Howe, who is hoping a change of scenery can kick-start his career.
Howe was inconsistent over his five-year stint at the Demons, averaging just 14.2 disposals per game in 2015, after averaging 17.1 disposals the season before. While he is known for his high-flying screamers, Howe must find something else in his game to stay in the Magpies squad for the entire season.
Collingwood has plenty of depth and players knocking on the door to take Howe’s spot and if he doesn’t find consistent play, Buckley won’t be hesitant to pull him.
