Collingwood AFLW Players And Draw

Collingwood News

Collingwood Football Club will mark it's 125^th year with the introduction of a women's AFL team in the inaugural national women's league. The club is one of eight to be granted a team in the new league kicking off in 2017.
The Collingwood women's team will utilise the club's $25 million state-of-the art facilities at The Glasshouse as well as Olympic Park Oval, all in the heart of Melbourne's sporting precinct.
In a league-first, the club appointed highly respected female footballer Meg Hutchins to the full-time role of Women's Football Operations Manager to oversee the growth of women's football at both Collingwood and the grassroots level.

2017 Draw

Friday February 3	Collingwood v Carlton	Olympic Park Oval	7.40pm EDT	7
Saturday February 11	Collingwood v Melbourne	Olympic Park Oval	7.35pm EDT	7
Saturday February 18	Brisbane Lions v Collingwood	South Pine Sports Complex	3.35pm EST	Fox Sports
Saturday February 25	Western Bulldogs v Collingwood	VU Whitten Oval	7.10pm EDT	7
Saturday March 4	Fremantle v Collingwood	Rushton Park	10.35am WST	Fox Sports
Sunday March 12	Collingwood v GWS Giants	Olympic Park Oval	11.05am EDT	Fox Sports
Sunday March 19	Collingwood v Adelaide Crows	Olympic Park Oval	1.35pm EDT	Fox Sports

2017 Pre-Season Fixture Revealed

Collingwood News - Sam Gastin 

PRE-SEASON DRAW MATCH 1 Thursday, 16 February Collingwood v Essendon Etihad Stadium 19:40 EDT MATCH 2 Saturday, 4 March Fremantle v Collingwood Rushton Park, Mandurah 13:40 WST MATCH 3 Saturday, 11 March Richmond v Collingwood Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe 13:10 EDT

Collingwood will mix metro with regional as it prepares for the 2017 home and away season.
Today's announcement of the JLT Community Series (formerly the NAB Challenge) fixture sees the Magpies beginning their campaign against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, before travelling to Mandurah and Moe to face Fremantle and Richmond respectively.
While much of the focus in the Etihad Stadium clash may surround the returns of Essendon's previously suspended players, it should also be the first chance Collingwood supporters will get to watch some of the 12 new faces wearing Black and White in 2017.
One of these, forward Chris Mayne, may have his sights set two weeks in advance. If available to be selected, the 28-year-old will clash with the Fremantle side he played 172 games for before crossing to Collingwood.
The Saturday afternoon fixture will be the first time Collingwood has played in Mandurah, a town in which a young Brian Taylor begun his football career in the 1970s.
From country Western Australia, the Magpies will then travel 130km east of Melbourne for a clash against Richmond at the Ted Summerton Reserve.
The home of the Moe Lions underwent a $3.15 million redevelopment in 2009, before another upgrade at the end of 2015.
The ground has never hosted an AFL pre-season fixture, however St Kilda made it a temporary home for a community camp last year.
All pre-season games will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.

Full Pre-Season Draw

2016 AFL Draft

AFL - Ben Guthrie

SUMMARY AFL - Callum Twomey Selections before academy and father/son bidding: 28, 44, 51, 61 Selections after bidding: 30, 35, 50, 57 Who they picked: Sam McLarty, Callum Brown, Kayle Kirby, Josh Daicos Pre-draft priority: A key defender, followed by a key forward – preferably one with ruck capabilities. Callum Twomey's verdict: The Pies were desperate to get their first pick before a bid came for Brown, and that happened (albeit only by five picks). With that first pick they filled the hole left by departed defenders Jack Frost and Nathan Brown by selecting McLarty, who runs hard at the ball and can take a good contested grab. Brown is a footballer's footballer who just finds the ball consistently, while Kirby is a bit of a punt but has some natural talent as a medium forward. Collingwood didn't need to match a bid for Daicos, so was able to grab the father-son forward with its last pick. The Pies were able to achieve two key things at the draft: keep the famous names of their club in black and white, and also add a much-needed tall defender.

COLLINGWOOD has finally got its hands on two sons of guns, selecting Callum Brown and Josh Daicos in the NAB AFL Draft.
North Melbourne placed a bid on Brown, the son of three-time club champion Gavin, with pick No.35 but the Magpies quickly matched and he officially joined the club his famous father once captained.
Brown, an under-18 All Australian after averaging 19 disposals across the national championships, is an accumulator of the footy in the midfield.
At 177cm, the Eastern Ranges product regularly finds the footy and makes smart choices with his disposal.
Magpies list manager Derek Hine followed up his selection of Brown by claiming Josh Daicos, the son of five-time club leading goal kicker Peter, with pick No.57.
"It's very important to note that we rate them in the draft, we rate them where they sit in the scheme of things and they probably both fell where the market dictated they'd be," Hine told AFL.com.au.
"They both bring different things to the table and now the hard work begins."
A late bloomer, Josh Daicos failed to make the Oakleigh Chargers' list as a bottom-age player in 2015.
But he bounced back to make the list in 2016, displaying snippets of his talent throughout the TAC Cup season.
The 177cm small forward played three games for Vic Metro in the mid-year championships but finished the season with a rush and gathered 18 touches in the NAB AFL All Stars game.
Both Brown and Daicos played junior football with and against each other, while their families remain close, given Gavin Brown and Peter Daicos were Collingwood premiership teammates in 1990.
Having now been drafted by the Magpies, it is over to Callum Brown and Josh Daicos to follow in the footsteps of their famous fathers and create their own history at the club.
The Magpies took key defender Sam McLarty with their first pick in the draft (No.30 overall) and added exciting forward Kayle Kirby – a Richmond Next Generation academy player – with pick No.50.

Derek Hine, Magpies list manager:
Selection No.30 – Sam McLarty
Derek Hine says: "We had a couple of boys pegged there as key defender types. Sam hurt his shoulder halfway through the year, but he's shown, at 197cm, he can play forward, back and he's extremely athletic and a high-end competitor."
Selection No.35 – Callum Brown
Derek Hine says: "I was hoping one (a bid) wasn't going to come, but I was expecting one. I thought North might have been the problem, but it didn't really matter in the end. He's a consistent performer and we knew what we were getting when we took him."
Selection No.50 – Kayle Kirby
Derek Hine says: "Kayle is coming from a little bit behind but he brings that high-end speed and physicality to our front half. It will be interesting to see how he goes. We're in the futures market so he'll be OK I'm sure." 
Selection No.57 – Josh Daicos
Derek Hine says: "Josh is a clever small forward with plenty of tricks around goal. It was great to finally select him and Callum (Brown) together. He was coming from a little bit behind, having elected to play school football, but that's all part of the futures market again."

---

Sam McLarty arrives at Collingwood with pick No. 30.

Selection No. 30 – Sam McLarty

Position: Tall utility
Height: 193cm
Weight: 93kg
Born: 11/5/1998
Recruited from: Oakleigh U18

Profile
Last year saw McLarty come onto the scene as an athletic key defender for the Oakleigh Chargers as they stormed towards the TAC Cup premiership. This season the key position prospect has spent more time in an attacking role, and he has enjoyed some strong displays near goal. He has some natural spring, attacks the ball well in the air and can have sticky hands in marking contests. McLarty had only limited exposure at the national championships as he was coming back from injury and was underdone, but it's hard to find quality talls this year.

---

Callum Brown was an All-Australian at under 18 level in 2016.

Selection No. 35 – Callum Brown

Position: Midfielder/ forward
Height: 177cm
Weight: 72.2kg
Born: 27/4/1998
Recruited from: Eastern U18

Profile
Brown is the son of Collingwood 1990 premiership star and former captain Gavin. His improvement has been steady but significant across 2016. Brown played for the Eastern Ranges last year and did some exciting things, including a three-goal haul in the Preliminary Final of the TAC Cup. He's taken his talents into the midfield this season, and become a regular ball-winner. Brown isn't overly quick but moves well and rarely gets caught. He averaged 18 disposals in four games for Vic Metro at the national championships and was named an All Australian.

Plays like
It's not a bad time to be a short midfielder, and Brown is a little like Lachie Neale in the way he plays and his strengths.

What they say
"He's as clean below his knees as I've seen – he's very much Caleb Daniel like as well in terms of how he doesn't waste his possessions. He's probably a 15 to 30 metre player in terms of his kicking at this stage, but as he continues to develop that power in his legs, which he's got – his vertical is very good, his speed is getting better, he is just going to keep growing into his body – and the one thing he is, he is just super competitive, super determined, very driven and just a beautiful, natural footballer," – Len Villani (Eastern Rangers talent manager), Inside Football, November 2016.

"Such has been his TAC Cup form this year, Eastern Rangers talent manager Len Villani said the 18-year-old had roared in his estimations from being a potential rookie or late draft pick 12 months ago to a late first-round or early second-round pick. Villani said the best of Brown, who has based his game on Port Adelaide's Robbie Gray and Fremantle's Lachie Neale, was yet to come." – Toby Prime, Manningham Leader, 22 August 2016.

"Callum and Josh Daicos spent a week with us during the pre-season and it great to have them down. They are fantastic young men. They really thrived in the environment here. Just having them around was first class and both them threw themselves into it flat out. Nothing was too hard. Even when they fell short, they dusted themselves off," – Nathan Buckley, 5 April 2016.

"Callum was running around at Marcellin last year but was really small and then he did some special things and has grown up sideways and a little vertically. He has always been great with his hands and with his vision and composure and now he can win his own footy and doesn't get brushed aside," – Anton Grabic (Vic Metro coach), Herald Sun, 15 June 2016.

"He's a brilliant midfielder. He continues to improve, whether it's his fitness or his size and he wins a lot of the ball. He's always in and under the packs and he competes all day for four quarters," – Josh Daicos (contemporary and son of Peter Daicos), Herald Sun, 7 October 2016.

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Collingwood has chosen Kayle Kirby at pick No. 50.

Selection No. 50 – Kayle Kirby

Position: Small forward
Height: 181cm
Weight: 89kg
Born: 31/8/1998
Recruited from: Bendigo U18

What they say
"Kayle is an excitement machine… Just a ripper. A Byron Pickett-clone with Cyril Rioli-type tricks. He's got some real x-factor, deadly accurate around goals, dangerous whenever he gets the ball, is physically intimidating and I think his speed is right up there with the best. Just got a big bag of tricks and he can used all of them in the one day. Small forward-type who could pinch-hit in the middle but he's only been playing football for three or four years so the upside is enormous. Fitness is the area of concern but if he was to get that right I think he could have an influence in senior football next year," – Bendigo Pioneers coach Brett Henderson, Inside Football, November 2016.

---

Selection No. 57 – Josh Daicos

Josh Daicos represented Vic Metro during the 2016 National Championships.

Position: Small forward
Height: 178cm
Weight: 69kg
Born: 26/11/1998
Recruited from: Oakleigh U18

Profile
The son of Collingwood champion Peter Daicos, Josh's talent is untapped but he could be one of the best small forwards in the pool. Daicos didn't take long to show his talents as a smart and crafty small forward, bursting onto the scene in the TAC Cup practice matches early in the year. After being held back from elite under 18 programs until this season, Daicos had relatively little exposure but has come on with every appearance. A broken hand threatened to interrupt his championships, but he returned to play three games for Vic Metro and show his class and creativity around goal.

What they say
"Obviously he has had just one year within our program. I reckon he peaked around championships time and we were probably a little disappointed with the end of his season. He has serious skill, a very good footy brain, and we would have liked to have had him in the program a bit longer. He doesn't look that quick out on the ground but his GPS data stacks up quite well. He lacks a yard of speed but his footy nous alleviates that. The sidestep he has learned from Dad, and there are a lot of similarities with Peter – great goal sense and the footy brain with the way he sees the game" – Craig Notman (Oakleigh Chargers talent manager), Inside Football, November 2016.

"While he has played predominantly as a small forward this season - he bases his game on Port Adelaide livewire forward Chad Wingard - Daicos is determined to improve his fitness base in order to spend more time in the midfield. One of the most unique aspects to Daicos' game is his goal kicking technique. He barely generates any momentum during his run-up, opting to slowly step towards his target. But then as he kicks the ball on his preferred right boot, his leg swings dramatically across the left side of his body, rather than following the straight trajectory of the footy." – Ben Waterworth, Fox Footy, November 2016.

"Callum and Josh Daicos spent a week with us during the pre-season and it great to have them down. They are fantastic young men. They really thrived in the environment here. Just having them around was first class and both them threw themselves into it flat out. Nothing was too hard. Even when they fell short, they dusted themselves off," – Nathan Buckley, 5 April 2016.

" Josh has got class and a nice lateral first step but the real highlight is his beautiful kicking skills. He entered the TAC Cup this year after playing at Camberwell Grammar and early in the year he showed he had some seriously special qualities" – Anton Grabic (Vic Metro coach), Herald Sun, 15 June 2016.

"He's a very skilful player, he gets a lot of the ball, he works hard and always makes good decisions," – Callum Brown (contemporary and son of Gavin Brown), Herald Sun, 7 October 2016.

Collingwood 2017 Draw and List Changes

Herald Sun - Jay Clark

Nathan Buckley is entering the final year of his contract. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD faces a challenging start to a season Nathan Buckley has labelled make or break.
In the 2017 AFL fixture release, the Pies will tackle the two Grand Finalists Western Bulldogs (Round 1) and Sydney Swans (Round 3) and losing preliminary finalists Geelong (Round 6) and Greater Western Sydney (Round 8).
Collingwood's early-season run also includes blockbusters against Richmond on a Thursday night (Round 2) and Essendon (Round 5) in the traditional Anzac Day match on Tuesday, April 25.
The Pies finished 12th and slotted into the last spot of the middle-six grouping, meaning the Pies received a tougher draw than Richmond, which finished in 13th, in the bottom six.Collingwood will play one bottom-six side twice in 2017, which is Essendon.
In a softer run, the Tigers will play three bottom-six sides twice, Carlton, Fremantle and Brisbane Lions.
Out-of-contract Buckley has openly labelled next season a defining year for his tenure at Collingwood, saying he knows he is "on the hook" in 2017 if the Pies don't perform and arrest their run of three-straight years out of the finals.

List changes
Brent Macaffer (retired) Alan Toovey (retired) Dane Swan (retired) Matthew Goodyear (delisted) Tim Golds (delisted) Darrean Wyatt (delisted)	Corey Gault (retired) Nathan Brown (free agent - St Kilda) Jarrod Witts (traded - Gold Coast) Travis Cloke (traded - Western Bulldogs) Jack Frost (traded - Brisbane) Marley Williams (traded - North Melbourne)

Collingwood 2017 Draw

Round 1 Friday, March 24 Collingwood v Western Bulldogs MCG Home 7.50pm TV: 7mate Round 2 Thursday, March 30 Richmond v Collingwood MCG Away 7.20pm TV: 7mate Round 3 Friday, April 7 Sydney Swans v Collingwood SCG Away 7.50pm TV: 7mate Round 4 Sunday, April 16 Collingwood v St Kilda Etihad Stadium Home 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 5 Tuesday, April 25 Essendon v Collingwood MCG Away 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 6 Sunday, April 30 Geelong Cats v Collingwood MCG Away 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 7 Saturday, May 6 Collingwood v Carlton MCG Home 2.10pm TV: Foxtel Round 8 Saturday, May 13 GWS GIANTS v Collingwood Spotless Stadium Away 4.35pm TV: Foxtel Round 9 Saturday, May 20 Collingwood v Hawthorn MCG Home 7.25pm TV: 7mate Round 10 Sunday, May 28 Collingwood v Brisbane Lions MCG Home 1.10pm TV: Foxtel Round 11 Sunday, June 4 Fremantle v Collingwood Domain Stadium Away 2.40pm TV: Foxtel

Round 12 Monday, June 12 Melbourne v Collingwood MCG Away 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 13 BYE Round 14 Saturday, June 24 Collingwood v Port Adelaide MCG Home 1.45pm TV: Foxtel Round 15 Sunday, July 2 Hawthorn v Collingwood MCG Away 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 16 Saturday, July 8 Collingwood v Essendon MCG Home 2.10pm TV: Foxtel Round 17 Saturday, July 15 Gold Coast SUNS v Collingwood Metricon Stadium Away 4.35pm TV: Foxtel Round 18 Sunday, July 23 Collingwood v West Coast Eagles Etihad Stadium Home 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 19 Sunday, July 30 Collingwood v Adelaide Crows MCG Home 3.20pm TV: 7mate Round 20 Saturday, August 5 North Melbourne v Collingwood Etihad Stadium Away 7.25pm TV: 7mate Round 21 Sunday, August 13 Port Adelaide v Collingwood Adelaide Oval Away 4.10pm TV: Foxtel Round 22 Saturday, August 19 Collingwood v Geelong Cats MCG Home 2.10pm TV: Foxtel Round 23 Date TBC Collingwood v Melbourne MCG Home Time TBC TV: TBC

Captain Copeland: Pendlebury Wins Again

Collingwood News - Sarah Allen

Scott Pendlebury excelled once again in 2016, leading the Magpies in all 22 games of the home and away season.

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has cemented a decade of dominance by winning his fourth consecutive E.W. Copeland Trophy, edging out fellow midfielder Adam Treloar at Crown Palladium this evening.
The trophy is Pendlebury's fifth in six years, placing his name alongside Hall of Famer Len Thompson as a five-time winner.
The pair are bettered only by Nathan Buckley who won the club's best and fairest six times during his illustrious career.
The night was dominated by the midfield group; Pendlebury polled 164 votes, followed by Treloar on 145 and Steele Sidebottom with 115. Ruckman Brodie Grundy was rewarded for his imposing second half of the year finishing fourth (100), while Jeremy Howe's move to the backline paid dividends as he rounded out the top five (81).
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is voted on by senior coach Buckley and his assistant coaches after each regular season match.
The ever-reliable Pendlebury scored double figure votes in ten games, his highest tally (15) coming in the side's convincing round eight win against Brisbane, the round 15 victory over Carlton and the nail biting one point loss to Hawthorn in the final match of the season.
The skipper averaged 33 disposals across those three matches and 29 across the year.
Alex Fasolo and Treloar were the only players to poll a higher tally during any given round, securing 16 votes in round two and round 23 respectively.
It caps off a stellar first year as a Magpie for Treloar who proved a ball magnet in the midfield, picking up a career-high average of 29 disposals and six tackles a match.
The club's Gavin Brown Award took on a new meaning this year, voted each week by the players. Polling mirrored the Copeland Trophy, with Pendlebury the runaway winner on 348 votes ahead of Treloar on 284.
Elevated rookie Josh Smith was the surprise result of the night, polling 78 votes to finish 7th, less than 12 months after working in childcare to support his university studies in Queensland. Fittingly, Smith was awarded the Harry Collier Trophy as the club's best first year player.
Retiree Brent Macaffer was well recognised on the night, winning the highly regarded Darren Millane Memorial Trophy as best clubman and the Joseph Wren Trophy as the best VFL player.
Fellow retirees Dane Swan and Alan Toovey were also acknowledged alongside Macaffer in a presentation by President Eddie McGuire highlighting their outstanding contribution to the club.
Fasolo took home the Gordon Coventry Award as the club's leading goal kicker despite playing just 12 games due to an unlucky run of injuries. The small forward averaged over two goals a match, kicking 25 for the year.
In an emotional presentation, long-time club boot studder Neil Price was recognised with the Phonse Kyne Award for his tireless hours of work at Collingwood over the past 20 years. From voluntarily selling raffle tickets to his role in the property department, 'Neilo' has been a much-loved figure across the entire club and received a rousing cheer from the audience of almost 1500.

2016 E.W. Copeland Trophy Top Ten

1. Scott Pendlebury, 164 votes (E.W. Copeland Trophy)*
2. Adam Treloar, 145 (R.T. Rush Trophy)
3. Steele Sidebottom, 115 (J.J. Joyce Trophy)
4. Brodie Grundy, 100 (J.F. McHale Trophy)
5. Jeremy Howe, 81 (Jack Regan Trophy)
6. Taylor Adams, 79
7. Josh Smith, 78
8. Levi Greenwood, 73
9. Jack Crisp, 66
10. Jarryd Blair, 60

*Pendlebury has won the E.W. Copeland Trophy in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Other Awards

• Darren Millane Memorial Trophy (Best Clubman) 
  • Brent Macaffer
    
• Harry Collier Trophy (Best First Year Player) 
  • Josh Smith
• Gavin Brown Award (Players' Player) 
  • Scott Pendlebury
    
• Gordon Coventry Award (Leading Goal Kicker) 
  • Alex Fasolo (25 goals)
    
• Joseph Wren Trophy (VFL Best & Fairest) 
  • Brent Macaffer
• Phonse Kyne Award (Services to the Club) 
• Neil Price

Link

• A history of the E.W. Copeland Trophy

2016 Grand Final

2016 Finals Week 4

Magpies Unveil 2017 Logo

Triple M

Collingwood commemorating 125 years of club history

(Image: Collingwood FC)

Collingwood have unveiled their season 2017 logo which will commemorate 125 years of the club's history.
The Magpies joined the Victorian Football Association in 1892 – the same year they were founded - before joining seven other breakaway clubs in establishing the Victorian Football League (now known as the Australian Football League).
Collingwood have won 15 premierships to be the third-most successful VFL/AFL club of all time behind Essendon (16) and Carlton (16).
Club president and host of Triple M's Hot Breakfast Eddie McGuire explained the symbolism of the commemorative logo.
"This important marker of our great history features two magpies, including our heritage bird looking back on the past 125 years and our more modern bird facing forwards and representing our exciting future," McGuire said.
"Of course black and white features heavily – these colours are obviously very important to our club as they represent our attitude and what we stand for.
"The gold laurel has been integrated from the main logo and was drawn from the engraving on our 15 premiership cups, another proud symbol of our club.
"2017 is an exciting time for Collingwood with the introduction of the AFL women's and netball teams. We now have four teams, including the VFL, so every kid has the opportunity to dream of playing in the black-and-white stripes."

Collingwood News

Celebrating 125 years
A lot can happen in 125 years.
So it makes sense that the Collingwood Football Club will be celebrating its 125th birthday in style in season 2017.
As the club marks its special anniversary, there's much to celebrate and reflect on, while looking forward to what the next 125 years hold.
The 125 year commemorative emblem
For the next 12 months, you will notice a new emblem on Collingwood apparel and other club items.
The commemorative emblem represents:

• The two magpies represent our male and female teams standing side by side as we embark on this new era
• The two magpies represent the old and the new, including our heritage bird looking back on the past 125 years, and our more modern bird facing forwards and representing our exciting future
• Black and White features heavily – these colours are obviously very important to the club as they represent our attitude, and us
• Integration of the gold laurel which is represented in Collingwood's main logo and was drawn from the engraving on our 15 premiership cups. The 125 element also uses the same font and lettering as that of the premiership cups

Key dates

• 25 September 2016 (1891)
  • 125 years since the Victorian Football League (VFA) finally agreed to admit the Collingwood Football Club into the competition after two years of lobbying.
    
• 12 February 1892
  • A meeting at Collingwood Town Hall to gauge community interest in the new venture. The Town Hall was overflowing, with riotous scenes and famous speeches.
• 26 February 1892
  • The first meeting of the Collingwood Football Club (to elect office bearers) was held at the Collingwood Town Hall.
• 16 April 1892
  • The club played its first practice match and elected its first captain at the Yarra Hotel before the match. The team played against Clifton (John Wren's team) at Darling Gardens.
• 7 May 1892
  
  • The first official senior game for the Collingwood Football Club (against the Carlton Football Club) was played at Victoria Park. A huge crowd watched as the Magpies lost, kicking 2.11 (23) to the Blues 3.13 (31).
• 28 May 1892
  • Collingwood registered its first win, defeating Williamstown.

The dawn of a new era
Season 2017 is an exciting time for the club with the introduction of its women's football and netball teams, so the club now has four teams that offer every child the opportunity to dream of playing in the famous Black and White stripes.
The emblem helps mark a point in the club's development where it has officially become more inclusive and diverse with the launch of the two women's teams.

Links

• Celebrating our 125th anniversary
• Animation: 125th commemorative emblem

2016 Finals Week 3

2016 Finals Week 2

Almanac Season Review: Cam Hooke’s Collingwood 2016 Season Review

The Footy Almanac

Last year our season collapsed under the pressure of injuries.  Sitting Top Four after 12 Rounds at 8 and 3, we slipped to 12th with 10 and 12 by the end of the season.  We thought it could only get better as our team repaired itself and was reconstituted during the off-season.  The promise of the future was there.
We picked up Treloar (at the death knell) and Aish and Howe, who started to get more and more of our attention as the season progressed.  And the 2017 pre-season was okay.  We beat Geelong at Kardinia Park; and North in Wagga, with a very close final check win over the Dogs at Etihad.  Things were looking promising.
Then we reversed it.  The first game we were slaughtered by Sydney and lost Swanny, Brownie, Williams and Witts to injuries; Swannie’s leading eventually to his retirement.  Jamie Elliott followed shortly after and Fas for significant periods, on and off.

The Season by Halves:
We had a pretty ‘gentle’ first half of the season – 4 games against Top 8 Teams; 8 games against bottom teams.  Even given this we had 4 Wins and 8 Losses for the first half of the season.  The Losses included significant thumpings by Sydney, St Kilda, the Eagles, Port and Melbourne; indeed it wasn’t so much the Losses, but the margins that were concerning.  Our Wins were against Richmond (almost a death-knell accident), Essendon and Brisbane – neither particularly noteworthy.  But we showed occasional glimpses of the capacity to perform destroying Geelong in a First Quarter performance that was quite extraordinary.  But we Lost to Carlton.
After the Bye (Round 13) we started to perform, even given the competition against Top Eight /Bottom teams of 6 and 4 respectively – by the end we had 5 and 5.  We won against GWS at their home, and WCE in Melbourne, and pushed the Bulldogs and Hawthorn to the death.  The narrow Losses against quality sides, even with players missing were significant and promise much for the future.  In every game there were periods when we performed and the team was dominant, but only for periods.  And we beat Carlton.

The good, the bad and the ugly:

• The List.  We used 39 players during the season, including 6 debutants.  The numbers are even worse when applied to the Back 6 for the first half of the season – 20 players used in the Backs in the first 9 Rounds.  Comments:

• Treloar and Adams have been massive additions to Pendles and Sidebottom.  Sidebottom and Adams have both successfully performed ‘tagging roles’ on occasion.  The challenge to control of the Midfield comes when including the ruck in this group.  The Mids’ Clearances are being degraded by the need for them to counter the failure of our ruck.  Grundy, quite correctly, is being regularly selected amongst the Best in the team.  I would suggest that this is principally because of his work around the ground; not his ruck work.  He positions himself well, is able to move away from defenders and has a fantastic tackle.  With the exception of other non-traditional rucks (eg. Natanui) Witts is a better fit as ruck.  And Cox and White are not capable, and Moore is not best used, in that role.  I still consider there is room to include both Witts and Grundy in the team.

• The subject of much media discussion during the season, plus a bit of vitriol from fellow-supporters, I might add.  The subject of discussion has been consistently the measure of Trav’s goals scored at the end of the game; which I think is both wrong and unfair.  My criticism has consistently been the delivery to him – low and hard to a leading Forward is preferable to ‘up and under’ kicks.  While Moore is a real talent, we should not rely on ‘speckies’ to achieve ‘Marks inside 50’.  The return from injury of Elliott and Fasolo will aid the Forward Line.

• Back 6. There were way too many ‘easy goals’ from unmarked opponents or an unattended Goal Square.  The apparent adoption of a zone defence as the basis of our defence pretty obviously didn’t work.  Early in the season we led the competition in points scored against us from Centre Bounce clearance.  This was impacted on by Clearance failure at the Centre and our lack of defensive pressure; both.  Our Back 6, plus an extra, need to be a distinct team, with both the willingness and capability to provide a ‘second-man-up’ option.  Additionally, there have been mismatches amongst the selections – speed and mobility are frequently key.  Some manning changes are necessary; as is some stability.

• My Best. My Best over the whole season are, in order:
  • Treloar;
  • Pendles;
  • Grundy;
  • Sidebottom; and
  • A notable addition is Varcoe who has been fantastic as an example of commitment to the younger players.

Other Aspects

• There is absolutely no question that Pendles is one of the most talented footballers we’ve ever seen.  But I’m not sure he is the right man for the Collingwood Captain role.  I thought Maxy was simply outstanding in that role.  I remember one game when he was out-injured he spent the game on the sidelines screaming at the Backs, encouraging them and managing the Back 6.

• The Game Plan. We want to control the Centre (and other stoppages), clearing effectively and driving forward into the Inside 50, preferably to end with a Mark inside 50 and a score.  Out of the Backline, we want rapid ball movement through the ‘corridor’ and via the Wings to connect with the Centre clearances.  application?

• This is separately identified because it has been such a variable thing this year.  This is a fundamental responsibility of the coach(es) and the team leadership to motivate the team.  During the season we lost games from winning positions and have been subject to ‘drubbings’ when a respectable Loss was achievable.  This is my fundamental concern regarding Bucks as Senior Coach and Pendles as Captain.

• The Coach(es). I’ve been largely pretty defensive about Buck’s performance over the last four years, however the numbers are starting to add up.  There has been public discussion on his replacement, particularly following his early extension (15 March 2016) – his tenure now runs out at the end of next year.  He has publicly stated that if the Pies do not make the 2017 Finals he will not be there.  My (very external) assessment is that changes are necessary and are being discussed.  Some of the Assistants may go and Brenton Sanderson is being talked about as a new arrival.

The Future:
“Pies for Premiers in 2017“ (there you have it first from me). I have faith.  Our List is excellent and the Game Plan is sound when it’s implemented.  Perhaps that is the key issue that we haven’t really consistently ‘fixed’ this year – “how to implement the Game Plan”.

Fixes?

• I love the Disposal Efficiency statistic.  As a measure of an individual’s effectiveness this separates the good and the great.  We need to pursue a 100% success rate in the delivery of the ball.  This requires the awareness, through the Game Plan, of where the recipient will be and, therefore where the ball needs to be passed.  It also requires great personal foot and hand skills.  “Up and under” kicks are not good enough.

• Selections / List / Tactics. Farewell and thanks to those players who have already announced their retirement or movement.  I think there is scope for some changes, particularly in the Back 6.  There are some inevitable changes into the Forwards as players become available.  And consider playing Witts and Grundy in the same team.

• Catch-up Footy. Even in the second half of the season we allowed oppositions to run away early leaving us massive catch-up targets.  See next point.

• We must be a pressure side.  This must reflect the team’s motivation.  I am reminded of the old adage: “There are no bad troops; just bad leaders”.

• Greater innovation is essential to get, and stay, ahead of the competition.  These can apply to selections, specific roles and general play.  I suggest the ‘run with/tagging’ roles, the extra man into the Backline and ‘lateral shift’ of the ball are all examples well adopted now.  I would suggest the ‘power HF Line’ is worth considering.

2017 looks pretty good for the Pies, but then so did 2016.

• We can expect Scharenberg to take his place in the team (at last) and Elliott and Fas to crumb the key Forwards; Langdon, Williams and Ramsay to support Reid and Howe in the Back 6; even add Frosty in the ‘extra-man up’ role. And the bunch of (relative) newbies promise much – Marsh, Crocker, Phillips, Smith, Wills, Maynard and Darcy, of course.

Season Review: Collingwood

AFL - Ben Collins

In a nutshell
An enviable recruiting campaign and an exciting NAB Challenge raised expectations sky-high, but a series of injuries and several unforeseen flops quickly forced us to reassess the Pies as a mediocre, developing team.

What we said in the pre-season 
Overall, the AFL.com.au experts correctly predicted the Pies would miss the finals for the third year running, although some expected them to be the bolter and finish in the top six. A few of us tipped Adam Treloar to be the recruit of the year, and he would have been if not for an amazing season from Patrick Dangerfield. Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury received a couple of nominations for Brownlow medallist, but he might struggle to get 15 votes.

What worked
Unfortunately for the Pies, the positives were more individualised rather than from team-orientated. In addition to the consistent efforts of experienced duo Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, ex-Giant Adam Treloar proved his worth with a sensational first-up season, Brodie Grundy assumed the No.1 ruck mantle and lifted his game to new levels, Darcy Moore took another step towards seemingly inevitable superstar status, Ben Reid arrested his soft-tissue ailments to be a fine contributor and Jeremy Howe was terrific in defence.

What failed
Injuries weren't the overarching reason for the Pies' below-par performance, but they were a contributing factor, particularly forward of centre given they didn't have their two best small forwards, Jamie Elliott and Dane Swan, Travis Varcoe missed five early games and Alex Fasolo barely played in the second half of the season. Form and injury issues led to lack of continuity at both ends of the ground, with premiership pair Travis Cloke and Nathan Brown both dropped at various stages. Team defence and skill execution were also recurring issues.

Overall rating
D. Injury is a mitigating factor but the Pies simply weren't good enough and hard enough for long enough.

The coach
In March, the Pies awarded Nathan Buckley a one-year contract extension that will expire at the end of next season, and it wasn't long before that decision was derided, as the Magpies weren't able to live up to the massive expectations. Buckley has now been at the helm for five seasons and is yet to receive a favourable run with personnel, but will enter the last year of his contract under enormous pressure to break the finals drought.

Nathan Buckley will be under huge pressure in 2017, the final year of his contract. Picture: AFL Photos

The leaders 
A glaring weakness for the Pies for much of the season. Skipper Scott Pendlebury copped busted ribs in round one and battled on manfully but at times had to carry much of the responsibility himself without his fellow leaders Taylor Adams, Nathan Brown, Brent Macaffer and even Steele Sidebottom, who was suspended early. It also didn't help that unofficial leaders like Travis Cloke struggled.

MVP
Adam Treloar: The gut-running midfielder achieved the near-impossible by living up to the enormous hype that followed his move from the Giants. Will comfortably win the Pies' best and fairest after averaging 30.6 possessions (12 contested) and 5.4 clearances.

Surprise packet
Mason Cox: The 'American Pie' made his debut on Anzac Day and held his spot for 10 successive games, finishing with 17 goals, including seven multiple-goal efforts. Not even Pies list manager Derek Hine expected that.

Get excited
James Aish: Some were too hasty in writing off the former Lion after a sluggish start. The form he displayed in his impressive finish to the season, when he showcased his smarts and marking ability, should be his starting point next season.

Disappointment
Travis Cloke: For a big-name spearhead of his experience, being dropped three times and kicking just 17 goals in 13 games was some fall from grace. But really, Cloke hasn't played consistently for three years.

Best win
Round 16: Collingwood 19.11 (125) def Greater Western Sydney 14.9 (93) at Spotless Stadium
The Pies were still a mathematical chance to make the finals but appeared in danger of a hiding when they trailed the Giants by four goals at quarter-time. But with Cloke finding rare touch, the plucky visitors piled on 16 of the next 23 goals.

Low point
Collingwood isn't yet good enough to simply replace a soldier with a soldier as Hawthorn does, so when superstar veteran Dane Swan suffered a career-ending leg injury in his first contest of the season, it spelled dread for his young team. The Pies lost a leader and a goalkicking ball-winner.

The big questions
Where does Travis Cloke's future lie?
What will the Pies do to either improve their kicking efficiency or limit the damage such turnovers cause?
Will coach Nathan Buckley keep his job beyond 2017?

Season in a song
The Only Way Is Up – Yazz

What we say:
Young talent could click overnight.

Who's done?
Retirements:
 Dane Swan, Alan Toovey, Brent Macaffer
Delistings:
 TBC
Unsigned free agents:
 Jarryd Blair (unrestricted), Nathan Brown (restricted)

How should they approach trade and draft period?
If Cloke is on the move, the Pies will likely collect a second or third-round pick or a player, and could target key-position players at either end in the draft.

Early call for 2017
The pass mark for the Pies is simply to make the finals, as it has been for the past three seasons. A manageable injury list would be a good start.

Collingwood Magpies Players Of The Year And Season Review

The Roar - Jonty Smith

Collingwood have the biggest margin between best and worst in the AFL.
It seems ridiculous that the same team can lose to a Richmond side in limbo, coming off their lowest-ever score in 55 years, then beat a rampaging West Coast.
While there have been injuries, their best 22 – as proven last Sunday against Hawthorn – can almost beat the premiers for the past 1100 days.
Win or lose, some players always rise to the occasion, and for the Pies they are Adam Treloar, skipper Scott Pendlebury, and the ever-reliable Steele Sidebottom.

Adam Treloar
The trade of the year, Treloar has taken his game to a new level. It is hard to believe he hasn't been playing with this group all his life – particularly the midfield – and he has only improved as the season has progressed.
He is the team's most proficient for disposals (673 at 31 per game), metres gained (8.67 kilometres at 394 per game), clearances (118 at 5.4 per game), tackles (139 at 6.3), and fantasy points (averaging 111). His season should be topped off with a club best and fairest, and a 40-man All Australian selection.
A determined, motivating and popular character around the club, the scary part is that Treloar has a couple of years before his peak.

Scott Pendlebury
Led by example, starting the season on the half backline with broken ribs, having slightly less influence, before recovering and playing the majority of the season in the midfield.
Ended the season with the team's most contested possessions, averaging 12.6, and score involvements, with 8.1.
The time and space he seems to create in the midfield is impressive and proved his doubters wrong after a leaner 2015.

Steele Sidebottom
Despite an early suspension, Sidebottom was the one player who looked like he put in 100 per cent whether down by 50 or up by 30.
He is developing a great midfield combination with the two mentioned above and Jack Crisp, yet his incredible fitness makes him a versatile option.
While he doesn't lead Collingwood in any of the important stats, he has had comfortably his best season, improving his inside 50s per game (averaging 3.6), tackles (averaging 4.5) and score involvements (averaging 6.6).
His addition to the leadership group seems to have only improved his game this year, and he will likely slot into third place for the club's best and fairest.

Nathan Buckley
Nathan Buckley has said that Collingwood must make the finals in 2017 for him to remain coach, and he's right – with the list they have, there is simply too much talent and class for them not to be appearing in September.
Buckley and the crew must find a way to get the Pies playing at the level they played against Hawthorn in their last game of the season, every week.

Season In Review: Collingwood Magpies, Nathan Buckley Reach Critical Juncture

The Age - Jon Pierik

After three years of missing the finals, 2017 shapes as a defining season for Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and the controversial coaching succession plan.

Finishing position 2016: 12th (9 wins, 13 losses, 95.6%)

Finishing position 2015: 12th (10 wins, 12 losses, 106.3%)

Players used: 39

Debutants: Tom Phillips (round 12, v Melbourne), Matthew Goodyear (round 3, v St Kilda), Rupert Wills (round 19, v West Coast Eagles), Ben Crocker (round 7, v Carlton), Josh Smith (round 5, v Essendon), Mason Cox (round 5, v Essendon)

Retiring/delisted: Dane Swan's 258-game career effectively ended when he crashed to the turf and suffered three broken bones in his foot, including a Lisfranc fracture, against the Swans in round one. While the "will-he, won't-he" talk of a return bubbled through the season, Swan finally confirmed what most thought – his time was up. His premiership teammates Brent Macaffer, with four senior games this year, and Alan Toovey, with eight, also retired. Macaffer had struggled after a knee reconstruction, while Toovey had been unable to enjoy a regular defensive berth. Travis Cloke, after a year of frustration, has sought a trade to the Western Bulldogs, while Nathan Brown has been linked with North Melbourne. Jarrod Witts is also assessing his options.

Outlook for 2017: The general consensus is the Pies will be a legitimate finals contender next season – but the same was said this year. Indeed, the Pies were even backed to make the top four, so impressive did their list appear. But concerns about the game plan, which was reshaped mid-season, Cloke's struggles, the absence of Jamie Elliott and Swan, and a defensive unit initially hit by injury meant the Pies limped through the opening couple of months, to the point president Eddie McGuire was even asked whether he would hesitate in sacking Nathan Buckley should that be in the best interests of the club. There will be change among the assistant coaches, with Ben Hart already gone, while Graeme Allan has – to the surprise of no one – been shoehorned into the role of football-department chief, replacing Neil Balme. That reportedly has been a source of angst among some at the club. The Pies were able to develop their youngsters this year, and recruit Adam Treloar was a stand-out, so the season was not a total waste. Provided this development continues, they should challenge for a top-eight berth next year.

Make no mistake: These are worrying times for the Pies. That McGuire had to be talked out of quitting by his two sons after the round-seven loss to Carlton highlighted the pressure the club was under. Buckley has embraced that pressure, to the point he has admitted publicly he won't survive 2017 if the Pies fail to make the finals. Scott Pendlebury (who played with broken ribs in the opening month), Steele Sidebottom and Treloar are elite in the midfield but there are questions up forward. Cloke is gone but who will be Darcy Moore's fellow marking tall? The Pies do not have a first-round draft selection this year but will add to their stocks through the father-son selections of club greats Gavin Brown and Peter Daicos. Overall, it shapes as a legacy, even defining year for McGuire and Buckley, and the club's controversial call to replace Mick Malthouse after the 2011 campaign. A failure to make the finals with a team now far removed from the Malthouse era will mean, certainly in the eyes of some, that the handover was a failure.

What the coach says:
"There might be things outside of our control. We need things to fall into place as a program for us. We need a little bit of luck, we need to be harder, we need to be more consistent - these are all things that we know are going to be the difference between us maximising our potential. It's not a talent thing. I'm on the hook flat out, we're all on the hook flat out for it and it's really important for us to make this work." - Nathan Buckley

Collingwood’s 2016 Report Card: Magpies Show Promise In Second Half Of Season

Herald Sun - Kate Salemme | Jay Clark

WE thought Collingwood might take a big step forward, but we had to wait until the second half to see any progress.
Things began horribly for the Pies. They had a shocking injury run, a defensive system that wasn’t working and a problematic spearhead. The absence of Jamie Elliott and Dane Swan was particularly costly and the heat came for Nathan Buckley.
But to the coach’s credit, he tweaked things over the mid-season bye, and the youthful Pies began to dominate games in the midfield. Scott Pendlebury’s broken ribs healed and Adam Treloar will challenge the skipper for the Copeland Trophy, despite missing almost the entire preseason with groin issues.
In addition, Collingwood’s defensive game plan switched from a zone to more one-on-one and the Pies knocked off Geelong, Greater Western Sydney (away) and ran Hawthorn to within one point to re-enter the finals mix, albeit briefly.
Brodie Grundy became one of the game’s top ruckman in his third season. Importantly, there was greater effort across the board after the bye. There is upside at the Holden Centre. Matthew Scharenberg will play the rebounding role out of defence next season and Elliott will provide a foil for Darcy Moore in attack.

2016 SNAPSHOT
WINS: 9
LOSSES: 13
DRAWS: 0
LADDER POSITION: 12 th
PERCENTAGE: 95.6%
LAST YEAR: 12th (finished with one less win)

WHAT WENT RIGHT
The Pies paid a high price for former GWS midfielder Adam Treloar but he’s lived up to expectation. One of only three Magpies to play every game this season, Treloar was explosive and at times dominant in the midfield, ranked sixth in the league for average disposals and tackles, while ranked No.1 at the Pies ahead of Scott Pendlebury in both categories as well as clearances, centre clearances and inside 50s. And let’s not forget the season of defender Ben Reid. While the Pies were ravaged by injury, Reid finally got his body right and was a key cog in the defensive setup and reminded the footy world why he was All-Australian in 2011.

WHAT WENT WRONG
Injuries galore. From Matt Scharenberg tearing his ACL two weeks into pre-seasaon, to Jamie Elliott’s pre-season back injury then setbacks ruling him out for the season, and Dane Swan suffering a season and career-ending injury in the opening five minutes of the Round 1 game, not much has gone right for the Pies. First choice players Darcy Moore, Alex Fasolo and Taylor Adams played only half the season and who could have predicted the season Travis Cloke had? Lack of key personnel – the Pies used 39 players and only three played every game - and a defensive setup that didn’t work early meant Nathan Buckley’s team was always playing catch-up and in the end was never in the mix to play finals.

HIGHLIGHT AND LOWLIGHT
It’s a tie for best win between the Round 9 victory over Geelong at the MCG and the Round 16 win over GWS in Sydney. In both those games Buckley’s team played with the flair and confidence we’d seen from them in the pre-season but failed to produce consistently in the home-and- away rounds. Those wins give the Magpie faithful hope and a glimpse into the future of what this young team, when fit can produce. However, there are plenty of candidates for worst loss and you can’t go past the 15-point loss to Carlton in Round 7. That was a horror day for the Pies who would have pencilled that in as a win during pre-season but the Pies didn’t put the Blues away early and from there Brendon Bolton’s team had a sniff and never looked back. The loss had president Eddie McGuire questioning whether he should continue at the helm.

DRAFT/TRADE REVIEW
Draft picks: Brayden Sier (32), Tom Phillips (58), Rupert Wills (63), Ben Crocker (65), Lachie Keefe (rookie), Josh Smith (rookie), Josh Thomas (rookie), Tim Golds (rookie), Darrean Wyatt (rookie)
Trade/free agency aquisitions: Jeremy Howe (Melbourne), Adam Treloar (GWS), James Aish (Brisbane)
Adam Treloar is likely to pick up the best and fairest award in his first year so that’s a big tick, while Jeremy Howe was great after being switched into defence. It will be interesting to see how Nathan Buckley’s uses the former Demon in 2017. James Aish started the season slowly but finished well and showed why he’s going to be a very good player for the club in the future. His ball use, marking and ability to read the play stand out. Early indications are that they drafted well, too with Ben Crocker, Tom Phillips, Rupert Wills and Josh Smith all showing they can be competent players at senior level.

THE COACH
No person in the AFL is scrutinised more than Nathan Buckley. But there is the very real prospect the spotlight will sharpen even more as he enters a make-or-break 2017. Buckley deserves some luck with injuries, but after missing September three years in a row, there will be no excuses for not making finals next year.

YOU SAID IT
“I’m on the hook flat out, we’re all on the hook flat out for it and it’s really important for us to make this work.”
- Nathan Buckley

BEST AND FAIREST
It will definitely be a battle in two as Treloar and Pendlebury battle it out for the title. Our money is on Treloar, simply because the Pies skipper had battled manfully through injury for most of the season, including stints at halfback. It will be a huge nod for the gun 23-year-old who has had an immediate impact at his new club. Expect Ben Reid, Steele Sidebottom and Brodie Grundy to feature heavily, while Taylor Adams should also poll well from his 14 games before hamstring and ankle injuries, as will Alex Fasolo.
B&F Count: Copeland Trophy, October 7 at Crown Palladium

SUPERCOACH STUD
Can’t go past Pendlebury. Finished the season with a team-high average of 118.7 points per game – ranked behind only Patrick Dangerfield across the competition. He delivered in spades, recording 18 scores of 100 point or more and his lowest score of the season was 82 against Richmond in Round 20. Just delivers.

SUPERCOACH DUD
After a strong pre-season campaign many expected Jordan De Goey to have a breakout SuperCoach season but many lost patience with the young Magpie early on. Ended with three triple figure scores but a season average of 75.7 was disappointing. Had a strong finish to the season though, averaging 94.3 points in his last three games. Maybe next year.

THE LIST
ELITE: Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom
BIG IMPROVERS: Darcy Moore, Alex Fasolo, James Aish, Ben Sinclair, Mason Cox
GONE: Dane Swan (retired), Alan Toovey (retired), Brent Macaffer (retired)
GOING, GOING: Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair, Matthew Goodyear, Corey Gault
TRADE BAIT: Travis Cloke, Jarrod Witts, Tim Broomhead, Adam Oxley

ON THE BLOCK
We know Travis Cloke is probably on his way to the Western Bulldogs, and Jarrod Witts is expected to seek more opportunity, potentially at Brisbane. Free agent Nathan Brown is weighing up a move to North Melbourne and Marley Williams remains unsigned.

WHAT THEY NEED
Key position players are the priority at Collingwood both forward and back. With Travis Cloke declaring his intentions to find a new home, the Pies need more than Mason Cox as back up to Darcy Moore and Jesse White. And where is Nathan Brown at? Unsigned and a free agent, the Pies must keep the full back otherwise that puts it in a precarious position. Ben Reid had a good season but will his body hold up? And Jack Frost is out of contract, while Lachlan Keeffe is coming back from a two-year drugs ban. Trouble looming in defensive stocks, too. The Pies have been linked to contracted Giant Will Hoskin-Elliott, while Adam Tomlinson is also on the radar to fill one key position need. Jaeger O’Meara seems a pipe dream with not much in the way of picks to satisfy Gold Coast. Should have a nibble at Swan Sam Reid and Eagles Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown.

PREMIERSHIP CLOCK: 7pm
On paper, there is enough young talent at Collingwood to drive the club on an upward curve over the next five years. Another prime marking target is crucial for the list build.

STATS

REPORT CARD: magpies 2016
Create your own infographics

(Source: Champion Data)

2016 Finals Week 1

2016: LADDER ROUND 23

Pos Position   C Change from last round    P Played    W Won   L Lost    D Drawn    F Points for
A Points against    % Percentage    Form Past five results    Next Next opponent    Pts Points

Round 23: Hawthorn 112 Collingwood 111

THE FACTS

HAWTHORN         2.4.16   7.7.49   13.8.86   17.10.112
COLLINGWOOD   4.2.26   9.6.60   11.8.74     17.9.111

GOALS - Collingwood: Crocker 3, De Goey 2, White 2, Greenwood 2, Blair 2, Treloar 2, Cloke 2, Goldsack, Grundy

BEST - Collingwood: Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Treloar, Grundy, Crocker, Phillips, Howe

INJURIES - Collingwood: Aish (hamstring)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 52,968 at the MCG

TALKING POINTS

1. Hawthorn secures top-four spot After 23 rounds, the top four is finally set. By beating Collingwood by a single point, Hawthorn will launch its bid for a fourth-straight flag from third spot on the ladder and with the all-important double chance. Their first assignment will be a mouthwatering qualifying final against Geelong with the winner earning a week off and a home preliminary final. Adelaide's loss to West Coast has proven to be costly, with the Crows forced into a do-or-die elimination final against North Melbourne. It also means Greater Western Sydney's finals debut will be against their big brother in the Sydney Swans in the other qualifying final. West Coast and the Bulldogs will be the remaining elimination final. 2. A match for the ages The Pies were brave, but fell just short. The Hawks were classy when it counted and calm and collected in the final minutes. The usual suspects stood up – Cyril Rioli was a constant threat throughout the match, Shaun Burgoyne struck an imposing figure across the ground, and Luke Hodge directed his troops like the seasoned general he is. The Hawks were three goals up at the 17-minute mark of the fourth quarter, and looked assured of a top-four spot, but the Pies were determined to go out with a bang. Goals to Ben Crocker, Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair and Adam Treloar (a ripping snap shot from a stoppage) gave Collingwood a six-point lead, before Jack Fitzpatrick, earlier denied a free kick for an unrealistic attempt at a mark, kicked a goal from just inside the centre square to level the scores. A hurried snap from Paul Puopolo with a minute left proved to be the winner. Collingwood fans should go home happy after this match, as the future of the club stepped up to take on the reigning premiers.

3. Hawthorn's ruck dilemma There were questions coming into this match over the make-up of Hawthorn's ruck division, after Jonathon Ceglar tore his ACL against West Coast the week before. The news that Ben McEvoy was a late withdrawal with the unusual combination of back soreness and the birth of his first child meant the Hawks played the untested combination of Jack Fitzpatrick and Marc Pittonet. It was Fitzpatrick's first game for the Hawks after crossing from Melbourne in the off-season, and he started strongly, taking several marks in the forward 50 and kicking two goals. Pittonet was playing just his third match, and matched Brodie Grundy well in hit-outs, but struggled to compete with him in the air and around the ground. 4. One more time with feeling? If this is the last we've seen of Travis Cloke in Collingwood colours, it was a classic Cloke game. There was a bit of everything – excellent marking, poor set-shot kicking from directly in front, hard running and tackling, and a goal from 30 metres to get the Pies within six points at the end of the last quarter. He also had a shot from the boundary line that he set up to the square, where Blair marked and goaled to draw Collingwood level. Cloke has now played 246 games for the Magpies, and on the strength of this match, has not lost the appetite for the contest. 5. Young Pies leading the way Collingwood fans should go home happy after this match, as the future of the club stepped up to take on the reigning premiers. Jordan De Goey continued his impressive form up forward, kicking two goals in the first quarter, including a very nice set shot from outside 50. Ben Crocker showed good courage throughout, and also finished with three goals. Tom Phillips looked assured and ran hard, and while Brayden Maynard had a few hairy moments, his effort could not be questioned. It would be an understatement to say Adam Treloar (36 disposals) responded well after a statless first quarter, and Jack Crisp, Rupert Wills and Jonathon Marsh were also lively.

THE MEDIA

AFL COLLINGWOOD cannot slip any lower than it has over the past three seasons and the club is confident it can springboard back up the ladder quickly, coach Nathan Buckley has declared. The Magpies missed the finals for the third straight season, finishing in 12th position, but the their second half of the season – where they won five of the final 10 games – provides a platform to launch next year's finals assault from. Collingwood's ability to play its brand of football in a narrow one-point loss to Hawthorn to close out of the season at the MCG on Sunday, underlines Buckley's optimism for the future. However, Buckley did concede recently that he would probably lose his job if the team failed to make finals in 2017. "The reality is that we've missed finals in '14, '15, '16 and we've bottomed out but we're on our way back up," Buckley said. "We're not going back any further and we've been able to regenerate and get some really high-end talent and stock picks in different places as well. "We've got some really good opportunities going forward if we make the most of what we've got." Adding to Buckley's buoyant outlook is the fact the Magpies will get Matt Scharenberg, Jamie Elliott, Alex Fasolo, Taylor Adams and Jackson Ramsay back into the side after they all missed significant chunks of the year through injury. Buckley revealed he would travel to the United States over the off-season to observe and gain knowledge from the practices of some of the best college football (gridiron) teams. "I've organised to get across to the States. We need to continually find points of difference in the way we do things," Buckley said. "Not all of them will be obvious but they come out in your win-loss and we'll go to the ends of the earth to make sure we're providing the best possible program for our players. "Part of that is looking at best practice around the world." There is bound to be plenty of change to the club's list management and coaching team, with reports Graeme 'Gubby' Allan is set be the club's new head of football replacing Neil Balme. That leaves the future of Balme, who may take on a director of coaching role, up in the air as rival clubs circle his services. It has also been mooted former Adelaide coach and AFL Academy mentor Brenton Sanderson will join forces with close friend Buckley and sign on as an assistant coach. Magpies assistants Ben Hart and Steve Grace are no certainties to retain their positions at the club. "I can't confirm it (the Allan appointment) but we believe we're doing a fair bit right and that will come to fruition in time," Buckley said. "There's strengths in our program now that aren't immediately evident externally, but we know they are important to us, so we won't be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. "But we need to keep looking for areas of improvement. Even if you had 100 per cent personnel, in coaches, players and administrators, role over into the next season there would still be change. "That's what those decisions are going to be based on."                                  COLLINGWOOD NEWS Hawthorn will launch its assault on a fourth-straight premiership with the all-important double chance after overcoming a gallant Collingwood by one point in a thrilling contest at the MCG on Sunday. The Hawks' nail-biting win locks up third spot on the ladder and sets up a mouthwatering qualifying final against Geelong. Playing his first game for the Hawks, and his first game of the season, back-up ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick turned match-winner with a sensational running goal from inside the centre square to tie up the game at 111-apiece with just two minutes remaining. Paul Puopolo then mustered up all his energy to force through the match-defining behind with just 33 seconds left in the contest, as the Hawks hung on to the 17.10 (112) to 17.9 (111) victory that secures their place in the top four. Hawthorn was made to dig desperately deep for its victory, with Collingwood leading at quarter-time and half-time as a frustrated Alastair Clarkson made his displeasure known in the coach's box. But the Hawks lifted immeasurably in the second half, with their third-term charge led by small forwards Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust, who combined to boot six goals between them. Although he had just 11 disposals, Rioli kicked three goals and set up three more to have a major influence on the contest. With Jack Gunston (one goal) well held by Jeremy Howe, who was outstanding in defence, Breust bobbed up to boot three majors of his own as the Hawks' small forwards helped to turn the game. The Magpies were stoic and fought desperately to override Hawthorn's advantage in a stunning final term, booting four straight goals to incredibly take the lead before Fitzpatrick intervened. Sam Mitchell was typically industrious through the midfield with a team-high 31 disposals, while Shaun Burgoyne (19 touches and seven tackles) again stood up when it mattered with a clutch goal in the final term. Statless in the first quarter, Adam Treloar finished with a rush to rack up a game-high 36 disposals for the Magpies. Steele Sidebottom (33 touches) ran himself into the ground and Scott Pendlebury's poise in traffic almost was enough to lift his side over the line. In what might be his final game for the Magpies, spearhead Travis Cloke finished with two goals and hauled in eight marks as he tried hard all day. But as they so often do, the Hawks found a way to win and it was the unlikeliest of heroes – a delisted free agent picked up from Melbourne in the off-season – who made it happen. "The reality is that we've missed finals in '14, '15, '16 and we've bottomed out but we're on our way back up." Nathan Buckley

SUPERFOOTY NATHAN Buckley has drawn the curtain on Collingwood's season by declaring the only way is up. The Pies' campaign ended on the wrong end of one of the game's of the season in a thrilling one-point loss to Hawthorn - settling them in 12th spot with a 9-13 record. "When it comes to Collingwood the expectations always exceed the capabilities. There's never a time when it's the other way around; we're aware of that and we understand that and sometimes it blows back when you don't perform," Buckley said. "The reality is we've missed finals in '14, '15 '16, but we've bottomed out and we're on our way back up. I don't know where we'll finish, 12th or 13th, and we've bottomed out here. We're not going back any further. "We've been able to re-generate and get some really high-end talent and stock pick in different places and we've got some really good opportunities going forward if we make the most of what we've got." The Pies answered every challenge against the finals-bound Hawks and even fought back from 18 points down late in the game to snatch the lead with two minutes left. "The only thing we didn't do today was sing the song at the end," Buckley said. "The effort was really strong, the resilience to fight back late in that last quarter to get a goal up and then the overriding disappointment not to close it out ... they're the little things that make all the difference. "We didn't get to sing the song, but if we bring effort like that we'll be doing that plenty in the next four or five years with a very similar group. "We played against a side with 18 premiership players so that shows what we're capable of when we bring that type of effort, which we've seen for a large part of the last half of the year. We're growing and developing and improving." Buckley wouldn't comment on when list changes would be announced or on reports Graeme Allan was poised to take over as head of football. Buckley will travel overseas in the off-season for a fact-finding mission focusing on US college teams.                                  REAL FOOTY This was a microcosm of Hawthorn's season. Rarely convincing, inconsistent, not without challenges and done with a support cast of kids and journeymen. But as has been the case so often recently, they made Harry Houdini look like an amateur. Only just though. Trailing Collingwood at the MCG by a goal at the 27-minute mark of the final term on Sunday, the Hawks looked destined for an elimination final date with the Western Bulldogs. But playing his first game for the club, lumbering former Melbourne fringe-dweller Jack Fitzpatrick took advantage of an unguarded goalsquare to spectacularly level the scores from 70m. Paul Puopolo snuck through a behind, and after probably the most entertaining game of the season, Hawthorn had secured the double chance and a qualifying final date with arch-rivals Geelong, winning by the barest of margins. It was their sixth single-digit win of the year. The Hawks did themselves no favours early. Adam Treloar - perhaps the Pies' best player this year - somehow went without a disposal in the first quarter. Yet such was the breadth of contributors in black and white, Collingwood still led at the first break, and were still 16 points to the good of the Hawks at the 11-minute mark of the second term. Treloar had 14 possessions in the second term, as he and Scott Pendlebury led a multi-pronged Magpies midfield which could yet make Nathan Buckley look like a genius. Youngsters Jordan de Goey and Ben Crocker both showed their class - sinking two first half majors apiece. In contrast inexperienced Hawks James Sicily and Marc Pittonet - brought in late for Ben McEvoy - had been quiet. While Hawks Cyril Rioli, Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo and a steely-eyed Luke Hodge worked to bridge the gap, the Pies repeatedly had all the answers, and led by 11 points at half-time. Poor kicking in defence once again proved a disappointment for the Pies. Both Nathan Brown and Marley Williams turned the ball over from their back 50, and watched as it sailed straight back for Hawthorn goals. For the umpeenth time Hawthorn's old guard stood up when needed. Sam Mitchell used his superhuman vision to find Rioli in space, setting up the Norm Smith medallist's third. Shaun Burgoyne and Jordan Lewis added their name to the goalkickers list, and by the last change Hawthorn were 12 points ahead and surging. Collingwood resisted strongly in the face of continued Hawthorn pressure. Despite being down to 21 men after a hamstring injury to James Aish - the Magpies managed to start the final term stronger than the Hawks. Levi Greenwood dribbled through an early goal, before Jesse White defied a heavily bandaged right knee to goal and level the scores. But Sicily drifted across a pack to claim a breathtaking mark, regaining the lead for his side. The Pies went forward again, but a desperate Brendan Whitecross dive prevented a leveller. Hawthorn charged away on counter-attack. Billy Hartung was waiting, taking off through the middle of the ground before bringing the Hawks fans to their feet with a clinical finish. Burgoyne added another and finally it looked like enough. But in a year full of momentum shifts there were twists still to come. Crocker took advantage of an ugly Travis Cloke thump to mark and goal, before Cloke himself closed the margin to six. The veteran forward then marked the ball 55m out on the boundary line, sending it to the goalsquare where the umpire missed a blatant unrealistic marking attempt from Greenwood. Amid the confusion Jarryd Blair marked, goaling to once more bring the Pies level. At the 26-minute mark, Treloar capped off a dazzling final three quarters to snap straight and put Collingwood ahead. The Hawks' attempt at history looked to have been delivered a fatal blow. But once again, they managed to prove they're a team like no other.