2016 Season Preview

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Only a few months out from the start of another arduous AFL season, many are expecting Collingwood to be the Western Bulldogs  of 2015 and deliver the Magpie army with a long awaited finals appearance. 
There is only one word to describe the Magpies 2015 campaign and that is: disappointment. After a promising start to the season including wins over North Melbourne, Essendon and the high-flying GWS the Pies fell away spectacularly after the bye.
Collingwood's post bye period was a shocker, with three 'honourable' losses to Fremantle, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide the Pies went on to win only two games during the second half of the season which included a thrashing at the hands of Richmond.
Narrow losses again alluded the young magpies with close results not going their way against Fremantle, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Richmond, Essendon, Western Bulldogs  and the Sydney Swans. 
Buckley believes that poor ball handing skills and inexperience cost the magpies in the many close contests throughout the season and has pointed towards a brighter future for his young list. 

2015 Trade Period and National Draft Review
Ins: Adam Treloar, James Aish, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Sier, Tom Phillips, Rupert Wills, Ben Crocker, Tim Golds and Darrean Wyatt. 
Outs: Brendon Abbott (delisted), Sam Dwyer (delisted), Tony Armstrong (delisted), Michael Manteit (delisted), Josh Thomas (delisted; later picked up in rookie draft), Lachlan Keefe (delisted; later picked up in rookie draft), Paul Seedsman (traded), Ben Kennedy (traded), Nathan Freeman (traded), Clinton Young (retired) and Patrick Karnezis (retired). 
Collingwood were very active during the 2015 trade period landing three highly sought after targets. The additions of Treloar and Aish adds extra depth to the Magpies engine room while Buckley has revealed plans to play Howe across wing and half forward similarly to Jack Gunston's role at Hawthorn. 
Paul Seedsman left for Adelaide after going down the pecking order for a half back position while Ben Kennedy was part of the mega trade which landed Jeremy Howe. Top 10 draft pick Nathan Freeman endured an injury plagued season at Collingwood and will seek a new beginning down at Seaford. 

Best 22 
B: Marley Williams, Nathan Brown, Jack Frost  HB: Tom Langdon, Ben Reid, Brayden Maynard  C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp  HF: Jeremy Howe, Travis Cloke, Jamie Elliot F: Dane Swan, Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey  Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar  Int: Travis Varcoe, Levi Greenwood, Alan Toovey, James Aish  Emergencies: Tim Broomhead, Jesse White, Alex Fasolo 
Unlucky to miss out: Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer, Jarryd Blair 
The pies have a young, exciting list heading into 2016 and many expect Buckley's men to challenge for top four positions. With fantastic midfield depth, a revitalised backline and dangerous forwards Buckley certainly has the squad, now he just needs the execution. 
Experienced players such as Macaffer, Blair, Goldsack and Toovey will most likely be pushed down the pecking order for a younger outfit. Macaffer missed the whole 2015 season through injury and is now the clubs second choice tagger behind Levi Greenwood who showed his tagging ability against Trent Cotchin and Joel Selwood last season. 

Under the Pump
Jesse White 
With the inclusion of Jeremy Howe and the emergence of Darcy Moore this could well be White's last season in black and white. There will be times during the season where his services will be required and hopefully he will be able to step up to the plate. 
James Aish 
The new environment at the Holden Centre could be a blessing for Aish who has successfully moved away from Brisbane where he has promised so much yet not delivered. If he can replicate some of the form he showed during his first season at the lions the Pies could have unearthed a hidden gem. 
Nathan Buckley  
Another man under the pump this season will be the Pies coach Nathan Buckley.He is approaching the last season on his contract and would love nothing better than to impress Eddie and the Collingwood hierarchy with a successful season at the helm.
Should Collingwood assert themselves and make a comprehensive finals bid, Buckley will find himself with a new contract, anything else, and Eddie might personally show him the door.   

Collingwood Supercoach Preview 
Supercoach Stud: Scott Pendlebury ($627,200)
This man should be a top priority on everyone's SuperCoach watchlist. Known as Mr. Dependlebury by his loyal owners and fans, Pendlebury has shown amazing consistency for a number of years averaging over 110 for the last five seasons!
There was speculation over whether Pendlebury would spend more time behind the ball in 2016 due to the increasing depth of the Pie's midfield and an inexperienced defence.
However, with a fit Ben Reid returning to centre half back owners shouldn't worry. Even if he does play behind the ball, he can consistently rack up the points as shown against Geelong late last season.
With question marks surrounding Nat Fyfe's fitness and uncertainty over how Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane will be affected by trade action, Pendlebury is definitely your main man. 
Supercoach Club Newbie: Adam Treloar ($576,400)
The Magpies priced new recruit Adam Treloar will be eager put the doubters to bed and impress at the Holden Centre after four stunning seasons for the Giants. After averaging 83 points in his first season, Treloar has improved out of sight averaging well over 100 for the past two seasons. 
Also, trying to tag the Pies midfield will become a nightmare for opposition clubs with Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Adam Treloar hard to tag at the best of times but together, the Pies midfield could become the best in the competition in 2016. 
Supercoach Mid Pricer: Travis Cloke ($373,900)
With a fit Jamie Elliot, new addition Jeremy Howe and the emergence of Darcy Moore, the pressure should be off Travis Cloke's shoulders in 2016.
With more targets up forward Cloke could flourish and average a healthy 75-80 points including the odd 100. With a juicy price tag of $373,900 he could make or break your season. 
Even if Cloke endures a bad day infront of goal, he tends to venture down the wing and takes plenty of contested marks which will be rewarded handsomely as far as Supercoach points are concerned. 
Supercoach Rookie: Mason Cox ($117,300)
The big American played regularly in the VFL last season including a 5-goal haul. He is priced at the basement price of $117,300 and is a cheap option for your ruck bench.
Even if he doesn't play he could be used for the vice captain loophole, however, if you are looking to select a bench ruckman purely for loophole purposes then there are better options out there as the pies usually play earlier in the round. 
 
Predicted Ladder Position: 6th 
With three of last seasons top 4 losing key players to retirement including reigning premiers Hawthorn, 2016 will provide the likes of Collingwood, Adelaide, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs with a chance to climb well into the top 8. Expect to see a highly competitive season with up to 13 clubs contesting for the top 8 spots. 
 
Final Word
Collingwood's problem over the past two seasons has been execution; they certainly posses the talent and depth to stake a finals claim but need to go that extra step. 
The draw looks remarkably similar to that of last season with the Pies playing against Carlton, Essendon, Brisbane, St Kilda and Melbourne (twice) before the bye. But herewith lies the problem, the Pies face seven of last years finalists after the bye including trips to Adelaide and Sydney. 
If the Pies can have a solid start and keep up consistent performances while avoiding injury, Buckley's men should have a successful season and deliver the Black and White army their first finals appearance since 2013.