COLLINGWOOD’S
rebuild under Nathan Buckley has been well documented, but 2016 looms
as the most crucial test for the Pies under the Buckley regime.
The Magpies fly into the new season as one of the most puzzling teams to predict for experts, fans and commentators.Mike Sheahan has tipped the Pies to finish 2nd on the ladder in 2016. Yes, you read that right — 2nd. Others however, see the Pies finishing anywhere from 4th-12th come September.
That doesn’t make things any clearer now does it? If only the predictions about the Pies could be as black and white as their uniforms.
However, perhaps this uncertainty adds to the mystery and excitement that 2016 is shaping up to be. Before we kick off round 1, here are five things Collingwood needs to do in 2016 to avoid a third consecutive year of no finals action.
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| It’s a crunch season for Magpies coach Nathan Buckley. Source: Getty Images |
He may only be 20 years old, but Collingwood’s forward line hopes lie in the hands of Darcy Moore. And those are a good pair of hands by the way.
Like Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan; after one season, Darcy Moore has become the most exciting key position player in Collingwood’s forward half.
It may be fast tracking their development a little too soon, but it’s time for Corey Gault and Darcy Moore to be played deep in the forward 50, and for Travis Cloke and Jesse White to get well out of their way.
Moore and Gault are young, athletic; can both take a contested grab, and are showing very early signs of being reliable in front of goal. Admittedly, the breaks do need to be pumped. Between them, there are only 13 games of AFL experience. But if the NAB Challenge was anything to go by, these young men can compete at this level.
Travis Cloke is at his best when he’s on the lead, taking a contested mark anywhere between the arcs.
Newsflash: Keep Cloke out of the forward 50 ... for now.
This doesn’t have to be the case for the whole season, but at least for the first few games so he can build up confidence in his marking, his running patterns and of course, his goal kicking.
Cloke shouldn’t be OUT of the team all together, but perhaps Jesse White should be. Corey Gault has been upgraded to the senior list and Jeremy Howe is knocking on White’s door, ready to take his position in the forward half.
Along with the array of small-medium offensive threats they have in the forward line, Collingwood’s goalkicking prowess doesn’t look too bad on paper. However, lets see how this new, fresh-faced forward crew works together in the heat of the battle.
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| Scott Pendlebury exudes class, composure and leadership. Source: News Corp Australia |
Collingwood’s midfield runs deep, and it’s time for them to use their depth effectively and to their advantage. Without mentioning Pendlebury or Swan in the conversation, the Pies have one of the most balanced midfields in the competition.
Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar, James Aish and Travis Varcoe provide class, skill and speed. Jack Crisp and Brent Macaffer are the defensive midfielders; the taggers. And Taylor Adams, Levi Greenwood and Jordan De Goey are the contested, in-and-out, hard-hitting midfielders that give the Pies midfield a tough edge.
Enter Scott Pendlebury — a top 5 player in the AFL. He exudes class, composure and leadership. There’s no doubting Pendlebury is in the prime of his career — but as the Pies fight for a top eight spot this year, it’s time to utilize Pendlebury in a different and more strategic manner.
Age journalist, Michael Gleeson hit the nail on the head last week when he called for Scott Pendlebury to become Collingwood’s Luke Hodge. As evident in the Pies’ NAB Challenge game against the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood struggle to skilfully move the ball from defence to attack. This is where Pendlebury will be most effective. He needs to become the Magpies’ attacking weapon off halfback. Along with Varcoe, the ball movement would excel from defence to attack under the leadership and control of Scott Pendlebury.
Forget about Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliot as your offensive threat Collingwood — Dane Swan should be your x-factor marquee man for 2016. Dane Swan’s career has entered its twilight years and Swan has even gone as far as saying 2016 may be his last. In his 257 games, Swan has always been a goalkicking midfielder, notching 211 career goals. Last year, with more time spent in the forward half, Swan kicked 21. The Pies are looking for different avenues to goals this year, and Swan could provide another spark in the forward half. He may be in his thirties, but Dane Swan can run all day and out muscle you in a 1-on-1 deep in the forward line.
Pendlebury and Swan have been one of the best midfield duos of the last five years. There’s no suggestion here to completely remove them from the midfield rotations. However, as much as Collingwood fans salivate at the thought of Swan and Pendlebury running the midfield group, perhaps it’s time to step aside and use them in the most effective, not attractive way, to ensure the Pies march deep into September.
Pies 'in good stead'
3) Don’t ‘swing’ Ben Reid
This one is short and simple. Do not use Ben Reid as your ‘swingman’. If Collingwood are desperate for a swingman, throw Jesse White or Jeremy Howe into the mix, but leave Ben Reid out of those conversations.
26-year-old Reid has had an injury crippled run in the last few years. Since Nick Maxwell retired and Ben Reid’s injuries have hit, the Pies’ once formidable defensive unit has looked outclassed, outmuscled and outplayed under Nathan Buckley.
So if Ben Reid is able to get his latest injury scare under control (and hopefully stay injury free), it’s time for Ben Reid to once again cement his place as one of Collingwood’s key defensive pillars, alongside Nathan Brown.
Collingwood’s forward line has options. Ben Reid does not need to be one of them.
4) Avoid a second half collapse of the season ... for the third time in a row
8-3.
A win-loss column only familiar to those who don the black and white during the footy season.
8-3 is the painful reminder of Collingwood’s past two seasons. Two consecutive seasons that collapsed due to succumbing to pressure, injuries and the inability to win close games.
Collingwood’s fixture is favourable. They play 14 games at the MCG, three at Etihad and only travel interstate five times. However, in the first eight rounds, they travel three times, including their season opener at ANZ stadium against Sydney.
No team wins a premiership by making excuses. And Collingwood is no exception. The first half of the season will be another test. How will they perform?
Simply put, they must avoid another rendition of their now ‘classic’, second half season collapse.
Nathan Buckley on Flag chance
5) Play Mason Cox
211cm. 110kg. Games: 0, Goals: 0.
International Rookie. American. #46.
If you still don’t know who I am talking about, the name you need to learn is Mason Cox.
After picking up the game only two years ago, Cox was one of the stand out performers in Collingwood’s NAB Challenge game against Geelong.
The big man threw himself into the contest, crashed packs and took four marks, and kicked two goals.
Brodie Grundy is Collingwood’s clear number one ruckman. However, the second-choice ruckman isn’t so apparent. Jarrod Witts has played 38 games, and at 23 years of age, he is still finding his role in Collingwood’s line-up.
Enter Mason Cox. I’m not suggesting Cox should be played for 23 games straight. But if you can get 10-12 games into this giant by the end of the season, that will be a massive tick towards his development.
Gerard Healy believes Cox is a no-brainer selection for Round 1, while Jason Dunstall has also sung his praises.
I don’t know if Mason Cox is Collingwood’s next big thing, but one thing I do know is: the Pies must play him in 2016.
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