| Director of Football Rodney Eade has provided an assessment of the injury status of the following players: 2. Sam Dwyer “He is recovering well from his groin operation. He’s joined in full training now for a week or two so he’s still a couple of weeks away. He’ll hopefully play VFL in two weeks time.” 5. Nick Maxwell “He just had a kick in the calf (at training). He’ll be coming to the Gold Coast for the camp and will play against the Suns.” 6. Tyson Goldsack “Goldy felt tight behind his knee on the weekend so we didn’t know whether it was hamstring related. But the scans were all clear, that’s good, so he’s coming to the Gold Coast and there’s a fair chance he’ll play on the weekend.” 11. Jarryd Blair “He had a toe injury about a month ago which has been slow to recover but he’s been back in full training this week. He won’t be at the Gold Coast.” 13. Taylor Adams “He just got ill two days before the game so he’s recovered and he’s going to the Gold Coast.” 15. Jarrod Witts and 28. Ben Sinclair "Both played on the weekend and both are coming to the Gold Coast. Sinclair will definitely play and Witts is a chance to get some time, too." 17. Dayne Beams “Beamsy was just rested (against Richmond). They’re just monitoring his workload. He’ll play on the Gold Coast.” 24. Josh Thomas “He’s had a bit of tendonitis in his knee. He’s had a bit of slow progression over the last three weeks. He’s stepping up his training now and will hopefully play in the VFL in a couple of week’s time. He’s not going to the Gold Coast.” 29. Tim Broomhead “He’s got a broken hand. He’s back running but he’s still another four weeks away.” 33. Patrick Karnezis “He’s making good progress from Osteitis Pubis. He’s been in football training so it’s just about doing full loads now but we’re going to take a conservative approach and give him a pre-season, as such. He’ll probably be another month, probably by the end of March he’ll be right to play.” 34. Alan Toovey “He’s coming to the Gold Coast with a chance of playing some football, but he’s doing everything possible and everything right. It’s really the surgeon who has to tick off when he feels comfortable that he can play.” 39. Nathan Freeman “He had a hamstring injury against Geelong in the NAB Challenge. He’s got four to five weeks to go.” | Several of Collingwood’s most important players will take part in the club’s training camp on the Gold Coast this week as the nucleus of the team begins to settle ahead of the home and away season. Director of Football Rodney Eade gave the green light to Nick Maxwell (calf), Taylor Adams (illness), Dayne Beams (rested), Ben Sinclair (shoulder) and Jarrod Witts (shoulder), who each missed Saturday’s loss to Richmond in Wangaratta. Utility Tyson Goldsack is also in the frame after scans cleared him of any damage to his hamstring during the clash with the Tigers. “Goldy just felt tight behind his knee on the weekend, so we didn’t know whether it was hamstring related,” Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au. “But the scans were all clear, that’s good, so he’s coming to the Gold Coast and there’s a fair chance he’ll play on the weekend.” Alan Toovey will also make the trip up north as he nears the end of his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction. Eade says Toovey remains a chance of playing “some football” during the team’s training camp. “He’s coming to the Gold Coast with a chance of playing some football, but he’s doing everything possible and everything right,” Eade said. “It’s really the surgeon who has to tick off when he feels comfortable that he can play.” Witts and Sinclair both returned from shoulder surgery against Port Melbourne in a VFL practice match on Sunday and are in contention for next week’s meeting with the Suns. In other injury news, Josh Thomas will be sidelined for at least a few more weeks as he works to overcome knee tendonitis. “He’s had a bit of slow progression over the last three weeks,” Eade said. “He’s stepping up his training now and will hopefully play in the VFL in a couple of weeks time.” Sam Dwyer (groin) is also still at least a fortnight away from resuming in the VFL while Jarryd Blair will miss the Gold Coast camp as he overcomes a toe injury. |
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Injury List
Collingwood News
Monday, February 24, 2014
2014 NAB Challenge Round 2: Richmond 124 Collingwood 76
COLLINGWOOD 0.3.0.18 0.7.2.44 0.10.4.64 1.10.7.76
RICHMOND 0.5.6.36 1.8.8.65 1.10.12.81 1.17.13.124
SCORERS - Collingwood: White (1.0.0), Reid (0.5.0), Cloke (0.3.1), Mooney (0.2.1), Elliott (0.0.2), Ball (0.0.1), Kennedy (0.0.1), Sidebottom (0.0.1)
BEST - Collingwood: Reid, Pendlebury, Kennedy, Langdon
INJURIES - Collingwood: Nil
SUBSTITUTES - Collingwood: Nil
REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD: Estimated 11,000, Norm Minns Oval
| THE MEDIA | |
|
Nathan Buckley's plan to play Ben Reid alongside Travis Cloke in his forward line this season has paid early dividends with the two combining for eight goals in Wangaratta's NAB Challenge match on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies may have gone down to a strong-finishing Richmond side by 48 points, but the Reid-Cloke approach paid dividends when the ball was in their forward half. It was Reid's first competitive hit-out for the year after the Pies took a conservative approach to his pre-season following a calf injury. Cloke also looked fit as he kicked three goals despite the hard work of David Astbury. Still, the Tigers were very impressive as they booted seven final quarter goals after the Pies got within five points in the third quarter to win 1.17.13 (124) to 1.10.7 (76). For the Magpies, Dane Swan and Pendlebury found the ball often; Swan looking slim in his first game for the year as he racked up 26 possessions. Alex Fasolo, also in his first game for 2014 after the foot injury that wrecked last season, played across half back and was solid. Brodie Grundy rucked with the help of Quinten Lynch after the late omission of Ben Hudson and caught the eye twice in the first half for giving away 50m penalties after run-ins with Matt Thomas. WHAT WE LEARNED Collingwood: A fit Clinton Young is a solid acquisition for the Magpies' midfield. The ex-Hawk, whose first season in the black and white was ruined by calf and hamstring problems, impressed with some bursts out of the middle and delivery with his accurate left foot – one of which hit Ben Reid on the chest directly in front of goal. While Reid clearly looks good in attack, questions remain over whether his presence up forward robs the backline of experience with Lachie Keeffe, Jack Frost and Nathan Brown left to curtail the big forwards in his – and Nick Maxwell's – absence. NEW FACES Collingwood: The Pies had no new faces but got another game into recruits Tony Armstrong, Jesse White and Jonathon Marsh. Armstrong wasn't prolific but White took six marks and took the ball inside 50 four times. Marsh started as the substitute and showed a bit in the minutes he got after half time including an impressive run down tackle in the middle of the ground. POINTS OF INTEREST
".... at the final siren it was Collingwood who now have some serious questions being asked about them. Yes, it is the NAB Challenge. Yes, they were missing Dayne Beams, Nick Maxwell and Taylor Adams but Nathan Buckley wouldn’t have liked the way the team finished off the game. It is a concern with a tough opening four weeks to the season against Fremantle, Sydney, Geelong and Richmond." SUPERFOOTY |
Things learned: GO FORWARD, BEN REID Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley should fund research into cloning, because he desperately needs two Ben Reids. How much would the Magpies love to have one Reid in defence and another in attack? After Saturday’s performance, Reid looks to have cemented himself in the forward line after a five mark, five goal effort in Wangaratta. Alongside Travis Cloke and Jesse White, Collingwood would have one of the most dangerous forward lines in the AFL. Unfortunately, without Reid in defence the Magpies were caught out as Richmond piled on 18 goals to take a 48-point win. BRODIE CAN HANDLE HIMSELF Brodie Grundy must have been watching Cool Runnings before taking on Richmond on Saturday. The Collingwood ruckman was a “bad-ass mother who don’t take no crap off of nobody”. Grundy got suckered in my a Ricky Petterd hip-and-shoulder before throwing the Tigers forward to the ground and giving away a free-kick. As Reece Conca and Matt Thomas came in to remonstrate, Grundy wasn’t taking a backward step and ragdolled Thomas to the ground, giving away a 50m penalty. After making his way to the bench, Grundy probably got a stern talking to from coach Nathan Buckley. We say; “keep it up young man”. FASOLO ON TRACK Alex Fasolo missed all but three games in 2013 as a foot injury took its toll. The Magpies’ forward-midfielder returned to the field for the first time since Round 5, 2013 on Saturday and would be pleased with his effort. Fasolo was carefully managed throughout the match but still managed to gather 14 touches and two marks. Collingwood fans will hope to see Fasolo far more often in 2014 as he is a dangerous small forward who is also an important secondary midfield option for Nathan Buckley. PIES HAVE SOME WORK TO DO Collingwood and Richmond came into Saturday’s game after losing their opening NAB Challenge matches. Collingwood showed plenty in a narrow loss to Geelong while Richmond were upset by Melbourne. However, at the final siren it was Collingwood who now have some serious questions being asked about them. Yes, it is the NAB Challenge. Yes, they were missing Dayne Beams, Nick Maxwell and Taylor Adams but Nathan Buckley wouldn’t have liked the way the team finished off the game. It is a concern with a tough opening four weeks to the season against Fremantle, Sydney, Geelong and Richmond. But any anxiety felt by the sizeable Tiger army would surely have been quelled by Richmond's far more accomplished display in its second hitout against Collingwood at Wangaratta on Saturday, which produced an accomplished 48-point win. It was a victory, not for the first time engineered by Richmond's classiest acts, with skipper Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin all starring, collecting nearly 100 possessions between them. Up forward, despite the absence of spearhead Jack Riewoldt, the Tigers were still able to muster 18 goals, with Cotchin and key forward Ty Vickery booting four each. Richmond certainly began the game in a far higher gear than it found for all four quarters of last week's game. But the Tigers' satisfaction was tempered by coach Damien Hardwick's revelation that No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric could need ankle surgery and the Tigers do not know when he will start his season. Maric had successful post-season groin surgery but has yet to play in the pre-season. ''We're just monitoring his progress and see how he's going,'' Hardwick said. ''He's probably in the hands of the doctor at the moment. ''It's been a bit of a drawn-out process at this stage so at some stage we've probably got to make a decision on which way we go. [Surgery] is a possibility.'' Strong performances from ruck recruit Shaun Hampson and tall swingman Ben Griffiths on Saturday suggest Richmond has better back-up for Maric this season. The Tigers' defensive pressure was spot on from the start, their first two goals to Shane Edwards and Deledio the direct result of turnovers forced by dwelling on Collingwood defenders attempting to clear the decks. Richmond dominated the clearances early on, having racked up 16 to the Magpies' six late in the first term, and all its stars were on song, Cotchin chipping in with a couple of goals, Martin starting at half-back but sweeping through midfield with effect, and Deledio all over the place. And the Tigers continue to build both the depth and quality of their midfield. Reece Conca, in his first hitout of 2014, didn't miss a beat early, and particularly impressive was rookie-listed former Port Adelaide player Matt Thomas, who picked up 15 first-half possessions. Former Greater Western Sydney youngster Anthony Miles also had immediate impact when he came off the substitute's bench, picking up 10 touches in the third term and finishing with 18. Collingwood's errors were costly early, as was some ill-discipline from the likes of young ruckman Brodie Grundy, who, frustrated by conceding the ruck battle to Hampson, gave away two 50-metre penalties in the first half. The Magpies generally didn't look nearly as sharp as they had in last week's opener against Geelong, though they would have been encouraged by Dane Swan's first competitive outing for the year, the Brownlow medallist getting his usual swag of possessions. Collingwood at least looked potent enough when it did go forward, starting with the three-tall set-up of Travis Cloke, Jesse White and Ben Reid, with Lachie Keeffe at centre half-back. And Reid provided plenty of evidence that his move forward last season could pay longer-term dividends with five goals for the afternoon. |
Thursday, February 20, 2014
2014 NAB Challenge Round 2: Collingwood v Richmond
| Collingwood v Richmond Saturday February 22, 4.40pm Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta Fox Footy 4.30pm Weather: Min 8 Max 29 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: SSW 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.65 Richmond $2.20 |
Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo is poised to make his long awaited return from a serious foot injury after he was named in an extended squad to face Richmond in the club’s second NAB Challenge hit out this Saturday in Wangaratta.
Fasolo has endured a torrid 12 months, managing to only play three matches last season after suffering a stress fracture to the navicular bone in his right foot, which forced the West Australian to undergo surgery in May and prematurely brought his campaign to a close
But after adopting a conservative and thorough approach to his rehabilitation, Fasolo is in line to make a major breakthrough and step onto the park for his first competitive outing since ANZAC Day.
The 21-year old is one of seven inclusions to the side which narrowly fell to Geelong by two points at Skilled Stadium as Collingwood seeks to finalise its best 22 ahead of the opening round of the season against Fremantle on March 14.
Star midfielder Dane Swan, key defender Nathan Brown and versatile swingmen Ben Reid and Tyson Goldsack will join the fray alongside ruckman Ben Hudson and speedster Caolan Mooney, while three players are still to be omitted from the 29-man squad.
The Wangaratta fixture will be Mooney’s first senior match since round 17 last year against Gold Coast, a clash which also marked Hudson’s final appearance for the 2013 campaign.
Injury has forced Tim Broomhead (hand) and Nathan Freeman (hamstring) to the sidelines, with the fledgling duo set to miss up a month of football, while Dayne Beams and Nick Maxwell will be rested ahead of the Magpies pre-season clash on the Gold Coast next weekend.
| Collingwood Squad | |
| 1. Alex Fasolo 3. Brent Macaffer 4. Brodie Grundy 6. Tyson Goldsack 7. Ben Kennedy 8. Heritier Lumumba 9. Marty Clarke 10. Scott Pendlebury 12. Luke Ball 13. Taylor Adams 14. Clinton Young 16. Nathan Brown 18. Jesse White 19. Jamie Elliott 20. Ben Reid | 21. Quinten Lynch 22. Steele Sidebottom 23. Lachlan Keeffe 25. Ben Hudson 26. Marley Williams 27. Tony Armstrong 31. Jackson Ramsay 32. Travis Cloke 36. Dane Swan 38. Peter Yagmoor 41. Tom Langdon 45. Jack Frost 46. Jonathon Marsh 48. Caolan Mooney |
Changes (from the team that lost to Geelong)
In: Nathan Brown, Alex Fasolo, Tyson Goldsack, Ben Hudson, Caolan Mooney, Ben Reid, Dane Swan
Out: Dayne Beams, Tim Broomhead, Nathan Freeman, Nick Maxwell
Injury List
Collingwood News
Injury list as of Monday 17 February 2014.
Collingwood's Director of Football Rodney Eade has provided the following assessment of the players returning from injury layoffs:
1. Alex Fasolo
"'Fas' is recovering from his navicular bone injury. He's made steady progress and we’re not fast tracking him at all. We're just going to take our time with it, but he’s ticked every box so far, so we’re pleased with his progress."
15. Jarrod Witts and 28. Ben Sinclair
"Jarrod and Ben are in the same boat. They both had shoulder reconstructions, and their recoveries are on schedule. They are three months post-op, and are not far away from joining in competitive work. They’re in line to be available for selection NAB 1 (Geelong) or NAB 2 (Richmond)."
16. Nathan Brown
"He had minor surgery post-season on his shoulder and knee. Nathan is another one who has been exemplary in his rehab. He did everything right before Christmas, rejoining the main group just before the break and has come back in really good shape."
28. Patrick Karnezis
"Karnezis has turned a corner, it’s been a big corner with his OP. He’s stepped up his running now, his strength is improving, he’s increasing his workload, but we’re not going to take any risks. We’re going to take our time, and make sure we can get it right."
29. Tim Broomhead (broken hand) and 39. Nathan Freeman (hamstring)
"We'll see how they go, but they'll be missing three to four (weeks) each, probably." - coach Nathan Buckley, after the pair sustained their injuries in the NAB Challenge opener against Geelong on 12 February.
34. Alan Toovey
"Alan is on track. As you'd imagine with Alan Toovey, he's done everything professionally, and is in contention to be available for round one of the season proper."
35. Matthew Scharenberg
“He is a very talented player but he is young and we were always taking a long term approach with him. There was a small amount of lingering pain and with the operation (to remove a small bone in a toe in both feet) he will have some certainty of an outcome. There is no real time frame on his return but all going well he should be running and seriously preparing to play in late May.”
40. Paul Seedsman
"He was training well but had a problem in his hip that was impinging on his running. He could have gone through the season with it but we felt by mid-year he would have had to down load and cut his training and that would have most likely impacted on his playing. It is still early in the season so we felt it was best to have the surgery now and it is only a six week off and we can get him back into full training again.” - Rodney Eade in The Age, 28 January 2014.
43. Adam Oxley
“Really, it’s a good result. It looked like it could have been a fracture, which is what we were afraid of, as he’s had a very good pre-season, but to come out with a badly sprained ankle, and four-to-six weeks is what we think is a good result. If Adam gets his rehab right after a very good pre-season there is no doubt he will be back playing before round one.”
| Collingwood v Richmond Saturday February 22, 4.40pm Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta Fox Footy 4.30pm Weather: Min 8 Max 29 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: SSW 14kph Betting: Collingwood $1.65 Richmond $2.20 |
Collingwood's Director of Football Rodney Eade has provided the following assessment of the players returning from injury layoffs:
1. Alex Fasolo
"'Fas' is recovering from his navicular bone injury. He's made steady progress and we’re not fast tracking him at all. We're just going to take our time with it, but he’s ticked every box so far, so we’re pleased with his progress."
15. Jarrod Witts and 28. Ben Sinclair
"Jarrod and Ben are in the same boat. They both had shoulder reconstructions, and their recoveries are on schedule. They are three months post-op, and are not far away from joining in competitive work. They’re in line to be available for selection NAB 1 (Geelong) or NAB 2 (Richmond)."
16. Nathan Brown
"He had minor surgery post-season on his shoulder and knee. Nathan is another one who has been exemplary in his rehab. He did everything right before Christmas, rejoining the main group just before the break and has come back in really good shape."
28. Patrick Karnezis
"Karnezis has turned a corner, it’s been a big corner with his OP. He’s stepped up his running now, his strength is improving, he’s increasing his workload, but we’re not going to take any risks. We’re going to take our time, and make sure we can get it right."
29. Tim Broomhead (broken hand) and 39. Nathan Freeman (hamstring)
"We'll see how they go, but they'll be missing three to four (weeks) each, probably." - coach Nathan Buckley, after the pair sustained their injuries in the NAB Challenge opener against Geelong on 12 February.
34. Alan Toovey
"Alan is on track. As you'd imagine with Alan Toovey, he's done everything professionally, and is in contention to be available for round one of the season proper."
35. Matthew Scharenberg
“He is a very talented player but he is young and we were always taking a long term approach with him. There was a small amount of lingering pain and with the operation (to remove a small bone in a toe in both feet) he will have some certainty of an outcome. There is no real time frame on his return but all going well he should be running and seriously preparing to play in late May.”
40. Paul Seedsman
"He was training well but had a problem in his hip that was impinging on his running. He could have gone through the season with it but we felt by mid-year he would have had to down load and cut his training and that would have most likely impacted on his playing. It is still early in the season so we felt it was best to have the surgery now and it is only a six week off and we can get him back into full training again.” - Rodney Eade in The Age, 28 January 2014.
43. Adam Oxley
“Really, it’s a good result. It looked like it could have been a fracture, which is what we were afraid of, as he’s had a very good pre-season, but to come out with a badly sprained ankle, and four-to-six weeks is what we think is a good result. If Adam gets his rehab right after a very good pre-season there is no doubt he will be back playing before round one.”
Monday, February 17, 2014
Magpie 2014 Ratings
SUPERFOOTY
Collingwood players are listed in five categories in assessing their 2014 ratings:
The Magpies are no certainties to play finals in 2014, but their future looks very promising. They’ve secured five first-round draft picks in the past two years as well as prized selection Taylor Adams as Nathan Buckley takes full control of his team.
But is the cattle they’ve assembled really that good? Here is our assessment.
GUNS
Scott Pendlebury
Age: 26. Games: 171. Position: Midfielder
It might have only been NAB Challenge, but from the moment Scott Pendlebury shed the green vest last week the Magpies seemed to walk taller. And kick a lot more goals. They went from four goals down to three goals up, largely due to this bloke’s class. Based on SuperCoach points, he’s the most consistent AFL superstar since 2011 and his coolness in traffic remains unchallenged. Last year 93 per cent of Pendles’ clearances were effective. Crazy good.
SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: He’s expensive, priced at $683,100, but expensive for a reason. Some experts believe Pendlebury will do the unthinkable and overtake Ablett as the No. 1 scorer this year.
Dane Swan
Age: 30. Games: 219. Position: Midfielder
Swanny simply refuses to show signs of slowing down. The greatest accumulator of disposals per minute in the AFL, Champion Data also ranks him the No. 1 midfielder in one-on-one contests. And when Swan fires, so do the Pies with the Brownlow Medallist raking in an extra 31 SuperCoach points in wins last season. He just inked a new deal to remain a Pie until the end of 2016 and still remains a huge threat for another Brownlow, finishing just two votes behind winner Gary Ablett last year.
Dayne Beams
Age: 24. Games: 91. Position: Midfielder
Entering his sixth season, Beams is now a legitimate gun of the competition. The quad injury he sustained at the final kick of the final training session before Round 1 last year kept him sidelined until Round 16, but he wasted no time reminding the footy world just how damaging he is. Beams led the Pies in clearances from his eight games and averaged 28 disposals, while his record in big matches is outstanding. He showed in the NAB Challenge opener he’s back to his best and ready for a monster 2014.
SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: Priced under $500,000 on the back of his injury-wrecked 2013, Beams should be one of your first-picked players. Cracked the ton in the NAB Challenge match to put an exclamation mark after his name.
Travis Cloke
Age: 27. Games: 196. Position: Full-forward
Cloke’s 2012 might have been dominated by his ridiculous drawn-out and public contract negotiations, but the brutal spearhead showed why he won a five-year deal last season. The full-forward finished fourth in the Copeland Trophy and was named All-Australian after booting 68 goals to finish two off the Coleman Medal. Cloke also clunked 58 contested grabs, the most in the AFL, and amassed a massive 136 shots at goal. If he can sweeten his accuracy the 108kg hulk could become the hardest forward to contain.
Ben Reid
Age: 24. Games: 95. Position: Key defender/forward
If Nathan Buckley had one wish it could well be for a second Ben Reid. The 195cm star showed in the second half of last year he’s just as capable booting goals as he is defending them. The swingman kicked bags of four and five in the final home and away games, while his long reach makes him a stingy defender. With Jesse White on-board the need for Reid up forward will diminish, but his ability to swing between the arcs adds another dimension to the Pies’ game plan.
STARS
Steele Sidebottom
Age: 23. Games: 108. Position: Midfielder
Sidebottom is one of the Pies’ most consistent and durable offensive midfielders. A big-game specialist — dating back to his 10-goal TAC Cup Grand Final effort — he was a rare contributor in last year’s shock elimination final loss. The 180cm star finished third in the Copeland Trophy and has played 108 of a possible 118 games since his debut. Sidebottom is able to excel on the back of the Magpie midfield brilliance, repeatedly working to space and delivering the footy under less pressure.
Nathan Brown
Age: 25. Games: 90. Position: Key defender
The Pies’ lockdown defender is rarely beaten and became one of the league’s finest spoilers in 2013. Brown had more than two goals kicked on him by his direct opponent just twice last year, despite holding the defensive fort with Lachie Keeffe last year as Ben Reid was swung forward.
FOOT SOLDIERS
Luke Ball
Age: 29. Games: 206. Position: Midfielder
Luke Ball’s scintillating finish to 2013 — a year he began still plagued by that knee reconstruction and hamstring issues — showed he’s far from a spent force. The ex-Saint posted a career-best disposal average, despite averaging the fewest minutes on the ground at one time of any midfielder in the competition. An outstanding character, he will also have a huge role to play in teaching the prized young midfielders at the Pies such as Taylor Adams and Nathan Freeman.
Heritier Lumumba
Age: 27. Games: 178. Position: Running defender
A new name, a new hairdo and renewed energy from Harr… er, Heritier this year. Those at the Magpies say Lumumba is happy and in peak condition entering 2014. And with Heath Shaw gone, expect Lumumba to add enough more flair and dash to his game — and that could translate to success. Last year Lumumba collected 20 disposals in 11 matches for 10 wins.
Nick Maxwell
Age: 30. Games: 198. Position: Defender
The former skipper will remain a leader despite handing over the big C to Pendles and while he’s polarised many in the footy community, there is little doubting his standing within the Westpac Centre. An intercept king, Maxwell enjoyed more midfield time in 2013 and remains an integral cog in the back six.
Brodie Grundy
Age: 19. Games: 7. Position: Ruckman
We all know the story. Touted all year as a top-three draft pick. Overlooked by GWS five times. Fell to the Pies at No. 18 in the steal of the 2012 draft. And from his Round 18 debut Grundy wasted no time letting the footy world know he would have little problem adapting to the highest level. With Darren Jolly gone the physical ruckman is suddenly the main man at the Pies, but looks capable. Wearing Alan Didak’s No. 4 guernsey, Grundy impressed in the NAB Challenge opener with the Pies’ onball division looking sharper with him in the centre. Opponents might try and expose his tank but Grundy is a Pie on the rise.
SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: A No. 1 ruckman priced at $363,000? That looks pretty special. Scored 63 from limited game time last week and should rise at least $100k — and fast.
Taylor Adams
Age: 20. Games: 31. Position: Midfielder
When GWS took Adams at No. 13 in the 2011 draft with the 10th of their 11 top-14 picks, several clubs were left disappointed, but not surprised. The Geelong Falcons hardnut was rated as a future AFL leader and had his name called before Richmond young gun Brandon Ellis. In his 31 games at the Giants he showed in glimpses why he was so highly regarded, and ranked the second-best clearance player behind Callan Ward last year. If Adams develops as expected it shouldn’t be long until he elevates himself into the next category, particularly learning from the likes of Pendles, Swan and Beams.
Jesse White
Age: 26. Games: 71. Position: Key forward
Pick 44 for Jesse White? It seemed like a reasonable trade at the time, but if White’s five-goal debut in the NAB Challenge foreshadows his black and white career the Magpies will emerge huge winners. A perennial teaser, White kept showing glimpses of his freakish ability as a mobile forward at the Swans before being squeezed out a year after almost joining Adelaide. Will replace the Q-Stick and could provide the perfect foil for Travis Cloke.
Clinton Young
Age: 28. Games: 118. Position: Midfielder
You can disregard the premiership Hawk’s maiden season at the Pies with the line-breaker repeatedly breaking down with soft-tissue injuries. Young managed just two games therefore should effectively be a recruit in 2014 and if he can resurrect his powerful running and kicking game it’ll be a sweetener for Bucks. Champion Data stats showed Young averaged a gain of 39m per kick last year, the clear No. 1 at the Pies.
Sam Dwyer
Age: 27. Games: 21. Position: Half-forward
A shrewd rookie selection, Dwyer got his chance at 26 and immediately added a coat of gloss to Collingwood’s half-forward line. His ball use was the catalyst for countless scoring opportunities, and Dwyer cemented his place in the Magpies side in just his second game when he torched Carlton with a goal from 23 possessions. If Dwyer can kick on in 2014 the likable ex-Port Melbourne star still has time to forge out an impressive AFL career.
Jamie Elliott
Age: 21. Games: 35. Position: Small forward
Elliott needs to crunch the gap between his best and worst, but he showed in 2013 he’s capable of becoming a star. The energetic livewire booted five goals in the Round 2 blockbuster against Carlton and showed he’s got more strings than just crumbing, taking the second-most marks inside 50 at the Pies behind Cloke. A burst player who is hard to contain when red-hot, he also took mark of the year and finished the year with a solid 30 goals from 20 matches.
Alex Fasolo
Age: 21. Games: 40. Position: Small forward
Fasolo shot to prominence in his first two seasons, booting 44 goals from his first 37 games, before suffering a nasty navicular injury to his right foot last year. The 181cm forward faces a tricky task returning to full flight this season but his talent is unquestionable. He should provide another dynamic to the forward half in 2014.
Jarryd Blair
Age: 23. Games: 81. Position: Small forward
The 174cm warrior is in the Pies’ side for one crucial reason — his defensive pressure. And that was evident last year as Nathan Buckley cut down Blair’s midfield time as the likes of Josh Thomas stepped up and Brent Macaffer and Luke Ball returned. But Blair remained an automatic selection, notching the third-most pressure acts in the AFL. His average of 5.7 tackles led the Magpies, while he is expected to remain as a small forward this year.
Lachie Keeffe
Age: 23. Games: 22. Position: Key defender
Keeffe might not have rejoined the Magpies’ AFL side until Round 17 after overcoming a knee reconstruction, but he quickly showed how valuable he is. The key defender had just 11 goals kicked on him in eight matches, a remarkable achievement given he manned up on Buddy, Jeremy Cameron and Kurt Tippett at times. His defensive numbers mirrored Harry Taylor, while his return freed up Ben Reid to swing forward late in the season. After a full pre-season the reliable backman is set for a big 2014.
Brent Macaffer
Age: 26. Games: 52. Position: Midfielder
If there was one thing the Magpies lacked in the late years of Mick Malthouse’s rein, it was a tagger. Enter Macaffer. The former rookie was reborn last year, shutting down players in the ilk of Nick Dal Santo, Joel Selwood, Sam Mitchell and Josh Kennedy — limiting all to less than 20 possessions. The challenge for him is to add an offensive streak to his game in 2014, but credit to Macaffer — and coach Nathan Buckley — to reignite himself after a knee reconstruction.
Paul Seedsman
Age: 22. Games: 28. Position: Defender
The running defender was the Pies’ most improved player last year and stepped up into the role most thought Clinton Young would play until the ex-Hawk broke down with injury. A value pick nabbed at No. 76 in the draft who should be a regular when he returns from hip surgery.
Josh Thomas
Age: 22: Games: 19. Position: Midfielder
The Magpies just keep sticking by the No. 75 pick from 2009 and we finally saw why last season, when Thomas finally shook his injury curse and broke through for 19 games. Expect Thomas to ramp up his midfield responsibilities this season. He averaged the fifth-most disposals of any debutant and showed his potential with 35 sharp touches, a goal and three Brownlow votes against the Eagles in Round 22.
Alan Toovey
Age: 26. Games: 114. Position: Defender
The defender is just about ready to roll after rupturing his ACL last Anzac Day. And what a plus that will be, given how highly Toovey is respected by the playing group. His absence left a hole last season with his opening month impressive. Will take time this year to return to his very best.
Marley Williams
Age: 20. Games: 22. Position: Defender
If medals were given out in pre-season, Marley Williams would have both hands in the air for one. He has sizzled this summer with his blistering pace and creativity a standout as he practices streaming out of defence. With Heath Shaw gone, expect the bargain rookie pick to go to a new level in 2014 after playing the final 16 games last season, winning a Rising Star nomination on the way.
Ben Sinclair
Age: 22. Games: 39. Position: Defender
Sinclair’s 2012 was a roller-coaster. He struggled early and found himself dropped before replacing Alan Toovey in the back pocket and flourishing, but had his season ended in Round 21 with a blow to his shoulder. In his defensive role he was able to contain the likes of Luke Dahlhaus and Jeff Garlett. Still needs to sharpen his kicking but it will be interesting to see where Bucks places him in 2014.
CROSSROADS
Tyson Goldsack
Age: 26. Games: 104 games. Position: Defender
Goldsack is probably stiff to be here but after injuries kept him to 13 games last year it shapes as an important season for the swingman. The premiership player reinvented himself as a crafty forward in 2012, before returning to his defensive post last season. He became a favourite of the coaching staff with his impeccable one-on-one record and knack for affecting intercepts. If he can return to his best this year he could quickly return to the best 18.
Jarrod Witts
Age: 21. Games: 7. Position: Ruckman
Mick Malthouse was a massive Witts fan, adamant he would have played senior footy in 2012 if he was still coach. It took the 208cm man-mountain until Round 7 last year to debut, and while he remains a work in progress, the Magpie faithful will be hoping he starts to cash in on his potential to develop a dominant ruck partnership with Grundy.
Patrick Karnezis
Age: 21. Games: 21. Position: Forward
A perennial teaser at the Lions, Karnezis should get opportunities at the Pies as a third marking forward. He was the buzz player 12 months ago, impressing in Brisbane’s NAB Cup triumph but fizzled quickly as midfield opportunities dried up. The former Oakleigh Charger dominated the weaker NEAFL and at 21 and entering his fourth year in the system he needs to start stringing games together.
Tony Armstrong
Age: 24. Games: 29. Position: Defender
Armstrong joined the Pies as a delisted free agent in a boom move for his career. A run-and-carry specialist, he was always unlikely to get much of a go at the Swans behind the likes of Lewis Jetta and Gary Rohan. The Pies have lost Heath Shaw and Ben Johnson, so Armstrong will get chances if he’s good enough. He looked good in the Pies’ first intra-club but after 29 games in six years (14 with Adelaide, 15 with Sydney) the time to show he can be a regular at the top level is now.
Marty Clarke
Age: 26. Games: 72. Position: Defender
The Irishman vanished quickly from Collingwood’s side last year with a corked thigh, ankle injury and dip in form shutting down his season. Clarke’s return of nine games was the lowest of his AFL career, while he struggled with the physicality with his tackling efficiency letting him down. In his third year back in Australia, the 26-year-old needs a big 2014.
Quinten Lynch
Age: 31. Games: 227. Position: Key forward
With Jesse White’s arrival, the Q-Stick is set to become the go-to man in the Pies’ VFL side this year. Lynch looked one of the recruits of the year last season when he racked up 24 touches against Carlton in Round 2, but after that he faded quickly as his body started to break down. He could pinch-hit in the ruck, but at 31 Lynch looks to have just a handful of AFL games left in him.
Ben Hudson (rookie)
Age: 35. Games: 168. Position: Ruckman
At 35 the John Farnham of the AFL is on the rookie list purely for insurance. He’s at the Pies for his ruck coaching ability and to help the VFL division but did manage seven AFL appearances last year. Look for him should Witts or Grundy go down but surely after a career spanning four clubs this is his final year on an AFL list.
Caolan Mooney (rookie)
Age: 21. Games: 6. Position: Forward
The speedy Irishman was a big improver in the VFL last year and even cracked two senior games. If that graph continues this year he could be one the Pies bring onto the primary list.
Peter Yagmoor (rookie)
Age: 20. Games: 2. Position: Defender
Yagmoor was in the side when Buckley started as Magpies coach but failed to play a match last season. The defender with a nice left foot can run himself into trouble and will be hoping to add to his games tally in 2014 in order to stay in the system.
WHO KNOWS?
Nathan Freeman
Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Midfielder
The Pies have a speed demon in Nathan Freeman. The Luke Shuey-clone who also has a touch of Patrick Dangerfield sprinkled through him became a Magpie with their prized No. 10 pick last year and while he suffered a hamstring setback against the Cats, there’s little reason why he can’t make an impact this year. A gregarious and fun teenager with a streak of leadership, the damaging midfielder will catch the eye quickly with his burst acceleration almost impossible to stop, particularly out of packs. Expect him to shoot up to star status one day.
Matthew Scharenberg
Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Defender
Champion Data ranked this intercept king the clear third-best player in last year’s draft, but he fell to the Pies at No. 6, who were unfazed about serious feet injuries he was carrying. They hoped rest would allow him to run again (he hasn’t played at any level since August 3), but it didn’t help and Scharenberg had both his feet operated on this month. The dual All-Australian is now facing several months on the sidelines, but if he returns to full fitness the Pies will have a ready-made replacement for Heath Shaw. Mark Williams rated him as the best schoolboy talent since Wayne Carey.
Ben Kennedy
Age: 20. Games: 12. Position: Forward
Another of Collingwood’s coveted first-round picks, Kennedy is a goalkicker with pinpoint skills who oozes class. Capable of roaming through the midfield, he won 12 games last year and performed well, mostly starting as the substitute. He’s one the Pies rate extremely high and should rise to a new level this year given he showed in 2013 he was already a cut above state-league standard.
Tim Broomhead
Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Forward
One of five first-round picks to join the Pies in the past two drafts, Broomhead suffered a setback when he broke his hand in the NAB Challenge opener. Glandular fever wrecked his debut season, so the South Australian will be desperate for a change in luck. A creative half-forward with polish, Broomhead should get chances this year on the back of his blistering second half to 2013 in the VFL.
Jackson Ramsay
Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Defender
The first half of the West Australian’s season was ruined by a wrist injury, but the No. 38 draft pick returned to average 16 disposals in 10 VFL outings. Needs to ramp up his contested ball numbers but one the Pies can work.
Jon Marsh
Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Key forward
Don’t expect to see the X-Factor forward anytime soon, but that’s not to say the Pies don’t have a player in Jon Marsh. He’s powerful and explosive but a tad erratic. Marsh blitzed the sprints test at last year’s draft camp to underline his electrifying speed and while he’s extremely raw, his marking on the lead is impressive. The Magpies didn’t even expect to use pick 77 last year, but couldn’t resist when this West Australian’s name was yet to be called.
Tom Langdon
Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Defender/midfielder
Langon is a teenager the Pies rate highly. After missing out in the 2012 draft, he returned to play TAC Cup as a 19-year-old last year and averaged 28 disposals, five tackles and five clearances for Sandringham Dragons, while he also showed he could cut it against men in his six VFL appearances. Langdon is strong overhead and could be fast-tracked for AFL games this year.
Adam Oxley
Age: 21. Games: 2. Position: Midfielder
Oxley was elevated off the rookie list after a sensational state-league season. He averaged just 14 disposals in the weaker NEAFL in 2012 before lifting that to 21 in the VFL and winning an AFL debut in Round 11. Watch for his ability to read the play from half back and use the ball neatly.
Jack Frost (rookie)
Age: 22. Games: 2. Position: Key defender
This kid is another injury-cursed Magpie with huge upside. Plucked from under the nose of the Western Bulldogs (from their then-VFL affiliate Williamstown), Frost is a stingy defender who established himself limiting the premier state-league spearheads. He battled hip injuries before the Pies took the punt in the rookie draft and debuted in Round 1 last year, but a PCL injury hampered his 2013.
Kyle Martin (rookie)
Age: 23. Games: 4. Position: Midfield
Martin simply bashed and crashed the door down to his AFL debut last year on the back of, his ridiculous VFL numbers. He averaged 25 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles in the state league on top of booting 35 goals to underline his credentials as an all-round midfield talent who can hit the scoreboard with bags of goals. The challenge this year is replicating that stellar state-league form at the top flight.
Corey Gault (rookie)
Age: 21. Games: 0. Position: Key defender
Gault looks a fair way off AFL level but has 27 VFL games to his name at the Magpies as a key defender.
Collingwood players are listed in five categories in assessing their 2014 ratings:
- Guns (in the elite of the competition)
- Stars (very good players who aren’t quite superstars)
- Foot soldiers (regulars who get the job done each week)
- Crossroads (fringe players who are playing for their career or are yet to cement a spot in the side)
- Who knows (too early to make a call)
The Magpies are no certainties to play finals in 2014, but their future looks very promising. They’ve secured five first-round draft picks in the past two years as well as prized selection Taylor Adams as Nathan Buckley takes full control of his team.
But is the cattle they’ve assembled really that good? Here is our assessment.
GUNS
Scott PendleburyAge: 26. Games: 171. Position: Midfielder
It might have only been NAB Challenge, but from the moment Scott Pendlebury shed the green vest last week the Magpies seemed to walk taller. And kick a lot more goals. They went from four goals down to three goals up, largely due to this bloke’s class. Based on SuperCoach points, he’s the most consistent AFL superstar since 2011 and his coolness in traffic remains unchallenged. Last year 93 per cent of Pendles’ clearances were effective. Crazy good.
SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: He’s expensive, priced at $683,100, but expensive for a reason. Some experts believe Pendlebury will do the unthinkable and overtake Ablett as the No. 1 scorer this year.
Dane Swan
Age: 30. Games: 219. Position: Midfielder
Swanny simply refuses to show signs of slowing down. The greatest accumulator of disposals per minute in the AFL, Champion Data also ranks him the No. 1 midfielder in one-on-one contests. And when Swan fires, so do the Pies with the Brownlow Medallist raking in an extra 31 SuperCoach points in wins last season. He just inked a new deal to remain a Pie until the end of 2016 and still remains a huge threat for another Brownlow, finishing just two votes behind winner Gary Ablett last year.
Dayne Beams
Age: 24. Games: 91. Position: Midfielder
Entering his sixth season, Beams is now a legitimate gun of the competition. The quad injury he sustained at the final kick of the final training session before Round 1 last year kept him sidelined until Round 16, but he wasted no time reminding the footy world just how damaging he is. Beams led the Pies in clearances from his eight games and averaged 28 disposals, while his record in big matches is outstanding. He showed in the NAB Challenge opener he’s back to his best and ready for a monster 2014.
SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: Priced under $500,000 on the back of his injury-wrecked 2013, Beams should be one of your first-picked players. Cracked the ton in the NAB Challenge match to put an exclamation mark after his name.
Travis ClokeAge: 27. Games: 196. Position: Full-forward
Cloke’s 2012 might have been dominated by his ridiculous drawn-out and public contract negotiations, but the brutal spearhead showed why he won a five-year deal last season. The full-forward finished fourth in the Copeland Trophy and was named All-Australian after booting 68 goals to finish two off the Coleman Medal. Cloke also clunked 58 contested grabs, the most in the AFL, and amassed a massive 136 shots at goal. If he can sweeten his accuracy the 108kg hulk could become the hardest forward to contain.
Ben Reid
Age: 24. Games: 95. Position: Key defender/forward
If Nathan Buckley had one wish it could well be for a second Ben Reid. The 195cm star showed in the second half of last year he’s just as capable booting goals as he is defending them. The swingman kicked bags of four and five in the final home and away games, while his long reach makes him a stingy defender. With Jesse White on-board the need for Reid up forward will diminish, but his ability to swing between the arcs adds another dimension to the Pies’ game plan.
STARS
Steele Sidebottom
Age: 23. Games: 108. Position: Midfielder
Sidebottom is one of the Pies’ most consistent and durable offensive midfielders. A big-game specialist — dating back to his 10-goal TAC Cup Grand Final effort — he was a rare contributor in last year’s shock elimination final loss. The 180cm star finished third in the Copeland Trophy and has played 108 of a possible 118 games since his debut. Sidebottom is able to excel on the back of the Magpie midfield brilliance, repeatedly working to space and delivering the footy under less pressure.
Nathan Brown
Age: 25. Games: 90. Position: Key defender
The Pies’ lockdown defender is rarely beaten and became one of the league’s finest spoilers in 2013. Brown had more than two goals kicked on him by his direct opponent just twice last year, despite holding the defensive fort with Lachie Keeffe last year as Ben Reid was swung forward.
FOOT SOLDIERS
Luke BallAge: 29. Games: 206. Position: Midfielder
Luke Ball’s scintillating finish to 2013 — a year he began still plagued by that knee reconstruction and hamstring issues — showed he’s far from a spent force. The ex-Saint posted a career-best disposal average, despite averaging the fewest minutes on the ground at one time of any midfielder in the competition. An outstanding character, he will also have a huge role to play in teaching the prized young midfielders at the Pies such as Taylor Adams and Nathan Freeman.
Heritier Lumumba
Age: 27. Games: 178. Position: Running defender
A new name, a new hairdo and renewed energy from Harr… er, Heritier this year. Those at the Magpies say Lumumba is happy and in peak condition entering 2014. And with Heath Shaw gone, expect Lumumba to add enough more flair and dash to his game — and that could translate to success. Last year Lumumba collected 20 disposals in 11 matches for 10 wins.
Nick Maxwell
Age: 30. Games: 198. Position: Defender
The former skipper will remain a leader despite handing over the big C to Pendles and while he’s polarised many in the footy community, there is little doubting his standing within the Westpac Centre. An intercept king, Maxwell enjoyed more midfield time in 2013 and remains an integral cog in the back six.
Brodie Grundy
Age: 19. Games: 7. Position: Ruckman
We all know the story. Touted all year as a top-three draft pick. Overlooked by GWS five times. Fell to the Pies at No. 18 in the steal of the 2012 draft. And from his Round 18 debut Grundy wasted no time letting the footy world know he would have little problem adapting to the highest level. With Darren Jolly gone the physical ruckman is suddenly the main man at the Pies, but looks capable. Wearing Alan Didak’s No. 4 guernsey, Grundy impressed in the NAB Challenge opener with the Pies’ onball division looking sharper with him in the centre. Opponents might try and expose his tank but Grundy is a Pie on the rise.
SUPERCOACH SPECIAL: A No. 1 ruckman priced at $363,000? That looks pretty special. Scored 63 from limited game time last week and should rise at least $100k — and fast.
Taylor Adams
Age: 20. Games: 31. Position: Midfielder
When GWS took Adams at No. 13 in the 2011 draft with the 10th of their 11 top-14 picks, several clubs were left disappointed, but not surprised. The Geelong Falcons hardnut was rated as a future AFL leader and had his name called before Richmond young gun Brandon Ellis. In his 31 games at the Giants he showed in glimpses why he was so highly regarded, and ranked the second-best clearance player behind Callan Ward last year. If Adams develops as expected it shouldn’t be long until he elevates himself into the next category, particularly learning from the likes of Pendles, Swan and Beams.
Jesse WhiteAge: 26. Games: 71. Position: Key forward
Pick 44 for Jesse White? It seemed like a reasonable trade at the time, but if White’s five-goal debut in the NAB Challenge foreshadows his black and white career the Magpies will emerge huge winners. A perennial teaser, White kept showing glimpses of his freakish ability as a mobile forward at the Swans before being squeezed out a year after almost joining Adelaide. Will replace the Q-Stick and could provide the perfect foil for Travis Cloke.
Clinton Young
Age: 28. Games: 118. Position: Midfielder
You can disregard the premiership Hawk’s maiden season at the Pies with the line-breaker repeatedly breaking down with soft-tissue injuries. Young managed just two games therefore should effectively be a recruit in 2014 and if he can resurrect his powerful running and kicking game it’ll be a sweetener for Bucks. Champion Data stats showed Young averaged a gain of 39m per kick last year, the clear No. 1 at the Pies.
Sam Dwyer
Age: 27. Games: 21. Position: Half-forward
A shrewd rookie selection, Dwyer got his chance at 26 and immediately added a coat of gloss to Collingwood’s half-forward line. His ball use was the catalyst for countless scoring opportunities, and Dwyer cemented his place in the Magpies side in just his second game when he torched Carlton with a goal from 23 possessions. If Dwyer can kick on in 2014 the likable ex-Port Melbourne star still has time to forge out an impressive AFL career.
Jamie ElliottAge: 21. Games: 35. Position: Small forward
Elliott needs to crunch the gap between his best and worst, but he showed in 2013 he’s capable of becoming a star. The energetic livewire booted five goals in the Round 2 blockbuster against Carlton and showed he’s got more strings than just crumbing, taking the second-most marks inside 50 at the Pies behind Cloke. A burst player who is hard to contain when red-hot, he also took mark of the year and finished the year with a solid 30 goals from 20 matches.
Alex Fasolo
Age: 21. Games: 40. Position: Small forward
Fasolo shot to prominence in his first two seasons, booting 44 goals from his first 37 games, before suffering a nasty navicular injury to his right foot last year. The 181cm forward faces a tricky task returning to full flight this season but his talent is unquestionable. He should provide another dynamic to the forward half in 2014.
Jarryd Blair
Age: 23. Games: 81. Position: Small forward
The 174cm warrior is in the Pies’ side for one crucial reason — his defensive pressure. And that was evident last year as Nathan Buckley cut down Blair’s midfield time as the likes of Josh Thomas stepped up and Brent Macaffer and Luke Ball returned. But Blair remained an automatic selection, notching the third-most pressure acts in the AFL. His average of 5.7 tackles led the Magpies, while he is expected to remain as a small forward this year.
Lachie KeeffeAge: 23. Games: 22. Position: Key defender
Keeffe might not have rejoined the Magpies’ AFL side until Round 17 after overcoming a knee reconstruction, but he quickly showed how valuable he is. The key defender had just 11 goals kicked on him in eight matches, a remarkable achievement given he manned up on Buddy, Jeremy Cameron and Kurt Tippett at times. His defensive numbers mirrored Harry Taylor, while his return freed up Ben Reid to swing forward late in the season. After a full pre-season the reliable backman is set for a big 2014.
Brent Macaffer
Age: 26. Games: 52. Position: Midfielder
If there was one thing the Magpies lacked in the late years of Mick Malthouse’s rein, it was a tagger. Enter Macaffer. The former rookie was reborn last year, shutting down players in the ilk of Nick Dal Santo, Joel Selwood, Sam Mitchell and Josh Kennedy — limiting all to less than 20 possessions. The challenge for him is to add an offensive streak to his game in 2014, but credit to Macaffer — and coach Nathan Buckley — to reignite himself after a knee reconstruction.
Paul Seedsman
Age: 22. Games: 28. Position: Defender
The running defender was the Pies’ most improved player last year and stepped up into the role most thought Clinton Young would play until the ex-Hawk broke down with injury. A value pick nabbed at No. 76 in the draft who should be a regular when he returns from hip surgery.
Josh Thomas
Age: 22: Games: 19. Position: Midfielder
The Magpies just keep sticking by the No. 75 pick from 2009 and we finally saw why last season, when Thomas finally shook his injury curse and broke through for 19 games. Expect Thomas to ramp up his midfield responsibilities this season. He averaged the fifth-most disposals of any debutant and showed his potential with 35 sharp touches, a goal and three Brownlow votes against the Eagles in Round 22.
Alan Toovey
Age: 26. Games: 114. Position: Defender
The defender is just about ready to roll after rupturing his ACL last Anzac Day. And what a plus that will be, given how highly Toovey is respected by the playing group. His absence left a hole last season with his opening month impressive. Will take time this year to return to his very best.
Age: 20. Games: 22. Position: Defender
If medals were given out in pre-season, Marley Williams would have both hands in the air for one. He has sizzled this summer with his blistering pace and creativity a standout as he practices streaming out of defence. With Heath Shaw gone, expect the bargain rookie pick to go to a new level in 2014 after playing the final 16 games last season, winning a Rising Star nomination on the way.
Ben Sinclair
Age: 22. Games: 39. Position: Defender
Sinclair’s 2012 was a roller-coaster. He struggled early and found himself dropped before replacing Alan Toovey in the back pocket and flourishing, but had his season ended in Round 21 with a blow to his shoulder. In his defensive role he was able to contain the likes of Luke Dahlhaus and Jeff Garlett. Still needs to sharpen his kicking but it will be interesting to see where Bucks places him in 2014.
CROSSROADS
Tyson Goldsack
Age: 26. Games: 104 games. Position: Defender
Goldsack is probably stiff to be here but after injuries kept him to 13 games last year it shapes as an important season for the swingman. The premiership player reinvented himself as a crafty forward in 2012, before returning to his defensive post last season. He became a favourite of the coaching staff with his impeccable one-on-one record and knack for affecting intercepts. If he can return to his best this year he could quickly return to the best 18.
Jarrod WittsAge: 21. Games: 7. Position: Ruckman
Mick Malthouse was a massive Witts fan, adamant he would have played senior footy in 2012 if he was still coach. It took the 208cm man-mountain until Round 7 last year to debut, and while he remains a work in progress, the Magpie faithful will be hoping he starts to cash in on his potential to develop a dominant ruck partnership with Grundy.
Patrick Karnezis
Age: 21. Games: 21. Position: Forward
A perennial teaser at the Lions, Karnezis should get opportunities at the Pies as a third marking forward. He was the buzz player 12 months ago, impressing in Brisbane’s NAB Cup triumph but fizzled quickly as midfield opportunities dried up. The former Oakleigh Charger dominated the weaker NEAFL and at 21 and entering his fourth year in the system he needs to start stringing games together.
Tony Armstrong
Age: 24. Games: 29. Position: Defender
Armstrong joined the Pies as a delisted free agent in a boom move for his career. A run-and-carry specialist, he was always unlikely to get much of a go at the Swans behind the likes of Lewis Jetta and Gary Rohan. The Pies have lost Heath Shaw and Ben Johnson, so Armstrong will get chances if he’s good enough. He looked good in the Pies’ first intra-club but after 29 games in six years (14 with Adelaide, 15 with Sydney) the time to show he can be a regular at the top level is now.
Marty Clarke
Age: 26. Games: 72. Position: Defender
The Irishman vanished quickly from Collingwood’s side last year with a corked thigh, ankle injury and dip in form shutting down his season. Clarke’s return of nine games was the lowest of his AFL career, while he struggled with the physicality with his tackling efficiency letting him down. In his third year back in Australia, the 26-year-old needs a big 2014.
Quinten LynchAge: 31. Games: 227. Position: Key forward
With Jesse White’s arrival, the Q-Stick is set to become the go-to man in the Pies’ VFL side this year. Lynch looked one of the recruits of the year last season when he racked up 24 touches against Carlton in Round 2, but after that he faded quickly as his body started to break down. He could pinch-hit in the ruck, but at 31 Lynch looks to have just a handful of AFL games left in him.
Ben Hudson (rookie)
Age: 35. Games: 168. Position: Ruckman
At 35 the John Farnham of the AFL is on the rookie list purely for insurance. He’s at the Pies for his ruck coaching ability and to help the VFL division but did manage seven AFL appearances last year. Look for him should Witts or Grundy go down but surely after a career spanning four clubs this is his final year on an AFL list.
Caolan Mooney (rookie)
Age: 21. Games: 6. Position: Forward
The speedy Irishman was a big improver in the VFL last year and even cracked two senior games. If that graph continues this year he could be one the Pies bring onto the primary list.
Peter Yagmoor (rookie)
Age: 20. Games: 2. Position: Defender
Yagmoor was in the side when Buckley started as Magpies coach but failed to play a match last season. The defender with a nice left foot can run himself into trouble and will be hoping to add to his games tally in 2014 in order to stay in the system.
WHO KNOWS?
Nathan FreemanAge: 18. Games: 0. Position: Midfielder
The Pies have a speed demon in Nathan Freeman. The Luke Shuey-clone who also has a touch of Patrick Dangerfield sprinkled through him became a Magpie with their prized No. 10 pick last year and while he suffered a hamstring setback against the Cats, there’s little reason why he can’t make an impact this year. A gregarious and fun teenager with a streak of leadership, the damaging midfielder will catch the eye quickly with his burst acceleration almost impossible to stop, particularly out of packs. Expect him to shoot up to star status one day.
Matthew Scharenberg
Age: 18. Games: 0. Position: Defender
Champion Data ranked this intercept king the clear third-best player in last year’s draft, but he fell to the Pies at No. 6, who were unfazed about serious feet injuries he was carrying. They hoped rest would allow him to run again (he hasn’t played at any level since August 3), but it didn’t help and Scharenberg had both his feet operated on this month. The dual All-Australian is now facing several months on the sidelines, but if he returns to full fitness the Pies will have a ready-made replacement for Heath Shaw. Mark Williams rated him as the best schoolboy talent since Wayne Carey.
Ben Kennedy
Age: 20. Games: 12. Position: Forward
Another of Collingwood’s coveted first-round picks, Kennedy is a goalkicker with pinpoint skills who oozes class. Capable of roaming through the midfield, he won 12 games last year and performed well, mostly starting as the substitute. He’s one the Pies rate extremely high and should rise to a new level this year given he showed in 2013 he was already a cut above state-league standard.
Tim Broomhead
Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Forward
One of five first-round picks to join the Pies in the past two drafts, Broomhead suffered a setback when he broke his hand in the NAB Challenge opener. Glandular fever wrecked his debut season, so the South Australian will be desperate for a change in luck. A creative half-forward with polish, Broomhead should get chances this year on the back of his blistering second half to 2013 in the VFL.
Jackson Ramsay
Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Defender
The first half of the West Australian’s season was ruined by a wrist injury, but the No. 38 draft pick returned to average 16 disposals in 10 VFL outings. Needs to ramp up his contested ball numbers but one the Pies can work.
Jon MarshAge: 18. Games: 0. Position: Key forward
Don’t expect to see the X-Factor forward anytime soon, but that’s not to say the Pies don’t have a player in Jon Marsh. He’s powerful and explosive but a tad erratic. Marsh blitzed the sprints test at last year’s draft camp to underline his electrifying speed and while he’s extremely raw, his marking on the lead is impressive. The Magpies didn’t even expect to use pick 77 last year, but couldn’t resist when this West Australian’s name was yet to be called.
Tom Langdon
Age: 19. Games: 0. Position: Defender/midfielder
Langon is a teenager the Pies rate highly. After missing out in the 2012 draft, he returned to play TAC Cup as a 19-year-old last year and averaged 28 disposals, five tackles and five clearances for Sandringham Dragons, while he also showed he could cut it against men in his six VFL appearances. Langdon is strong overhead and could be fast-tracked for AFL games this year.
Adam Oxley
Age: 21. Games: 2. Position: Midfielder
Oxley was elevated off the rookie list after a sensational state-league season. He averaged just 14 disposals in the weaker NEAFL in 2012 before lifting that to 21 in the VFL and winning an AFL debut in Round 11. Watch for his ability to read the play from half back and use the ball neatly.
Jack Frost (rookie)Age: 22. Games: 2. Position: Key defender
This kid is another injury-cursed Magpie with huge upside. Plucked from under the nose of the Western Bulldogs (from their then-VFL affiliate Williamstown), Frost is a stingy defender who established himself limiting the premier state-league spearheads. He battled hip injuries before the Pies took the punt in the rookie draft and debuted in Round 1 last year, but a PCL injury hampered his 2013.
Kyle Martin (rookie)
Age: 23. Games: 4. Position: Midfield
Martin simply bashed and crashed the door down to his AFL debut last year on the back of, his ridiculous VFL numbers. He averaged 25 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles in the state league on top of booting 35 goals to underline his credentials as an all-round midfield talent who can hit the scoreboard with bags of goals. The challenge this year is replicating that stellar state-league form at the top flight.
Corey Gault (rookie)
Age: 21. Games: 0. Position: Key defender
Gault looks a fair way off AFL level but has 27 VFL games to his name at the Magpies as a key defender.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Weston Creek Bowlo Kicks Supergoal
The Weston Creek Labor Club has kicked the first supergoal of the Fox Footy AFL viewing season in Canberra by showing games live on a crystal clear big screen.
Known locally as the Bowlo (it has three lawn bowls greens), the Club was a popular venue for the first game of the 2014 NAB Challenge between Collingwood and Geelong.
The Cats won the game, but Pies' supporters at the Bowlo won the banter.
First prize went to the wit who noted the vertical stripes of Collingwood and the horizontal colours of Geelong.
"Collingwood at least has the good sense to lay lengthways on the road when having a kip, thereby limiting themselves as targets for traffic," he said.
The Bugle recommends the Weston Creek Labor Club for AFL fans wishing to watch games on Fox Footy, and notes the Stirling Aussie Rules Oval is 100 metres away.
The Club is spacious and comfortable, with excellent bar and food service, and has a well-deserved reputation for its 'community feel'.
Match and TV Guide
The 2014 NAB Challenge will see 18 matches played consecutively in 18 days, with every club to play two matches in preparation for the season ahead:
http://www.afl.com.au/fixture/nab-challenge
2014 NAB Challenge Fox Footy Broadcast Guide:
http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/nab-challenge-broadcast-guide
Collingwood's next NAB Challenge game is against Richmond at Wangaratta, 4:40PM, Saturday, February 22.
Club Details
The Weston Creek Labor Club
Teesdale Close
Stirling ACT 2611
http://www.laborclub.com.au/weston-creek-labor-club/
Map
View Larger Map
Known locally as the Bowlo (it has three lawn bowls greens), the Club was a popular venue for the first game of the 2014 NAB Challenge between Collingwood and Geelong.
The Cats won the game, but Pies' supporters at the Bowlo won the banter.
First prize went to the wit who noted the vertical stripes of Collingwood and the horizontal colours of Geelong.
"Collingwood at least has the good sense to lay lengthways on the road when having a kip, thereby limiting themselves as targets for traffic," he said.
The Bugle recommends the Weston Creek Labor Club for AFL fans wishing to watch games on Fox Footy, and notes the Stirling Aussie Rules Oval is 100 metres away.
The Club is spacious and comfortable, with excellent bar and food service, and has a well-deserved reputation for its 'community feel'.
Match and TV Guide
The 2014 NAB Challenge will see 18 matches played consecutively in 18 days, with every club to play two matches in preparation for the season ahead:
http://www.afl.com.au/fixture/nab-challenge
2014 NAB Challenge Fox Footy Broadcast Guide:
http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/nab-challenge-broadcast-guide
Collingwood's next NAB Challenge game is against Richmond at Wangaratta, 4:40PM, Saturday, February 22.
Club Details
The Weston Creek Labor Club
Teesdale Close
Stirling ACT 2611
http://www.laborclub.com.au/weston-creek-labor-club/
Map
View Larger Map
Thursday, February 13, 2014
2014 NAB Challenge Round 1: Geelong 104 Collingwood 102
GEELONG 0.5.3.33 0.8.6.54 0.11.7.73 0.16.8.104
Note: Collingwood (Beams) scored one supergoal worth nine points in Q3
SCORERS - Collingwood: Beams (1.0.1), White (0.5.0), Kennedy (0.2.1), Sidebottom (0.1.3), Lynch (0.1.2), Cloke (0.1.1), Adams (0.1.0), Lumumba (0.1.0), Pendlebury (0.1.0), Elliott (0.0.2), Broomhead (0.0.1), Clarke (0.0.1), Grundy (0.0.1)
BEST - Collingwood: Beams, White, Macaffer, Adams, Kennedy, Sidebottom
INJURIES - Collingwood: Broomhead (hand), Freeman (right hamstring), Young (face), Grundy (head)
SUBSTITUTES - Collingwood: Jarryd Blair replaced Nathan Brown (knee) in the second quarter
REPORTS: Nil
OFFICIAL CROWD: 12,140 at Kardinia
| THE MEDIA | ||
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Collingwood youngsters Tim Broomhead and Nathan Freeman will spend up to a month on the sidelines after suffering injuries in the Magpies' two-point NAB Challenge loss to Geelong on Wednesday night. Broomhead broke a bone in his hand, while Freeman – the club's first-round draft pick from 2013 – injured his hamstring. "We'll see how they go, but they'll be missing three to four (weeks) each, probably," Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said after the game. Broomhead had a wretched run in his debut season in 2013, battling glandular fever and the youngster was one of the standouts on the training track for the Pies during the pre-season. Freeman had also impressed the Magpies coaching staff with his speed and dedication to his training, with the injury a blow to the club's midfield depth. Pies wingman Clinton Young also copped a knock to the face and was bleeding profusely, but Buckley allayed fears about any serious injury. "He got a smack in the mouth. Obviously not as bad as the Geelong boy (George Burbury). I think he had a lacerated (area) inside his cheek, but he should be right." Brodie Grundy also spent some time on the interchange bench in the first quarter, after leaving the ground dazed by a significant head knock. However the Pies' No.1 ruckman returned to the game later on and Buckley said he was fine. New Recruits While pleased with his defensive structures, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley had special praise for new recruit Jesse White, who booted five goals in his debut for the club. "I thought he played his role really well. Clearly, five goals is a good return. His running patterns were strong and some of his contests to halve some aerial balls, when he was outnumbered to create opportunities for ground-level players, was excellent," he said. Fellow recruit Taylor Adams was also prolific through the midfield, gathering 31 possessions in an impressive first-up display. "He's (Adams) always in the contest. Tonight ended up being one of those games where if you can get extra numbers to the contest, you had the upper hand," Buckley said. "Taylor worked his way through the game as a consistent presence for us. He would have liked to have finished a couple of his chances, but the energy he gave was consistent." Points of Interest
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Football in February invariably coughs up the uncommon or hitherto unseen. In the first quarter on Wednesday night, Corey Enright fumbled, Steve Johnson shanked a lookaway across-the-body trick shot straight along the ground, and Heritier Lumumba kicked a goal for Collingwood. At least there's a good chance the latter will be repeated when the serious business begins, especially if the Magpie who made his name as Harry O'Brien the half-back continues to be stationed further up the ground. The other oddities in the first game of 2014 are for rusty players and keen coaches to rectify. Geelong won the night by two points, for what it's worth in a competition that has finally owned up to practice-match status. Conveniently, the contest was at its best at the death, the Cats kicking four in a row to regain the lead of a game that seemed lost, Jesse White putting the Magpies back in front with his fifth goal, before Jordan Schroder screwed home his second with a minute on the clock. The roar from the locals as the siren sounded with the ball sailing into Collingwood's forward line once more betrayed that no matter the time of year or label on the occasion, a win is a win. Trend-spotters seeking something meaningful might have identified new director of umpiring Wayne Campbell as an early eye-catcher, with only 27 free kicks paid for the game. A more forgiving approach to contact in marking contests was evident, not least in White's last goal after marking behind a sprawling Harry Taylor. High on a club's pre-season game wishlist is escaping injury-free, and both were denied. For the Pies, pacy draftee Nathan Freeman pinged a hamstring and Tim Broomhead hurt a hand, which kept the extended bench of six and two subs busy. But it was George Burbury's sickening injury that served as a reminder that football is a fierce contact sport. Having impressed up forward, Burbury copped a knee to the face as he slid into a marking contest and left the ground in an ambulance with a suspected broken jaw. Several officials spent the half-time break searching the turf at full-forward for his teeth, but Cats coach Chris Scott said after the game they were all still in Burbury's mouth. Scott confirmed the youngster will have surgery but that the injury was not as bad as first feared. Another Geelong youngster, Jesse Stringer, only lasted a few minutes before being subbed out. The Cats were more composed early, Burbury opening the scoring and Johnson, Travis Varcoe, James Kelly and Mitch Duncan all taking advantage of an opponent that seemed uncertain in defence. Brodie Grundy's 20-minute absence after a heavy knock was noteworthy, as Dawson Simpson dined out on Quinten Lynch and White in the ruck. The Magpies fielded a team more in keeping with the calendar, with former Swans White and Tony Armstrong and ex-Giant Taylor Adams joined by draftees Tom Langdon, Jonathon Marsh and Freeman. Jackson Ramsay and Broomhead fleshed out a group yet to appear in black and white stripes in a meaningful game. White kicked five goals, although it was hard to draw a line on his potential worth as a foil to Travis Cloke as he took only one mark and Cloke rarely got near the ball. Ramsay showed some nice run, but Adams was the standout, the former Geelong Falcon relishing a return to an old stomping ground with a 31-possession game noteworthy for his work in the clinches. Returning from long-term injuries, Clinton Young and Lachie Keeffe would have been happy just to get through.
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Tuesday, February 11, 2014
2014 NAB Challenge Round 1 Preview: Collingwood v Geelong
Collingwood News
Collingwood will travel to Simonds Stadium for its second practice match at the venue in as many years when it takes on Geelong in the opening match of the 2014 NAB Challenge.
Squads
Collingwood: 1. Alex Fasolo 3. Brent Macaffer 4. Brodie Grundy 5. Nick Maxwell 7. Ben Kennedy 8. Heritier Lumumba 9. Marty Clarke 10. Scott Pendlebury 12. Luke Ball 13. Taylor Adams 14. Clinton Young 17. Dayne Beams 18. Jesse White 19. Jamie Elliott 21. Quinten Lynch 22. Steele Sidebottom 23. Lachlan Keeffe 25. Ben Hudson 26. Marley Williams 27. Tony Armstrong 29. Tim Broomhead 31. Jackson Ramsay 32. Travis Cloke 38. Peter Yagmoor 39. Nathan Freeman 41. Tom Langdon 45. Jack Frost 46. Jonathon Marsh 48. Caolan Mooney
Geelong: 1. Mitch Brown 2. Billie Smedts 3. Jimmy Bartel 4. Andrew Mackie 5. Travis Varcoe 6. Lincoln McCarthy 7. Harry Taylor 9. James Kelly 12. Jesse Stringer 13. Tom Lonergan 15. Jordan Schroder 16. Dawson Simpson 19. Taylor Hunt 20. Steven Johnson 22. Mitch Duncan 23. Josh Caddy 25. Jared Rivers 26. Tom Hawkins 27. Mathew Stokes 29. Cameron Guthrie 30. Nathan Vardy 31. George Burbury 33. George Horlin-Smith 34. Josh Walker 35. Jarrod Jansen 38. Jackson Sheringham 44. Corey Enright 45. Joel Hamling 46. Mark Blicavs
Missing in action
Collingwood: Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Sam Dwyer, Tyson Goldsack, Patrick Karnezis, Adam Oxley, Ben Reid, Paul Seedsman, Ben Sinclair, Dane Swan, Josh Thomas, Alan Toovey, Jarrod Witts
Geelong: Allen Christensen, Shane Kersten, Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Menzel, Steven Motlop, Jordan Murdoch, Joel Selwood
New faces
Collingwood: Taylor Adams (20, Greater Western Sydney), Tony Armstrong (24, Sydney), Tim Broomhead (19, Port Adelaide Magpies), Nathan Freeman (18, Sandringham U18), Tom Langdon (19, Sandringham U18), Jonathon Marsh (18, East Fremantle), Jackson Ramsay (19, East Perth), Jesse White (26, Sydney)
Geelong: Jarrad Jansen (18, East Fremantle)
New numbers
Collingwood: Brodie Grundy (has moved from No. 35 to No. 4), Ben Kennedy (No. 27 to No. 7), Taylor Adams (No. 13), Jesse White (No. 18), Marley Williams (No. 46 to No. 26), Tony Armstrong (No. 27), Nathan Freeman (No. 39), Tom Langdon (No. 41), Jonathon Marsh (No. 46)
Geelong: Jarrad Jansen (No. 35)
Recent pre-season clashes
Practice Match 2013
Collingwood 13.12 (90)
Geelong 20.21 (141)
Goals
Collingwood: Lynch 4, Macaffer 2, Cloke 2, Swan 2, Pendlebury, Beams, Sinclair.
Geelong: Podsiadly 3, Bartel 2, Brown 2 Caddy 2, Christensen 2, Hunt, Duncan, Blivacs, Varcoe, Mackie, Murdoch, Stringer, Selwood, Schroder.
Best
Collingwood: Lynch, Beams, Brown, Pendlebury
Geelong: Caddy, Bartel, Selwood, Motlop, T.Hunt, Varcoe
Collingwood suffered a 51-point loss at the hands of Geelong in its final practice match of the 2013 pre-season at Simonds Stadium just eleven months ago. The Magpies were comprehensively out played in the first half before lifting in the third quarter when they kicked six goals to three. Post-match, coach Nathan Buckley praised the efforts of mature age rookie Sam Dwyer, Heritier Lumumba and Nathan Brown but said that there were few other winners in the Collingwood camp. Scarily, Geelong's run and carry through the middle of the ground was reminiscent of some of its best work in the 2011 Grand Final.
NAB Cup Grand Final 2009
Collingwood 1.6.6 (51)
Geelong 0.18.19 (127)
Crowd: 37,277 at Etihad Stadium
Supergoals
Collingwood: Bryan
Geelong: Nil
Goals
Collingwood: Thomas 2, Clarke, O'Bree, Beams, Cloke
Geelong: Ablett 3, S.Johnson 3, Selwood 2, Chapman 2, Lonergan 2, Stokes 2, Gamble, Varcoe
Best
Collingwood: Cox, Thomas, Lockyer, Pendlebury
Geelong: Selwood, Ablett, Chapman, Taylor, S.Johnson, Bartel
When scores were deadlocked on 23 apiece at the end of a fast-paced opening quarter, the 2009 NAB Cup Grand Final appeared set to become another in a line of epic clashes between the two teams. But all hopes of a meaningful contest were dashed by the Cats who broke the game apart with a six-goal second quarter and outscored the Magpies with 15 goals to four in the final three stanzas. Collingwood was powerless to restrain the competition's most powerful outfit that was still smarting from its Grand Final loss to Hawthorn six months earlier. This pre-season premier was not a flash in the pan – the Cats went on to knock off St Kilda in a thrilling Grand Final on 26 September.
Wizard Cup Semi Final 2003
Collingwood 5.8.0.10 (103)
Geelong 1.8.0.9 (66)
Crowd: 24,728 at Telstra Dome
Supergoals
Collingwood: Buckley 2, Fraser, Woewodin, Didak Geelong: Mooney
Goals
Collingwood: Buckley 2, Lockyer 2, Fraser, Tarrant, Davis, Woewodin Geelong: Ablett 2, Mooney, McCarthy, Riccardi, Kelly, Graham, Chapman
Best
Collingwood: Buckley, Woewodin, Lockyer, Fraser, Didak, Clement
Geelong: Corey, Riccardi, Sanderson, Scarlett
Collingwood won through to its first night series Grand Final since 1980 with a comprehensive 37-point win over Geelong under the Telstra Dome roof. Nathan Buckley was by far the best afield, kicking four goals for the night, two of which registered nine-points, and Shane Woewodin played his best game in his new colours after crossing from Melbourne during the off-season. Unfortunately the Grand Final didn't go to plan, with the Magpies beaten by an Adelaide side buoyed by the inclusion of new recruit Wayne Carey.
Collingwood at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Played: 41
Won: 22
Lost: 19
Drawn: 0
The last time at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Round 15 1999
Collingwood 19.11 (125)
Geelong 19.14 (128)
Crowd: 24,395 at Kardinia Park
Goals
Collingwood: S.Rocca 7, A.Rocca 3, Brown 3, Buckley 2, Freeborn, Tarrant, Richardson, King
Geelong: Snell 4, Houlihan 3, Riccardi 3, Mensch 2, Graham 2, Barnes, King, Corrigan, Stoneham, Burns
Disposals
Collingwood: Buckley 37, King 22, Lockyer 22, Brown 17, Lane 17
Geelong: Arnott 36, Milburn 24, Riccardi, Stoneham 21, Sholl 20
The first clash at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Round 11 1941
Collingwood 14.12 (96)
Geelong 7.16 (58)
Crowd: 7500 at Kardinia Park
Goals
Collingwood: Green 4, Richards 3, Kyne 2, Swenson 2, Williams, Murphy, Unwin
Geelong: Arklay 3, White, Taylor, Heard, Harwood
The last win at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Round 11 1988
Collingwood 16.7 (103)
Geelong 9.10 (64)
Crowd: 35,322 at Kardinia Park
Goals
Collingwood: Wright 4, Taylor 3, Starcevich 3, Barwick 2, Banks 2, Millane, Daicos
Geelong: Ablett 3, Turner 2, Scott, Brownless, Denham, Bairstow
Disposals
Collingwood: Shaw 36, Millane 34, Cloke 30, Brown 29, Daicos 23, Wright 23
Geelong: Bruns 37, Denham 30, Bairstow 28, Bews 27, Troy 27
Did you know that...
Collingwood will be afforded nine days off between its two NAB Challenge matches. The players will hit the training track in the days that follow the match against Geelong before hitting the road and heading to Wangaratta to take on Richmond on 22 February.
| Collingwood v Geelong Wednesday Feb 12, 7.10pm Simonds Stadium Fox Footy 7.00pm Weather: Min 16 Max 31 Chance of rain 30%: 1-5mm Wind: S 18kph Betting: Collingwood $2.45 Geelong $1.53 |
Squads
Collingwood: 1. Alex Fasolo 3. Brent Macaffer 4. Brodie Grundy 5. Nick Maxwell 7. Ben Kennedy 8. Heritier Lumumba 9. Marty Clarke 10. Scott Pendlebury 12. Luke Ball 13. Taylor Adams 14. Clinton Young 17. Dayne Beams 18. Jesse White 19. Jamie Elliott 21. Quinten Lynch 22. Steele Sidebottom 23. Lachlan Keeffe 25. Ben Hudson 26. Marley Williams 27. Tony Armstrong 29. Tim Broomhead 31. Jackson Ramsay 32. Travis Cloke 38. Peter Yagmoor 39. Nathan Freeman 41. Tom Langdon 45. Jack Frost 46. Jonathon Marsh 48. Caolan Mooney
Geelong: 1. Mitch Brown 2. Billie Smedts 3. Jimmy Bartel 4. Andrew Mackie 5. Travis Varcoe 6. Lincoln McCarthy 7. Harry Taylor 9. James Kelly 12. Jesse Stringer 13. Tom Lonergan 15. Jordan Schroder 16. Dawson Simpson 19. Taylor Hunt 20. Steven Johnson 22. Mitch Duncan 23. Josh Caddy 25. Jared Rivers 26. Tom Hawkins 27. Mathew Stokes 29. Cameron Guthrie 30. Nathan Vardy 31. George Burbury 33. George Horlin-Smith 34. Josh Walker 35. Jarrod Jansen 38. Jackson Sheringham 44. Corey Enright 45. Joel Hamling 46. Mark Blicavs
Missing in action
Collingwood: Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Sam Dwyer, Tyson Goldsack, Patrick Karnezis, Adam Oxley, Ben Reid, Paul Seedsman, Ben Sinclair, Dane Swan, Josh Thomas, Alan Toovey, Jarrod Witts
Geelong: Allen Christensen, Shane Kersten, Hamish McIntosh, Daniel Menzel, Steven Motlop, Jordan Murdoch, Joel Selwood
New faces
Collingwood: Taylor Adams (20, Greater Western Sydney), Tony Armstrong (24, Sydney), Tim Broomhead (19, Port Adelaide Magpies), Nathan Freeman (18, Sandringham U18), Tom Langdon (19, Sandringham U18), Jonathon Marsh (18, East Fremantle), Jackson Ramsay (19, East Perth), Jesse White (26, Sydney)
Geelong: Jarrad Jansen (18, East Fremantle)
New numbers
Collingwood: Brodie Grundy (has moved from No. 35 to No. 4), Ben Kennedy (No. 27 to No. 7), Taylor Adams (No. 13), Jesse White (No. 18), Marley Williams (No. 46 to No. 26), Tony Armstrong (No. 27), Nathan Freeman (No. 39), Tom Langdon (No. 41), Jonathon Marsh (No. 46)
Geelong: Jarrad Jansen (No. 35)
Recent pre-season clashes
Practice Match 2013
Collingwood 13.12 (90)
Geelong 20.21 (141)
Goals
Collingwood: Lynch 4, Macaffer 2, Cloke 2, Swan 2, Pendlebury, Beams, Sinclair.
Geelong: Podsiadly 3, Bartel 2, Brown 2 Caddy 2, Christensen 2, Hunt, Duncan, Blivacs, Varcoe, Mackie, Murdoch, Stringer, Selwood, Schroder.
Best
Collingwood: Lynch, Beams, Brown, Pendlebury
Geelong: Caddy, Bartel, Selwood, Motlop, T.Hunt, Varcoe
Collingwood suffered a 51-point loss at the hands of Geelong in its final practice match of the 2013 pre-season at Simonds Stadium just eleven months ago. The Magpies were comprehensively out played in the first half before lifting in the third quarter when they kicked six goals to three. Post-match, coach Nathan Buckley praised the efforts of mature age rookie Sam Dwyer, Heritier Lumumba and Nathan Brown but said that there were few other winners in the Collingwood camp. Scarily, Geelong's run and carry through the middle of the ground was reminiscent of some of its best work in the 2011 Grand Final.
NAB Cup Grand Final 2009
Collingwood 1.6.6 (51)
Geelong 0.18.19 (127)
Crowd: 37,277 at Etihad Stadium
Supergoals
Collingwood: Bryan
Geelong: Nil
Goals
Collingwood: Thomas 2, Clarke, O'Bree, Beams, Cloke
Geelong: Ablett 3, S.Johnson 3, Selwood 2, Chapman 2, Lonergan 2, Stokes 2, Gamble, Varcoe
Best
Collingwood: Cox, Thomas, Lockyer, Pendlebury
Geelong: Selwood, Ablett, Chapman, Taylor, S.Johnson, Bartel
When scores were deadlocked on 23 apiece at the end of a fast-paced opening quarter, the 2009 NAB Cup Grand Final appeared set to become another in a line of epic clashes between the two teams. But all hopes of a meaningful contest were dashed by the Cats who broke the game apart with a six-goal second quarter and outscored the Magpies with 15 goals to four in the final three stanzas. Collingwood was powerless to restrain the competition's most powerful outfit that was still smarting from its Grand Final loss to Hawthorn six months earlier. This pre-season premier was not a flash in the pan – the Cats went on to knock off St Kilda in a thrilling Grand Final on 26 September.
Wizard Cup Semi Final 2003
Collingwood 5.8.0.10 (103)
Geelong 1.8.0.9 (66)
Crowd: 24,728 at Telstra Dome
Supergoals
Collingwood: Buckley 2, Fraser, Woewodin, Didak Geelong: Mooney
Goals
Collingwood: Buckley 2, Lockyer 2, Fraser, Tarrant, Davis, Woewodin Geelong: Ablett 2, Mooney, McCarthy, Riccardi, Kelly, Graham, Chapman
Best
Collingwood: Buckley, Woewodin, Lockyer, Fraser, Didak, Clement
Geelong: Corey, Riccardi, Sanderson, Scarlett
Collingwood won through to its first night series Grand Final since 1980 with a comprehensive 37-point win over Geelong under the Telstra Dome roof. Nathan Buckley was by far the best afield, kicking four goals for the night, two of which registered nine-points, and Shane Woewodin played his best game in his new colours after crossing from Melbourne during the off-season. Unfortunately the Grand Final didn't go to plan, with the Magpies beaten by an Adelaide side buoyed by the inclusion of new recruit Wayne Carey.
Collingwood at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Played: 41
Won: 22
Lost: 19
Drawn: 0
The last time at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Round 15 1999
Collingwood 19.11 (125)
Geelong 19.14 (128)
Crowd: 24,395 at Kardinia Park
Goals
Collingwood: S.Rocca 7, A.Rocca 3, Brown 3, Buckley 2, Freeborn, Tarrant, Richardson, King
Geelong: Snell 4, Houlihan 3, Riccardi 3, Mensch 2, Graham 2, Barnes, King, Corrigan, Stoneham, Burns
Disposals
Collingwood: Buckley 37, King 22, Lockyer 22, Brown 17, Lane 17
Geelong: Arnott 36, Milburn 24, Riccardi, Stoneham 21, Sholl 20
The first clash at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Round 11 1941
Collingwood 14.12 (96)
Geelong 7.16 (58)
Crowd: 7500 at Kardinia Park
Goals
Collingwood: Green 4, Richards 3, Kyne 2, Swenson 2, Williams, Murphy, Unwin
Geelong: Arklay 3, White, Taylor, Heard, Harwood
The last win at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium)
Round 11 1988
Collingwood 16.7 (103)
Geelong 9.10 (64)
Crowd: 35,322 at Kardinia Park
Goals
Collingwood: Wright 4, Taylor 3, Starcevich 3, Barwick 2, Banks 2, Millane, Daicos
Geelong: Ablett 3, Turner 2, Scott, Brownless, Denham, Bairstow
Disposals
Collingwood: Shaw 36, Millane 34, Cloke 30, Brown 29, Daicos 23, Wright 23
Geelong: Bruns 37, Denham 30, Bairstow 28, Bews 27, Troy 27
Did you know that...
- Collingwood won 11 of its first 14 matches at Kardinia Park? The golden run began in the first match at the venue back in 1941 and continued until round 18, 1959. Geelong then won 12 of the next 17 meetings between the two sides at the ground.
- Darren Millane played his final game of league football at Kardinia Park? There was plenty at stake when the two sides ran out onto Kardinia Park in round 24, 1991, with Collingwood needing a win to secure a finals berth less than 12 months after winning the 1990 premiership. The Pies started well but ran out of steam in the second half with the Cats nearly doubling Collingwood's score to run out 41-point winners. Tragically, Millane (who gathered 17 possessions and kicked two behinds in the loss) was killed in a car accident only five weeks later.
- Kardinia Park has had four separate sponsors since 1998? The ground was known as Shell Stadium from 1998-2001, Skilled Stadium from 2002-2011 and Simonds Stadium since the start of last year. Its fourth name was Baytec Stadium, albeit for only two months in 2002.
- Collingwood's VFL team has played several matches at the ground in recent years? Since 2008, the VFL Magpies have won three of their six games at Kardinia Park.
Collingwood will be afforded nine days off between its two NAB Challenge matches. The players will hit the training track in the days that follow the match against Geelong before hitting the road and heading to Wangaratta to take on Richmond on 22 February.
2014 NAB Challenge Round 1: Collingwood v Geelong
Collingwood News
Collingwood's band of new recruits will be in the spotlight when they line up to face Geelong in the opening clash of the NAB Challenge at Simonds Stadium on Wednesday night.
Midfielder Taylor Adams, defender Tony Armstrong, forward Jesse White and draftees Nathan Freeman, Tom Langdon and Jonathon Marsh have been named in a 26 man squad poised to tackle the Cats as the sides usher the arrival of the 2014 pre-season campaign.
The off-season arrivals will be joined by two further fresh additions to the senior team, with Tim Broomhead and Jackson Ramsay poised to feature in a competitive AFL fixture for the first time since being drafted in 2012.
Having rejuvenated its list with an influx of exciting, emerging talent during the trade and draft periods late last year, the team named to take on Geelong represents the changing face of the Collingwood, with the club entering the campaign boasting the sixth youngest, yet seventh most experienced list in the AFL.
That figure bodes well for the future as Collingwood seeks to extend the longest active finals streak in the AFL, which currently stands at eight consecutive appearances.
Although the team named to face Geelong will undoubtedly provide a portent of what lies on the horizon in the seasons to come, the strength of the side named, in spite of the absence of a host of established stars, highlights the significant reserves of on-field talent accrued at the Westpac Centre.
Indeed, a combination of injury and squad rotation has conspired to see senior team regulars Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Sam Dwyer, Ben Reid, Paul Seedsman, Dane Swan, Josh Thomas and Alan Toovey unavailable for selection.
Collingwood v Geelong
Weather:Wednesday Feb 12, 7.10pm Simonds Stadium Fox Footy 7.00pm Min 16 Max 31 Chance of rain 30%: 1-5mm Wind: S 18kph Betting: Collingwood $2.45 Geelong $1.53 |
Midfielder Taylor Adams, defender Tony Armstrong, forward Jesse White and draftees Nathan Freeman, Tom Langdon and Jonathon Marsh have been named in a 26 man squad poised to tackle the Cats as the sides usher the arrival of the 2014 pre-season campaign.
The off-season arrivals will be joined by two further fresh additions to the senior team, with Tim Broomhead and Jackson Ramsay poised to feature in a competitive AFL fixture for the first time since being drafted in 2012.
Having rejuvenated its list with an influx of exciting, emerging talent during the trade and draft periods late last year, the team named to take on Geelong represents the changing face of the Collingwood, with the club entering the campaign boasting the sixth youngest, yet seventh most experienced list in the AFL.
That figure bodes well for the future as Collingwood seeks to extend the longest active finals streak in the AFL, which currently stands at eight consecutive appearances.
Although the team named to face Geelong will undoubtedly provide a portent of what lies on the horizon in the seasons to come, the strength of the side named, in spite of the absence of a host of established stars, highlights the significant reserves of on-field talent accrued at the Westpac Centre.
Indeed, a combination of injury and squad rotation has conspired to see senior team regulars Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Sam Dwyer, Ben Reid, Paul Seedsman, Dane Swan, Josh Thomas and Alan Toovey unavailable for selection.
| The Team | |
| 1. Alex Fasolo 3. Brent Macaffer 4. Brodie Grundy 5. Nick Maxwell 7. Ben Kennedy 8. Heritier Lumumba 9. Marty Clarke 10. Scott Pendlebury 12. Luke Ball 13. Taylor Adams 14. Clinton Young 17. Dayne Beams 18. Jesse White 19. Jamie Elliott 21. Quinten Lynch | 22. Steele Sidebottom 23. Lachlan Keeffe 25. Ben Hudson 26. Marley Williams 27. Tony Armstrong 29. Tim Broomhead 31. Jackson Ramsay 32. Travis Cloke 38. Peter Yagmoor 39. Nathan Freeman 41. Tom Langdon 45. Jack Frost 46. Jonathon Marsh 48. Caolan Mooney |
| New Faces | |
13. Taylor Adams
A big-bodied midfielder who landed at Collingwood as part of the deal that saw Heath Shaw become a Giant. Was drafted at No. 13 in the 2011 National Draft and has already impressed with his attitude and love of winning the contested ball. | 
18. Jesse White
After a strong finish to the season with Sydney, White crossed to the Westpac Centre after being identified by the Magpies as a man who can give Travis Cloke and Quinten Lynch a helping hand up forward as well as assisting young ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts when the time comes. |
27. Tony Armstrong
Now at his third club, Armstrong, a hard running defender with nice foot skills, will be looking to stake an early claim for a spot in Collingwood's back six come round one. | 
29. Tim Broomhead
Put in some eye-catching showings for Collingwood's VFL side to the point where he was named as a senior emergency midway through last season. Glandular fever derailed his 2013 pre-season but the No. 20 selection in the 2012 National Draft is set to make an early impact in his second year on the list. |
31. Jackson Ramsay
A professional and dedicated West Australian who was the second youngest player in the league last season. Was hampered by injury early in 2013 but came home with a rush, impressing with his discipline and attack on the ball at half back. | 
39. Nathan Freeman
With his pace and endurance, it's easy to see why he was the 10th selection in last November's National Draft. Has been impressive on the training track in his first months as a Magpie and in time could end up at half back or on the wing. |
41. Tom Langdon
Has prior experience in playing senior football, having spent time as a top-up player for VFL club Sandringham last season. A rangy utility who appears best suited to playing in defence, Langdon was one of the most prolific players in last Saturday's intra-club practice match. | 
46. Jonathon Marsh
His highlights package excited recruiters and supporters last November. From fend offs to long runs that ended in goals, it had it all. Marsh, an explosively quick West Australian who stands 193cm, became a Magpie with the 77th selection in last year's National Draft. |
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Preseason Competition TV
| Wednesday, February 12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Geelong v Collingwood | Kardinia | 7:10PM EDT | Fox Footy |
| Saturday, February 22 | |||
| Collingwood v Richmond | Wangaratta | 4:40PM EDT | Fox Footy |
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Swan and 'Harry' Sign New Contracts
SUPERFOOTY
DANE Swan has pledged to finish his career with Collingwood after signing a new deal that will take him through to the end of the 2016 season.
In a week in which the Magpies announced Scott Pendlebury as their new captain, the club will publicly announce Swan's two-year extension at tomorrow's Family Day.
Swan's new deal means he will be wearing the black and white jumper until he is at least 32.
The contract negotiations stretch back to late last year with much speculation in the months since about when the new deal would be completed.
It has all been sorted now and will officially be announced to the club faithful at the Westpac Centre tomorrow.
The Brownlow medallist, who turns 30 on February 25, had originally planned to walk away from the game at the end of this year, saying in 2012 that he had no intention of playing well into his 30s.
But Swan's continued outstanding form and his desire to achieve more success with the Magpies brought about a change of heart.
Swan made his feelings clear at last year's Copeland Trophy when he said he never intended playing elsewhere, despite the loss of some of his best mates.
At the time, Swan said he wanted to be "a Pie for life", saying not even the departures of Dale Thomas and Alan Didak could impact on those feelings.
Swan said that night: "It's a great footy club to be involved with, I love the footy club.
"I certainly don't plan on playing anywhere else - ever. I'll be a Pie for life."
Swan said recently he wanted to have the contract finalised before the start of the home-and-away season.
The prolific midfielder sits right up there among the list of Collingwood greats, having won three Copeland trophies - only Nathan Buckley (six), Len Thompson (five) and Bob Rose) have won more - as well as the 2011 Brownlow Medal and five successive All Australian selections.
The durable Swan had a wrist reconstruction after the Magpies' 2013 season ended, saying he is looking forward to greater strength in both hands this year.
He has played 219 games for Collingwood since his 2003 debut. Only 22 other Magpies have played more games than the decorated midfielder.
Meanwhile, wingman Heritier Lumumba is the latest Magpie to re-sign with the club.
Lumumba's decision to re-commit was made public at the Magpies' family day at the Westpac Centre.
Lumumba's career was at the crossroads last year following a private-turned-public spat with Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
The enigmatic wingman formerly known as Harry O'Brien took time away from the club mid-season to clear his mind.
He returned to play out the season including Collingwood's shock elimination final loss to Port Adelaide.
Lumumba, like Swan a premiership player and All-Australian in 2010, is in his 10th season at the Westpac Centre. He won the Jack Regan Trophy last year for a fifth place finish in the Copeland Trophy count.
The 27 year-old reinvented himself as a wingman in 2013 after spending much of his career as a member of the Collingwood back six.
He has played 178 matches and kicked 25 goals.
In a week in which the Magpies announced Scott Pendlebury as their new captain, the club will publicly announce Swan's two-year extension at tomorrow's Family Day.
Swan's new deal means he will be wearing the black and white jumper until he is at least 32.
The contract negotiations stretch back to late last year with much speculation in the months since about when the new deal would be completed.
It has all been sorted now and will officially be announced to the club faithful at the Westpac Centre tomorrow.
The Brownlow medallist, who turns 30 on February 25, had originally planned to walk away from the game at the end of this year, saying in 2012 that he had no intention of playing well into his 30s.
But Swan's continued outstanding form and his desire to achieve more success with the Magpies brought about a change of heart.
Swan made his feelings clear at last year's Copeland Trophy when he said he never intended playing elsewhere, despite the loss of some of his best mates.
At the time, Swan said he wanted to be "a Pie for life", saying not even the departures of Dale Thomas and Alan Didak could impact on those feelings.
Swan said that night: "It's a great footy club to be involved with, I love the footy club.
"I certainly don't plan on playing anywhere else - ever. I'll be a Pie for life."
Swan said recently he wanted to have the contract finalised before the start of the home-and-away season.
The prolific midfielder sits right up there among the list of Collingwood greats, having won three Copeland trophies - only Nathan Buckley (six), Len Thompson (five) and Bob Rose) have won more - as well as the 2011 Brownlow Medal and five successive All Australian selections.
The durable Swan had a wrist reconstruction after the Magpies' 2013 season ended, saying he is looking forward to greater strength in both hands this year.
He has played 219 games for Collingwood since his 2003 debut. Only 22 other Magpies have played more games than the decorated midfielder.
Lumumba's decision to re-commit was made public at the Magpies' family day at the Westpac Centre.
Lumumba's career was at the crossroads last year following a private-turned-public spat with Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
The enigmatic wingman formerly known as Harry O'Brien took time away from the club mid-season to clear his mind.
He returned to play out the season including Collingwood's shock elimination final loss to Port Adelaide.
Lumumba, like Swan a premiership player and All-Australian in 2010, is in his 10th season at the Westpac Centre. He won the Jack Regan Trophy last year for a fifth place finish in the Copeland Trophy count.
The 27 year-old reinvented himself as a wingman in 2013 after spending much of his career as a member of the Collingwood back six.
He has played 178 matches and kicked 25 goals.
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