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.
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