2016 AFL preview: Collingwood’s best 22

The Roar - Luke Sicari

Scott Pendlebury leads a list stacked with young talent, but it's finals or bust for the Pies this year. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)

The 2016 season looms large for Collingwood, with the club looking to break their three-year finals drought.
The Pies got off to 8-3 starts in 2015 and 2014, before falling away in the second half of the season due to injuries, youth and fatigue. But those excuses are no longer in play for Nathan Buckley’s men.
Collingwood has a list of young talent mixed with experienced leaders, poised to make a serious run at the top eight in 2016.
“I’m sick of hearing age as an excuse for our group,” captain Scott Pendlebury said at the club’s best and fairest night. “We’re a talented young group, yes, but we were in 2010 and we won a flag. So we’ve all got to get better, myself included…
“Everyone sitting out there, you’ve got growth in your game. Let’s turn potential into finals, finals into a flag. We’ve got that in us.”
While a premiership for the Pies in 2016 is unlikely, Pendlebury is right – Collingwood must turn this potential into a finals spot.
CEO Gary Pert has stated previously that Collingwood’s premiership window is 2017-2019, but for that to be achievable, this current squad need finals experience.
The Pies were big players in the free agency and trade period over the off-season, adding prized former Greater Western Sydney Giant Adam Treloar, Melbourne veteran Jeremy Howe and disgruntled Lion James Aish to raise expectations, and set them up for success now – they had to trade away multiple draft picks in order to acquire the talented trio.
Treloar will be a lock for the Round 1 team in 2016, Howe will probably be in the team, while Aish may need to work his through Collingwood’s VFL ranks to break into the team. The Pies are filled with depth in the midfield, and Aish doesn’t necessarily stand out as a player who must get games in order for Collingwood to win; he slots into the middle of the pack and needs to show more commitment than he did at Brisbane to break into Buckley’s team.
As for the rookies Collingwood picked up in the draft – Brayden Sier, Tom Phillips, Rupert Wills and Ben Crocker – they may struggle to see the field during the early stages of 2016. It is possible the rookies will get game time, but when the Pies are at full strength, there is no room for the four youngsters.

Best 22
B: Tom Langdon, Nathan Brown, Jack Frost
HB: Marley Williams, Ben Reid, Alan Toovey
C: Jack Crisp, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jeremy Howe, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan
F: Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams
INT: Travis Varcoe, Levi Greenwood, Tim Broomhead, Brayden Maynard

MVP: Scott Pendlebury
This one isn’t even close – Pendlebury has been a model of consistency throughout his entire career; that didn’t change in 2015 and it won’t in 2016.
Pendlebury captured his fourth club best and fairest award, placing him elite company along with Bob Rose with four Copeland Trophies, trailing only Len Thompson and Nathan Buckley.
Over his last five seasons, Pendlebury has averaged between 28.4 and 29.9 possessions per game – incredible numbers. His silky smooth skills and innate ability to weave in and out of packs is something football fans can only watch in awe, and the Magpie champion is set for another sensational season in 2016.

Future star: Darcy Moore
Son of two-time Brownlow Medalist Peter Moore, Darcy exploded in the second half of 2015. Originally drafted as a forward, Moore showed his versatility by playing in the backline at the beginning of the VFL season, and his aggressiveness in the contests showed he has the skill and ability to play in multiple areas of the field.
A torn hamstring interrupted the 19-year-old’s progression as a defender, and he moved back to the forward line upon his return. In just his second senior game, his five-goal haul against the Western Bulldogs flashed the talent and potential the Pies have on their hands.
Moore oozes excitement and his true passion for the game, along with his impressive skill set, means he will be making Pies fans smile for years to come.

Make or break: Jeremy Howe
Is it unfair to say it is a make-or-break season for a player who has yet to play a game for the club? Maybe, but that is the harsh reality facing Howe, who is hoping a change of scenery can kick-start his career.
Howe was inconsistent over his five-year stint at the Demons, averaging just 14.2 disposals per game in 2015, after averaging 17.1 disposals the season before. While he is known for his high-flying screamers, Howe must find something else in his game to stay in the Magpies squad for the entire season.
Collingwood has plenty of depth and players knocking on the door to take Howe’s spot and if he doesn’t find consistent play, Buckley won’t be hesitant to pull him.

Collingwood 2015 National Draft Selections

Collingwood News

Collingwood 2015 National Draft Selections
Brayden Sier Collingwood have used their first pick in the 2015 National Draft to select midfielder Brayden Sier from the Northern Knights. Name: Brayden Sier Recruited from: Northern Knights Age: 17 Height: 190cm Age: 91kg Position: Midfielder Profile: Sier is a big-bodied midfielder who stands at 190cm and carries a playing weight of 91kg. He is a slightly unknown commodity who played two games for the Northern Knights in 2015. In his pair of appearances he averaged 15 disposals, three tackles and delivered the ball at 80 per cent efficiency. He didn't attend either the national or state combine, but spent the majority of the season playing for his school Marcellin, where he won their best and fairest. He also managed six senior games for Banyule in division three of the Northern Football League. He has good skills, uses the ball efficiently and has matured into a good-sized player. What they said: "Brayden is a late developer who played for Marcellin and won their best and fairest. He has been in our squads as an Under 15, but he was a little bit chubbier and heavier then, and he hadn't grown. He's a big-bodied mid with good vision, good hands, kicks the ball well and is a really good size and shape now. He only played a couple of games but he's created a lot of interest." - Northern Knights talent manager Peter Kennedy. "He came into our side late in the year. That's just where he was development wise. We played him and there was enough there... A number of clubs tested him post season. We've tracked him right through but because of his size and shape and aerobic capacity more than anything... I think he was playing seconds school footy at one point. But he grew significantly across the year and he's just a fine shape of a kid at 190cm and 85kg." - Andrew Shakespeare, Northern Knights coach.	Tom Phillips Collingwood has selected 186cm midfielder Tom Phillips with pick 58 in the 2015 National Draft. Name: Tom Phillips Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Age: 19 Height: 186cm Weight: 75kg What they say: "Tom had a very good year right across the board. Very flexible in terms of where he can play - he played down back, played through the midfield and up forward too. We challenged him throughout the year to balance out numbers with defensive elements of his game, so he was able to match a 40-possession game with a 11, 12, 13-tackle performance. Finished second in our best and fairest, played a game at Port late in the year against Collingwood and was named Port's best player for the day at senior VFL level." - Craig Notman, Oakleigh Chargers talent manager.
Rupert Wills Collingwood has used its 64th selection in the 2015 National Draft to recruit Rupert Wills from the club's VFL affiliate team. In being selected, Wills becomes the first player to graduate from the VFL Magpies to Collingwood's senior list. Name: Rupert Wills Recruited from: Collingwood VFL Age: 22 Height: 191cm Weight: 89kg Position: Midfield/Forward Profile: Wills is already familiar with the Holden Centre after being a member of Collingwood's VFL side in 2014. He averaged 17.2 disposals in six games for the VFL Magpies in 2015, before being sidelined after suffering concussion. Prior to making his VFL debut, Wills established a fine reputation playing for Old Scotch in the VAFA. At 191cm, Wills was a key presence at Old Scotch for two years. After dominating in the reserves for much of 2013, he was rewarded with a place in the senior side and gained invaluable experience during the latter stages of the season. He secured a more regular spot in the side in 2014 and was named in the best in six of his 11 senior games. He is a proven ball-winner and a clearance specialist who finds ease getting first hands on the ball in the contest. What they say "Rupert is a powerful, tall midfielder… He's got really good upside and has some genuine power with the way he plays. He's quite an exciting player." - Collingwood VFL coach Dale Tapping, February 2015 "Rupert Wills has played only six VFL games for Collingwood this year but recruiters sure do talk about him. Tall onballer from Old Scotch." – VFL expert Paul Amy, August 2015	Ben Crocker With its fourth and final National Draft selection (No. 65 overall), Collingwood selected Oakleigh Chargers captain Ben Crocker. Crocker, 18, captained the Chargers to premiership glory against the Eastern Rangers in the TAC Cup. Name: Ben Crocker Recruited from: Oakleigh U18 Age: 18 Height: 185cm Weight: 84kg Position: Midfield/Forward Profile: A high half forward with a great attitude to training. His brother, Sam, was once on St Kilda's list, while he hails from the same Oakleigh Chargers team that once featured Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore. The Collingwood connection continues well beyond his Oakleigh days. He grew up as a passionate Magpie fan and lived next door to Scott Burns growing up. What they say "Crock captained this year and is a real competitor who doesn't like to be beaten. He trains at a very, very high level. He's more of a forward half player at this stage but he has shown at times he can go through the middle. He is good in front of goal, has good set of hands, and I think he played better when he's hitting up the ball rather than trying to wrestle but I think he shapes as one of our best hopes come draft time," – Oakleigh Chargers' talent manager Craig Notman in Inside Football, as compiled by Brett Anderson and Ben Casanelia.

Collingwood continue to fly off the field with multi-million-dollar profits

REAL FOOTY

Despite missing the finals for the past two years Collingwood's financial health remains undented, with the club recording a total profit for this year of almost $3.5 million.
The club's profit was built on an operating profit of almost $1.9 million and the sale of the lease of the Diamond Creek Hotel for $1.6 million.
The impact of the AFL's new equalisation measures and a 12th-place finish - their second year of missing the finals - did not alter Collingwood's robust financial health. After aggressively writing down their assets by more than $2.6 million this year Collingwood will record a net operating profit of $848,076.
The Collingwood result comes after premiers Hawthorn this year announced an operating profit of $3.33 million, with the club recording a profit in excess of $3 million in each of their "threepeat" premiership seasons. The club this year also received a $2 million donation, which was not included in the figures.
Richmond also recorded a profit of $500,000, their 11th consecutive profit, with a record membership just shy of Collingwood's at 71,339.
"In a year in which we spent a further $18 million on the Glasshouse, our brilliant new community and function centre, and tipped almost $1.4 million into the AFL's equalisation pot, we continued to stand on our own two feet," Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said of the club's 15th successive profit.
Collingwood have no debt, despite construction recently being completed on the second stage of their home at the Glasshouse. The federal government contributed $10 million towards the Glasshouse community centre, with Collingwood funding the remainder.
The venue is expected to be a revenue earner for the club in future years.
While still boasting the biggest membership, Collingwood's membership fell about 5000 from 2014 to 76,516 yet still generated revenue of $16 million.
While the club is a wealthy entity, significantly a large contributor to their profit is the fact the Magpies also earned significant income from non-football sources, $2 million in net revenue coming from gaming machines.
Collingwood contributed $1.4 million in equalisation, which included the gate levy and the maximum amount in the soft tax on football spending. Hawthorn, whose total membership was 72,924 this year, paid a similar amount on equalisation ($1,349,000).
Collingwood have assets of $37.9 million. The completion of the Glasshouse will go into next financial year's accounts, consequently softening any operating profits over the next 20 years with significant write downs on the venue.
"The last 10 years has been about building the business model to remain profitable whether we have finished in the finals or not," said chief executive Gary Pert.
Borrowing from the experience of European sporting clubs such as Barcelona, the Magpies have sought to use their profits to keep costs to members as low as possible.
The philosophy is to keep the cost of joining a club as low as possible and thus attract as big a fan base as possible and generate greater income by leveraging the size of the membership base for sponsorship and broadcast rights income.
"We want to keep costs low for our members so the profits we have made have enabled us to freeze our membership prices for the last three years and keep the costs for our members as low as possible," Pert said.
"We consider one of the key reasons that its important to remain profitable is that we can keep costs to members down and that is something we have learned from the bigger European clubs and that is something we see as important in a business sense, but also important because it is in line with our philosophy as being a club for everyone."

2016 Season Draw

Collingwood News

Round 1 Sydney v Collingwood Saturday March 26, 7.25pm ANZ Stadium Collingwood will kick off its 2016 season on Easter Saturday with its first of two trips to Sydney. ANZ Stadium will be the destination and the Swans will be the opponent in the season opener, in the game that will potentially launch the Collingwood careers of Adam Treloar, Jeremy Howe and James Aish. 2015 marked the first time in 13 years in which the Magpies didn’t frequent the stadium famous for hosting the Sydney Olympics. It has historically been a venue of success, with 10 wins coming from 13 total games. After missing out last year, there will no doubt be a sense of confidence in improving the record further.	Round 2 Collingwood v Richmond Friday April 1, 7.50pm MCG The Magpie Army will be made to wait until round two for Collingwood to return to the home of football. A Collingwood blockbuster at the MCG is almost a weekly occasion, and a Friday night clash against Richmond will be no exception. Despite the comfortable surrounds, the Magpies will take a sense of caution into their first home game of the year. Recent memories of a 91-point loss to the Tigers in round 21 last year will be hard to forget.
Round 3 St Kilda v Collingwood Saturday 9 April, 1.45pm MCG Ongoing injuries prevented him from playing a senior game in his two years at Collingwood, but Nathan Freeman no doubt hopes he can make his AFL debut for St Kilda in time for the clash against his old side. While it will be in opposition colours, round three at the MCG may be the first time many of the Magpie Army see Freeman in the flesh after he was drafted at pick No. 10 in the 2013 Draft.	Round 4 Collingwood v Melbourne Sunday 17 April, 3.20pm MCG Melbourne used its second match against Collingwood as a monumental drought-breaker in round 18, 2015. It was the first time in five years that the Magpies and Demons had met twice in a season. But more importantly, it was Melbourne’s first victory over Collingwood since round 11, 2007. Nathan Buckley’s side will be determined take a clean sweep of the Demons in 2016, and it will start when the two sides meet in round four.
Round 5 Collingwood v Essendon Monday 25 April, 3.20pm MCG Outside the Grand Final, ANZAC Day is the single biggest day on the football calendar. And every year Collingwood and Essendon are lucky enough to pencil in a trip to the MCG on ANZAC Day long before the fixture is released. 88,395 people filled the MCG to witness Paul Seedsman’s extraordinary ANZAC medal-winning display in Collingwood’s 20-point victory on Anzac Day in 2015. As the hottest ticket on the home and away calendar, the 2015 crowd could easily be surpassed on a Monday afternoon in 2016.	Round 6 West Coast v Collingwood Sunday 1 May, 2.40pm Domain Stadium A trip to Perth to take on West Coast in round six arguably presents the most challenging task in Collingwood’s 2016 fixture. Not only will the Magpies have to take on the reigning Grand Finalist’s on their own turf, but will also have just six days to have to recover from an emotion-charged ANZAC Day clash. Collingwood have five six-day-breaks scattered through next year’s fixture, however with ANZAC Day falling on a Monday the previous week, this one was unavoidable.
Round 7 Collingwood v Carlton Saturday 7 May, 1.45pm MCG If all goes to plan, Steele Sidebottom will lead the Magpies onto the MCG as he celebrates his 150th AFL game against the Blues in round seven. It’s hard to believe that seven years have passed since Sidebottom debuted as an 18-year-old against St Kilda. While the Saints won’t be invited to this Saturday afternoon celebration at the MCG, there will plenty queuing up to watch Sidebottom show off the classy leader he’s become.	Round 8 Brisbane v Collingwood Saturday 14 May, 7.25pm GABBA Securing the signature of 19-year-old James Aish means the links between Collingwood and Brisbane continue to grow. The South Australian joins Jack Crisp as former Lions playing for the Magpies, while Dayne Beams and Jackson Paine have traded the black and white for maroon, blue and gold. The familiarities don’t end there. Brisbane’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Swann filled the same role at Collingwood from 2000 and remained in the position until current CEO Gary Pert took over in 2007. However all parties will be kept waiting for what could be an emotional meeting at the MCG. Given that Collingwood and Brisbane last met in round one 2015, there will be a long time coming between the two sides locking horns.
Round 9 Collingwood v Geelong Saturday 21 May, 1.45pm MCG Adam Treloar verses Patrick Dangerfield. Yep, it’s happening. Subject to injury, the two big names of the recent trade period will meet in Collingwood and Geelong’s round nine clash at the MCG. For Treloar and Dangerfield, it was all about coming home when both requested trades from GWS and Adelaide respectively. They both landed at their ideal destinations and will headline a mouth-watering Saturday afternoon showdown.	Round 10 Collingwood v Western Bulldogs Sunday 29 May, 3.20pm MCG Who could forget Indigenous Round 2015? With the rain tumbling down on a cold Sunday afternoon, it looked set to be a miserable day for Collingwood as North Melbourne raced ahead to a 39 point lead at half time.  The 22 out on the field in black and white stripes had other ideas. Jamie Elliott led an inspired Magpies outfit which kicked nine goals to nothing in the third term. The game ebbed and flowed until its conclusion, with Elliott kicking a goal in the thirty-second minute to cement a memorable victory. This season the Magpies will don their Indigenous guernsey against the Western Bulldogs, in the first of two home and away season matchups.
Round 11 Collingwood v Port Adelaide Sunday 5 June, 1.10pm MCG Collingwood’s season was on the line when it met Port Adelaide in round 15 this season. A win would keep the Magpies in touch with the top four, whereas a loss would be Collingwood’s third in a row after such a promising start to the year. The latter appeared to be on the agenda as Port kicked five goals to one to open up a 26-point lead at the first break. A gradual fightback ensued, however it ended in vein. With seconds remaining, Jamie Elliott flew for a wet ball in front of goal, but couldn’t pull down the mark that would have given Collingwood a chance to overturn a three-point deficit.	Round 12 Melbourne v Collingwood Monday 13 June, 3.20pm MCG Upon arrival at Collingwood, new recruit Jeremy Howe hinted that the 2016 Queen’s Birthday clash will hold extra meaning as he lines up against his former teammates for the first time. His father, a mad Collingwood supporter, admitted he used to watch the big clash hoping for Jeremy to play well and for Collingwood to win. He can now cheer for his son to play well in a winning side. The match will also be the first time former Pie Ben Kennedy faces his old team.
Round 13 Bye	Round 14 Collingwood v Fremantle Friday 24 June, 7.50pm MCG Fremantle were dethroned in their position of the kings of the West this season, bowing out in a prelim before watching rivals West Coast go one game further and lose the Grand Final to Hawthorn. The Dockers barely fired a shot in October’s trade period and looking like the sleeping giant of the off-season. If anything will wake them, it will be a trip to Melbourne to take on the Magpies at the MCG. It’s a journey that’s worked well for Ross Lyon’s men in the past. In 2014 they beat Collingwood by 70 points in a one-sided Etihad Stadium clash.
Round 15 Carlton v Collingwood Saturday 2 June, 7.25pm MCG As far as sure things go, a fixture with two clashes between arch rivals Collingwood and Carlton is about as close to a certainty as you can get. The Magpies will resume hostilities against the Blues in round 15 as the two sides meet for the second time in the season. Two Carlton-Collingwood games is a well-entrenched routine for those creating the AFL fixture. You have to cast your mind back to 1991 to find the last year the two sides met on just one occasion. To add a little context to that timeframe; in 1991, 20 of Collingwood’s current list weren’t born.	Round 16 Greater Western Sydney v Collingwood Saturday 9 July, 1.40pm Spotless Stadium There’s one man who will no doubt already have this Multicultural Round game pencilled into his calendar. His name? Adam Treloar. Few have made more of an impact on Spotless Stadium in GWS’s foundation years than Treloar. In 79 games he averaged 25.2 disposals, kicked 48 goals and played 18 or more games each season. After months of speculation, Treloar is now a Magpie. His former teammates will no doubt be desperate to give him a less-than-friendly welcome, but it’s hard to imagine the ever-professional 22-year-old being phased by the pressure.
Round 17 Adelaide v Collingwood Saturday 16 July, 7.10pm Adelaide Oval He’s got black and white deep in his blood after a lifetime to barracking for the Pies, but Collingwood will be the enemy for Paul Seedsman when the sides clash in round 17. Seedsman found a new home at West Lakes this trade period after 49 games for the Magpies between 2012 and 2015. He etched his name into the AFL history books this season by winning the Anzac Day Medal thanks to a thrilling 31-possession game against the Bombers in round four. Opportunities became limited as the season progressed and Seedsman ended his Collingwood career in the VFL. However the 23-year-old seems to have a clearly defined role in new Adelaide coach Dom Pyke’s vision for the Crows in 2016. “Seedsman offers the versatility Pyke wants from his players,” Michelangelo Rucci wrote in the Adelaide Advertiser on October 15. “He can be considered for midfield duties, as highlighted in this year’s Anzac Day clash with Essendon.”	Round 18 North Melbourne v Collingwood Friday 22 July, 7.50pm Etihad Stadium North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has a better knowledge of Collingwood than most other senior coaches in the league. Before accepting the job at the Kangaroos, Scott was a development coach at Collingwood. In his time at the club, he worked alongside fellow assistant coach Nathan Buckley and oversaw a number of young, up-and-coming players. Three of these fresh faces were Ben Reid, Nathan Brown and Tyson Goldsack. They are all now 100-gamers and could apply a few of the defensive traits that Scott no doubt passed during his time in black and white.
Round 19 Collingwood v West Coast Eagles Saturday 30 July, 4.35pm MCG When West Coast arrived at the MCG on Grand Final day in 2015, they quickly familiarised themselves with a venue played just one home and away game at during the year. With the likelihood being that the Eagles will once again be playing at the ‘G in September next year, the AFL have given them a clash against Collingwood at the home of football in round 19.	Round 20 Richmond v Collingwood Friday 5 August, 7.50pm MCG If you follow Dane Swan or Dustin Martin closely on social media, you’ll notice that the pair are currently enjoying some time away together in the United States. One discussion that may have arose over the dinner table is who plays better when the two line up against one another. Swan averages 26.8 disposals against the Tigers, while Martin collects 24.3 per game. Swan also comes out advantageous in the win-loss department, having won five of the pairs seven meetings.
Round 21 Western Bulldogs v Collingwood Friday 12 August, 7.50pm Etihad Stadium With one NAB Challenge clash and two home and away season matchups, Collingwood will play the Western Bulldogs more than any other team in 2016. Early media speculation surrounding Nathan Buckley’s young list have predicted the Magpies will be the ‘2016 version of the Bulldogs’. The meaning behind the comparison – an exciting, youthful group of players ready to run opposition of their legs and captivate fans with an exciting brand of football. If these predictions are correct, it’s understandable to see why the AFL were keen on highlighting the clashes between the Magpies and Bulldogs in 2016. Get out your popcorn for this one.	Round 22 Collingwood v Gold Coast Suns Saturday 20 August, 7.25pm Etihad Stadium Last time these two sides met resulted in a party for the Magpies on the Gold Coast as 200-gamer Scott Pendlebury led a 69-point victory. While the Magpies stamped their authority on the Suns’ home turf, the memories don’t get any better at the MCG. Dale Thomas kicked three goals from 32 disposals as Collingwood won by 97 points in the only previous clash between the two sides at the MCG.
Round 23 Hawthorn v Collingwood TBC If the Magpies are readying themselves for a stint in the finals in round 23, they will face the ultimate dress rehearsal in their only clash of the season against Hawthorn. While the AFL will finalise details of round 23 at a later date, the match will no doubt take place at the MCG and will more than likely be witnessed by a bumper crowd. It’s a long time to wait for a clash with the reigning premiers, but it’s one challenge that Nathan Buckley will be no doubt looking forward to.

2016 Preseason Draw

Collingwood News

2016 NAB Challenge Fixture Match 1 Friday, 26 February Geelong Cats vs. Collingwood Simonds Stadium 7:10pm EDT Match 2 Saturday, 5 March North Melbourne vs. Collingwood Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga 4:40pm EDT Match 3 Saturday, 12 March Collingwood vs. Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium 1:10pm EDT

Collingwood will welcome in a new season with a trip down the highway in round one of next year’s NAB Challenge.
The clash against Geelong is one of Collingwood’s three preseason games, with two more against North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs being announced by the AFL on Tuesday.
It will be the Magpies first chance to experience the rejuvenated Simmonds Stadium, and their last since a similar NAB Cup game in February, 2014.
While that clash saw the introduction of Taylor Adams and Jesse White in Collingwood colours, the February 26 game this time around may feature the Collingwood debuts of Adam Treloar, Jeremy Howe and James Aish.
Geelong are also likely to have a series of debutants worthy of making the football world pay attention.
The Cats will be desperate to impress after securing Adelaide superstar Patrick Dangerfield, Carlton’s Lachie Henderson, West Coast’s Scott Selwood and Gold Coast’s Zac Smith in the recent trade period.
While the auditions of new faces will no doubt hold value, the 2016 NAB Challenge will also reveal the development of Collingwood’s existing young list.
The opening match in Geelong will be followed by another road-trip, with the Magpies set to venture to rural New South Wales to play the Kangaroos in Wagga Wagga.
The town most famous for producing North Melbourne great Wayne Carey will host a 4:40pm start on Saturday 5 March.
It marks the second consecutive season that Collingwood have used the NAB Challenge to reach out to its country supporter base after facing Carlton at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo early in 2015.
However as the season quickly approaches, the Magpies will return to familiar territory in their final preseason game.
Saturday 12 March will see Nathan Buckley’s side face their final regular season audition with a clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
All NAB Challenge matches will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.

2015 Trade Period

Collingwood News

2015 Trade Period
IN James Aish (Brisbane) Jeremy Howe (Melbourne) Adam Treloar (Greater Western Sydney)	OUT Nathan Freeman (St Kilda) Ben Kennedy (Melbourne) Paul Seedsman (Adelaide)

10 Things To Know
James Aish 1. The Scharenberg connection Their names were read alongside one another in the 2013 AFL Draft, and now Aish and Matt Scharenberg have been reunited as Collingwood teammates. The South Australian pair are reportedly close friends after playing together for South Australia in the 2012 Under 18 national championships. Despite jostling to be the first South Australian picked in the upcoming AFL draft, Scharenberg had big wraps for Aish, describing him as “in a league of his own”. “He’s a great player and a much better player than me,” the modest Scharenberg told The Advertiser in July 2013. 2. Redleg royalty We’re just getting to know the name Aish, but if you say it in Norwood in South Australia, there’s a very good chance the locals will have heard it a million times before. James’ father Andrew and uncle Michael were stars for the Redlegs in the 1980s. Andrew was a reliable midfielder while Michael is a four-time best-and-fairest winner and a member of the Norwood Team of the Century. Before that it was James’s grandfather Peter who made the Aish name famous in the City of Churches as Norwood’s 1961 Premiership captain. Sixty years later, James and his cousin Jesse completed the trifecta. Jesse played in the Norwood reserves 2011 Grand Final before James won senior premierships with the Redlegs in 2012 and 2013. 3. Bassett has his back Former Adelaide defender Nathan Bassett placed big wraps on Aish long before the South Australian was drafted in 2013. “He is an outstanding decision-maker,” Bassett told The Australian in 2012. “He has that awareness to know what's going on around him. He just doesn't get run down.” As Norwood coach, Bassett quickly backed up his words. He selected the 16-year-old Aish in the Redlegs round one side in 2012, making the midfielder the youngest player to debut in Norwood history. 4. Street full of stars He will now call the Holden Centre home, but Aish has done some travelling in the early years of his football career. Before spending two years at Brisbane, Aish was a member of an AIS group which toured Europe under the leadership of former Swan Michael O’Loughlin. However, remarkably, his childhood home could be the best of the lot. As a teenager, Aish lived in the same street as his Norwood coach Bassett, as well as 2003 Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto. “Roo goes out and has a kick with him every now and again,” Bassett told The Australian in 2012. 5. A numbers game Aish proudly wore the number four during his two-year stint at the Brisbane Lions. However when he arrives at the Holden Centre for pre-season training, he will see that this number is currently occupied by big man Brodie Grundy. Three spaces down in the change rooms is the recently vacated locker of Ben Kennedy. After being selected at pick seven in the 2013 Draft, perhaps the number seven may bear special meaning to Aish when he picks his 2016 jumper number. 6. A recognised Rising Star Aish debuted for Brisbane in round one, 2014, but it wasn’t until his sixth game in which he truly captivated the attention of the football world. A 25-disposal, one-goal performance included eight marks and an impressive 12 contested possessions. It was enough for the then 18-year-old to be awarded a nomination for the 2014 NAB Rising Star award. While Aish wasn’t successful in winning the end-of-season award, he was on hand at the Crown Palladium to share in teammate Lewis Taylor’s success. 7. Why the Roos wanted him Collingwood overcame a late challenge in securing Aish when North Melbourne expressed interest in landing him at Arden Street. It’s easy to see why the Kangaroos were interested. In his three games against North Melbourne, Aish has averaged an impressive 19.67 disposals per game. He only averages a better result against St Kilda, with whom he has met on two occasions. While the midfielder has only kicked eight career goals, three of them have come against North. He kicked two majors in round 15, 2014 and then another in his final game for Brisbane in round 17 this year. 8. The Collingwood-Norwood connection Aish joins a list of Collingwood players who have roots at SANFL powerhouse Norwood. These players include: • Michael Taylor (1981-1984) Collingwood Games: 92 Collingwood Goals: 28 A popular clubman, Taylor later coached the Collingwood Reserves and was appointed assistant coach of the newly formed Adelaide Crows ahead of their first season in 1991. • Craig Kelly (1989-1996) Games: 122 Goals: 43 Known as ‘Ned’, Kelly was strong and tough defender who quickly become a fan favourite during his stay at Victoria Park, highlighted by his key role in the 1990 premiership. • Brett James (1994-1996) Games: 42 Goals: 26 James spent much of his career with the Magpies as a bench-warmer but put in some useful games, kicking three goals in two of his first six senior games in 1994. • Stephen Patterson (1995-2000) Games: 96 Goals: 88 Patterson was a rover who could take a turn on the wing or at half-forward. Speed and endurance were his two greatest assets and he was a handy goal sneak at varioius stages of his career. He ran third in the Copeland Trophy in 1998. • Scott Burns (1995-2008) Games: 264 Goals: 149 Collingwood had to wait two years after they drafted Burns for the determined backman to move to Victoria. While the Magpies drafted seven players ahead of him, Burns turned out to be the best of the batch by a long way. • Steven Pitt (1996) Games: 13 Goals: 14 The strong-marking Pitt came from SA club Norwood and was reasonably impressive in his season with Collingwood. But he opted to return to his career in the South Australian police force. 9. He wants to win Unfortunately for Aish, winning wasn’t much of a habit during his time at the Brisbane Lions. He won just 25 per cent of his 32 games, with eight wins coming at the expense of 24 losses. The win-loss ratio is a stark contrast to the one that Travis Varcoe arrived with at the Pies this time last year. Varcoe won 82.6 per cent of his games at Geelong before bringing his wealth of experience to Collingwood. 10. He’s an AFL multicultural ambassador In 2015, Aish was one of 12 AFL players recognised as Multicultural Ambassador. His role as an ambassador included supporting the development of the AFL Queensland Multicultural strategy and programs including the Queensland All Nations Cup. After the retirement of fellow ambassador Patrick Karnezis, Aish may fill the shoes as a Collingwood representative and continue in his role in 2016 and beyond.	Jeremy Howe 1. His cousin is quite famous Not many families can lay claim to having a Baggy Green cap and an AFL jumper in their treasure trove. The Howe-Wade clan has certainly struck sporting gold. Jeremy Howe, who has joined Collingwood after 100 games for Melbourne, has a cousin who has played Test cricket for Australia. His name? Matthew Wade. The diminutive wicketkeeper, like his cousin, is a product of Tasmania but made the trip to Victoria to chase his sporting dreams. As of October 2015, Wade has played twelve Tests and 53 One Day Internationals for his country. He’s currently captaining Victoria in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup in New South Wales. 2. He’s a high-flyer OK, we probably ALL know this already. But Howe’s roll call of screamers is worth noting. In 100 games, Howe has received 22 nominations for the AFL’s Mark of the Year. He has won the overall award once, against Sydney in 2012, and was nominated twice in the same game for the Dees against the Bulldogs earlier that year. Suddenly Jamie Elliott’s got some high marking competition. 3. The Tasmanian connection Howe is the latest in a long line of distinguished Tasmanians to call Collingwood his football home. Some of the finest include: • John Greening (1968-1972; 1974-1976) Games: 107 Goals: 70 A flamboyant, classy ruck-rover and half-forward from Burnie, Greening had great ball-handling skills and possessed the rare balance that enabled him to take a spectacular mark and race away as soon as he hit the ground. He was a favourite for the 1972 Brownlow Medal, only to be felled against St Kilda mid-way through the season. He returned in 1974 to notch his 100th senior game, but retired two years later. • Graham Wright (1988-1998) Games: 201 Goals: 107 A hard-running wingman who finished one vote behind Tony Liberatore in the 1990 Brownlow Medal, Wright holds a special place in Collingwood folklore as a member of its 14th premiership. • Paul Williams (1991-2000) Games: 189 Goals: 223 Blistering speed, a hefty right boot and evasive skills to match it with the best made Williams one of Collingwood’s best players of the 1990s. He left the club at the end of 2000 and went on to become an All-Australian with Sydney, with whom he helped take out the 2005 premiership. • Doug Barwick (1988-1991) Games: 71 Goals: 90 A highly skilled half forward, Barwick was recruited from East Launceston and after starting out at Fitzroy ended his career as a hero of the 1990 premiership. His two goals against the Dons took his tally to 36 for the season. • James Manson (1985-1992) Games: 120 Goals: 106 A product of North Hobart, Manson was a versatile big man who was an excellent contested mark. He endeared himself to Collingwood supporters with an unconventional and occasionally unreliable kicking action, and went down in Magpie history as a key member of the 1990 premiership. • Craig Davis (1979-1983) Games: 102 Goals: 251 Originally recruited from Launceston, Davis topped Collingwood’s goal kicking with 87 goals in 1979 and with 52 goals in 1980. Short for a full forward, Davis made up for it with extreme courage and superb marking. It’s a shame Howe wasn’t at Collingwood earlier this year when the club played its first match of any kind in Tasmania during the NAB Challenge. Will he get another opportunity before his career is out? 4. New club, new number? Howe wore the No. 38 in each of his 100 senior games for the Demons. Will a new club bring about a change in jumper number? Perhaps it will. Young Magpie Matthew Goodyear is the current owner of the No. 38 jumper. Since Tyson Goldsack wore in during his first two seasons (2007-2008), the number has seen the light of game day just twice when worn by Peter Yagmoor in 2012. In fact, no Collingwood player has worn No. 38 for more than three consecutive years since Stuart Atkin (1979-1983). 5. The Bali connection What is it about Bucks and Bali? Coach Nathan Buckley has a 100 per cent strike rate when it comes to wooing players to the club during his post-season holiday. In 2014, it was Travis Varcoe. This time around, it’s Jeremy Howe. If Howe can produced at a similar level to what Varcoe did this year, we’ll be well pleased. 6. He knows what the real world looks like Drafted at the age of 20, Howe’s path to football’s highest level didn’t just happen overnight. He completed four years of an electrical apprenticeship at home in Tasmania, and still turned up to work less than 24 hours after being drafted to the Dees. “I ended up going to work the next day and my boss was like, 'Congratulations, good to hear. Over the next two weeks we're just going to get as much work as we can while you're still here',” Howe told the Herald Sun’s Eliza Sewell in April 2012. “I said, 'I'll do today, but I've got to spend the weekend packing my stuff. I've got to go on the weekend'.” 7. The boy from Dodges Ferry The man who is now a Magpie began his football life as a Shark. The Dodges Ferry Sharks can proudly claim Jeremy Howe as their own, for it’s where his football journey literally took flight. He later moved on to Hobart, from whom he was drafted to Melbourne with pick No. 33 in the 2010 National Draft. For the record, the Dodges Ferry Football Club was founded in 1978 and wears a red, yellow and black jumper. The club competes in Tasmania’s Southern Football League and represents a town that, according to the 2006 census, has a population of 2,947 people. 8. 100 and out Howe will go down in history as one of just two men to have played exactly 100 senior games for Melbourne. The other, Terry Gleeson, clocked up his ton during the Demons’ golden era between 1953 and 1962. He played in back-to-back premierships against Collingwood in 1955 and 1956, and was a member of his side’s loss to the Magpies in 1958. 9. He’s durable Since debuting midway through 2011 (round 11, 2011, to be precise), Howe has missed just one senior game (in round 20, 2013). 10. We’re glad he’s on our side now Don’t you agree, Fas?
Adam Treloar 1. He has strong Magpie links The Noble Park Football Club has been kind to Collingwood during the past fifty years. It has produced no less than seven players who have gone on to wear the Black and White stripes. Treloar is the latest in a lineage that includes 1990 heroes Shane Morwood and Darren Millane, while former rookie Kyle Martin returned to the Bulls this year after winning back-to-back VFL best-and-fairests for Collingwood. 2. Pendles has already taken a shine to him Picture this: You’re a 19-year-old playing in your fourteenth game for the league’s newest club. Your team is getting belted by the side that featured in the past two Grand Finals and there’s just 8,102 people in the grandstands. But one of the game’s preeminent players is talking to you – coaching you, you could almost say – and taking the time to improve your game. It’s round 18, 2012. The youngster is Adam Treloar and the superstar is Scott Pendlebury. "He was giving me a few tips, telling me where to run," Treloar said of his exchanges with Pendlebury. "I ran there and got the footy, so it was pretty lucky." Treloar told Fox Sports Pendlebury was “the best midfielder in the game”. We think they’ll get on well. 3. He’s already been coached by Bucks Chalk this one up as another win for Nathan Buckley. Treloar’s move means two of the coach’s former Vic Country pupils are now playing under him at Collingwood. Buckley led both Treloar and Taylor Adams while coaching the elite under-16 team in the National Championships in 2009. 4. He’s Rock solid Treloar went weak at the knees when he interviewed professional wrestling hero and actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in 2014. “I just love him,” he gushed to the Greater Western Sydney media team. “I’ve loved him since I was a kid. He’s like my idol - him, Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant. I love him. I would probably cry if I ever met him.” So, Adam, would you like to interview him? “I’m INTERVIEWING him? No I’m not. You’re kidding me, are you? Are you serious? Give me a hug! “Oh my God. What do I say to him? Oh my ... what am I going to say to him? I won’t be able to talk! I’ll just be standing there just looking at him. “Mate, am I excited? Gee! I’d cry if I met him! Oh my God. The Rock! Are you serious? Oh my God. I don’t know what to say. Oh mate, honestly I’ll cry. Seriously, I will cry. I promise you, I’ll cry. Oh man, I love him. I actually love him.” Wonder if we can keep the surprises coming for Adam now he’s on board at the Holden Centre. 5. He’s got a sense of occasion During 2014, AFL 360’s Mark Robinson challenged Treloar to show his affection for his hero Chris Judd by giving the champion a bum tap after the game. Such were the stakes, $100 was put on the line for the cameraman who captured the moment. Treloar didn’t let Robbo down. 6. He might be a future Hall of Famer Don’t blame us, blame Kevin Sheedy. The inaugural coach of the Giants described Treloar as such back in 2013. “‘Hall of Famers, that’s 250-300 games, you’d think that Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel should play those sort of games, and Devon Smith, Stephen Coniglio, so starting to move in that direction.” 7. He has a wardrobe full of NBA jerseys In a video published on the Giants’ website, Treloar was set a task of presenting his entire collection of basketball tops in less than two minutes. He completed the challenge, declaring Oklahoma’s Kevin Durant his favourite player. “I started when I first moved to Sydney in 2011,” Treloar told the Daily Telegraph. “I didn’t really have a hobby outside footy so when I first got here I thought I’d collect jerseys, then I fell in love with basketball and I kept collecting. “By the time I’m an old, old man I’ll have hundreds, maybe thousands.” 8. He had to grow up quickly It’s a long way from Noble Park to Sydney’s western suburbs. Treloar made the move when he was just 17 as a part of the list concessions that gave the Giants access to the best 17-year-olds in the country ahead of the 2011 National Draft. Such was his talent that many scouts believed he would be drafted in the top two of 2011 had he been on the open market. 9. Dermie compares him with Ricciuto “He’s got that bit of animal in him. "He actually reminds me of a quicker version of a young, young Mark Ricciuto. “He's that type of powerhouse kid, but he's quicker." Those quotes are attributed to Dermott Brereton from January 2014. If that doesn’t get you excited… 10. Call him Adssy There’s nothing unusual about his nickname. Treloar’s pocket profile published on the Giants’ website lists ‘Ads’ and ‘Adssy’ as his nicknames. Wonder if his new teammates have something else in mind?

Pendlebury Wins His Fourth Copeland Trophy

Collingwood News

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has declared he is truly black and white, committing to the club for the next five years.
The Collingwood faithful heard the news first, with President Eddie McGuire announcing Pendlebury’s re-signing at the E.W. Copeland Trophy event at Crown this evening.
The 27-year-old put pen to paper to remain at the Holden Centre until at least the end of 2020, extending his career in the black and white stripes to 15 years.
In his first decade at the club, Pendlebury has achieved nearly every AFL accolade on offer, including a premiership, Norm Smith Medal, three E.W. Copeland Trophies, five All Australian selections and two ANZAC Day Medals.
“The direction the club is taking really excites me. We have a solid group of young players who have got a taste of senior footy and we have the right program and people in place to take this group to the next level,” Pendlebury said.
“I’m proud to captain this club and want to be part of what the future holds.”
The 214-gamer leads a group of promising young players who extended their contracts earlier this year, including draftees Jordan De Goey, Brayden Maynard and Darcy Moore, as well Jamie Elliott, Tom Langdon, Jackson Ramsay and Matthew Scharenberg.
“To have an individual of Scott’s character committed to lead this team forward long-term provides a really solid environment for our young players to learn and develop both on and off the field,” Director of Football Neil Balme said.
“Scott’s uncompromising professionalism and commitment has seen him become one of the game’s elite midfielders and we are really pleased our supporters get to see him run out onto the ‘G as a Magpie for a further five years.”

Scott Pendlebury marked his name alongside three of the club’s greatest ever players after winning his fourth E.W. Copeland Trophy in front of 1,500 guests at Crown Palladium tonight.
The captain joined club legend Bob Rose as a four-time winner, with only Hall of Famers Len Thompson (5) and Nathan Buckley (6) taking home the honour on more occasions.
The skilful midfielder polled 169 votes to win his third-consecutive best and fairest, 49 votes clear of Dane Swan (120). Collingwood’s younger players were rewarded for strong years with Jack Crisp (113) and Taylor Adams (103) finishing third and fourth respectively, while Steele Sidebottom polled a remarkable 102 votes to finish fifth despite missing six matches.
The win further etches Pendlebury’s name into Magpie history, the 27-year-old is one of just three Norm Smith medallists, he’s the 46th player to captain the club and a member of Collingwood’s 15th premiership.
A player of great consistency and durability, Pendlebury polled in 19 of a possible 22 matches. He received a count-high 15 votes in the side’s Round 5 win over Carlton where he collected 32 disposals and kicked two goals, and in the nail-biting Round 14 loss to Hawthorn where he amassed a season-high 37 disposals.
The skipper average 29 disposals and five tackles a match, both above his career averages, and topped the side’s stats table is total disposals (635) and total tackles (112).
Season 2015 continued a dominant period for Pendlebury and Swan, with the pair finishing top three in six of the past eight E.W. Copeland Trophy counts. In a positive sign for the future of the club, five of the top ten place getters were aged 25 years or younger with Crisp, Adams, Tom Langdon and Marley Williams recording their highest vote tallies and Sidebottom again featuring heavily in the count.
For the first time in five years, Travis Cloke was surpassed as the club’s leading goal kicker after Jamie Elliott secured the Gordon Coventry Award with 35 goals in 2015.
And in a season where Nathan Buckley unearthed five debutants, Jordan De Goey took home the Harry Collier Trophy as the best first year player. The number five pick in the 2014 National Draft, De Goey played 16 games in his debut season, averaging 14 disposals and earning himself a Rising Star nomination in Round 20. Pendlebury has won the E.W. Copeland Trophy in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

2015 E.W. Copeland Trophy Top Ten
1. Scott Pendlebury, 169 votes (E.W. Copeland Trophy)
2. Dane Swan, 120 (R.T. Rush Trophy)
3. Jack Crisp, 113 (J.J. Joyce Trophy)
4. Taylor Adams, 103 (J.F. McHale Trophy)
5. Steele Sidebottom, 102 (Jack Regan Trophy)
6. Tom Langdon, 93
7. Marley Williams, 93
8. Nathan Brown, 70
9. Travis Cloke, 69
10. Travis Varcoe, 65

Other Awards
Magpie Army Player of the Year
Dane Swan

Darren Millane Perpetual Memorial Trophy (Best Clubman)
Nathan Brown

Harry Collier Trophy (Best First Year Player)
Jordan De Goey

Gavin Brown Award (Leading Desire Indicators)
Jack Crisp

Gordon Coventry Award (Leading Goal Kicker)
Jamie Elliott (35 goals)

Joseph Wren Award (Best VFL Player)
Ben Moloney

Phonse Kyne Award (Services to the Club)
Physiotherapist David Francis

Player Poll 2015: Pendlebury The Copeland Favourite

Collingwood News

Collingwood players believe captain Scott Pendlebury is set to once again hold the Copeland Trophy aloft this year.
Only three players have ever won Collingwood’s best and fairest award four or more times. All of them are club legends – Bob Rose, Len Thompson and Nathan Buckley.
After victories in 2011, 2013 and 2014, Pendlebury appears on track to win his fourth Copeland Trophy at the halfway mark of the season.
He leads the club in handballs and uncontested possessions, while is second to Dane Swan in total disposals, contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s.
68 per cent of Collingwood players stated in Collingwood Media’s 2015 mid-season survey that they believe Pendlebury would be leading the prestigious award after 11 rounds.
The captain has averaged 27.9 disposals in 2015, 4.7 marks and 4.5 tackles in 11 games this year, including standout games against Adelaide in round two, Carlton in round five and Greater Western Sydney in round 11.
However it was Pendlebury’s 200^th game against the Gold Coast that was perhaps his strongest performance of the year.
The 27-year-old celebrated the milestone in style, with 35 disposals and three goals.
15.8 per cent named three-time winner Swan as the mid-season leader, while Jamie Elliott and Jack Frost also received nominations.
The players selected in this year’s survey draw almost direct comparisons to last season’s results. Pendlebury was the standout leader, while Elliott and Frost joined Dayne Beams as other predicted winners.
Elliott has proved a goalkicking sensation once again in 2015.
The 22-year-old has kicked 25 goals in 11 games and is easily on track to surpass his previous best return of 33 goals in 2014.
Down the other end of the ground, Frost has been a model of consistency at full back. While imposing statistics will never be his strong-suit, he has embodied the spirit of the Copeland Trophy as being an award given to “a working man”.
The Copeland Trophy is named after Collingwood secretary from 1895 to 1923, Ernest W. Copeland.
The award can be won by any player to have played a senior game for Collingwood in the most recent season. Despite one player’s nomination, former NBL basketballer Lanard Copeland is not eligible.

Pendlebury’s best in 2015
Round 2 v Adelaide
18 kicks, 5 marks, 14 handballs, 32 disposals, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 0 tackles.
Round 5 v Carlton
17 kicks, 9 marks, 15 handballs, 32 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 0 rebound 50s, 3 tackles, 2 goals.
Round 8 v Gold Coast
19 kicks, 7 marks, 16 handballs, 35 disposals, 2 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 3 tackles, 3 goals.
Round 11 v Greater Western Sydney
14 kicks, 1 mark, 15 handballs, 29 disposals, 10 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 4 tackles, 1 goal.

Most Copeland Trophies won
6 – Nathan Buckley (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003)
5 – Len Thompson (1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1977)
4 – Bob Rose (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953)
3 – Albert Collier (1929, 1934, 1935)
3 – Gavin Brown (1989, 1994, 1997)
3 – Des Fothergill (1937, 1938, 1940)
3 – Phonse Kyne (1946, 1947, 1948)
3 – Dane Swan (2008, 2009, 2010)
3 – Murray Weideman (1957, 1961, 1962)
3 – Scott Pendlebury (2011, 2013, 2014)

2015 Grand Final: Result

2015 Grand Final

For The Record: 2015 Brownlow

Collingwood
Midfielder Dane Swan, the 2011 Brownlow medallist, took the honours for the Magpies with 17 votes and was followed closely by captain Scott Pendlebury on 15 votes. Fellow onballer Steele Sidebottom (nine votes) was the third-highest Magpie despite missing six rounds in the early part of the season with a broken thumb. Midfielder Taylor Adams (eight votes) was ineligible after being suspended for two games. The Pies polled 66 votes in total.

2015 Grand Final

2015 Preliminary Finals: Results

2015 Preliminary Finals

2015 Semi-Finals: Results

Collingwood 2015 Season Review

SUPERFOOTY

SNAPSHOT
Wins: 10
Losses: 12
Draws: 0
Ladder position: 12
%: 106.3
Last year: 11th (down one)

WHAT WENT RIGHT
The Pies got off to another good start, winning eight of its first 11 matches and playing one of the league’s most exciting brands of footy. After losing Dayne Beams to Brisbane during last year’s trade period, Collingwood showed they managed to make the best of a bad situation by picking up Jack Crisp (former Lion) and Jordan De Goey (pick No. 5), who played key roles for the team this season, plus Levi Greenwood (pick No. 25). Travis Varcoe also proved why the Pies were so keen to get him, playing a key role off halfback and at times half forward, with his tackling pressure a highlight. Taylor Adams was a rock in the midfield and Brodie Grundy took another step. Got games into highly-rated youngsters Darcy Moore, Jackson Ramsay, Jonathon Marsh, Brayden Maynard, Matthew Scharenberg and Adam Oxley who all impressed at various stages and didn’t look out of place at senior level.

Dane Swan put an injury-wrecked 2014 behind him and was outstanding for the Pies in 2015.
Picture: Tim Carrafa

WHAT WENT WRONG
Buckley and the Pies hope they won’t have to hear the phrase “honourable loss” much in the future after having their fair share this season against Fremantle, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Western Bulldogs and even Essendon in the final round. Key swingman Ben Reid had another frustrating and injury-ruined year, managing only five games, while injuries to key players Travis Cloke, Jamie Elliott, Steele Sidebottom and Levi Greenwood happened at the worst possible time and meant Buckley never had his best team on the park. Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas also tested positive to a banned drug in the pre-season and threw some of Buckley’s pre-season plans out the window.

SUPERCOACH STUD
Scott Pendlebury enjoyed another fine season, averaging over 116 SuperCoach points per game but it was Dane Swan that provided Collingwood and SuperCoach players with heart-warming moments. With injuries now behind him, Swan got back to some vintage form, averaging over 105 points per game.

SUPERCOACH DUD
Former top 10 draft pick Nathan Freeman was one of the most selected rookies in the pre-season only to not play a senior game courtesy of more hamstring issues. After being one of the most popular picks last year, Steele Sidebottom had an inconsistent season after breaking his thumb in Round 1 and missing six weeks. Dropped $94,900 in value and became a “could go big or could bust” player.

THE LIST
Elite: Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Travis Cloke
Big improvers: Nathan Brown, Taylor Adams, Travis Varcoe, Jack Crisp, Marley Williams
Gone: Clinton Young (delisted), Sam Dwyer (delisted), Tony Armstrong (delisted), Lachlan Keeffe (suspended/delisted), Josh Thomas (suspended/delisted), Michael Manteit (delisted)
Trade bait: Paul Seedsman

WHAT THEY NEED
The Pies are still crying out for a proven key forward to partner Travis Cloke after Jesse White struggled again and found himself dropped between Rounds 18 and 21 and Ben Reid looks better in defence. Buckley’s team was also found out for a lack of midfield depth and experience following the departure of Beams and Heritier Lumumba last year. Too much was left to Pendlebury, Swan and Sidebottom with Greenwood out injured for most of the season. GWS young gun Adam Treloar fits the bill perfectly to add some class to a hard-working engine room and luckily wants to come, now the Pies need to go and get him. Chasing Brisbane’s James Aish who’d also fit the bill.

Adam Treloar has requested a trade to Collingwood. Picture: Getty

PREMIERSHIP CLOCK
About 7.30pm. Despite missing the finals, the Pies are well placed to challenge in the near future with stars like Pendlebury, Cloke and Swan now teaming with genuine young guns in Adams, Crisp, De Goey and Moore among others. Another year of development into those players, plus the likes of Jack Frost and Tom Langdon has Collingwood well placed after just falling short against the top sides this season. Should at the very least push up into finals next year and knock off one or two of the top teams during the season.

BEST AND FAIREST?
Skipper Scott Pendlebury would surely be the favourite to take home another Copeland Trophy from Dane Swan but don’t be surprised if young gun Taylor Adams features heavily in the voting after averaging 27.4 disposals in his 18 games. Full back Nathan Brown was also a consistent performer and one of the league’s most stingiest defenders, while Travis Varcoe should poll well in his first season as a Magpie.

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

2015 Semi-Finals

2015 Finals Week 1: Results

2015 Finals Week 1

Collingwood 2015 Season Review

REAL FOOTY

Finished: 12th Last season: 11th

Players used: 36

Personnel changes
The three key pillars – president Eddie McGuire, chief executive Gary Pert and senior coach Nathan Buckley have remained a solid team for several years now, confident in the list regeneration and changing culture under Buckley despite the fact the club has shifted down, or at best maintained their position, on the ladder every year since parting ways with Mick Malthouse. "Bullish" is the term regularly used by the club and good industry judges in relation to the Pies' premiership charge. Next year is the time to start running back up the ladder. Assistant coach Scott Burns could yet be a candidate for the Essendon, or maybe even Adelaide, senior coaching jobs.

Out the door
The two big names that won't be available next year are Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas, although the club have committed to re-signing the pair for 2017 once they have served their suspensions for consuming performance-enhancing drugs. What happens to Clinton Young? The former Hawk did not play a senior game this year and will be 30 next year.

What went right
The first half of the season. As it turned out, the club's 8-3 start wasn't as good as it appeared, for seven of those wins came against non-finals teams. But it certainly looked impressive at the time, as Buckley's team found itself inside the top four halfway through the year. In a most unpredictable year, the Pies have actually bucked the trend by basically beating all the teams below them and losing to those above them. That in itself is an achievement. The only exceptions (as at round 22) were the surprise loss to Melbourne in round 18 (it is too harsh to put the three-point away loss to Port Adelaide in the same category) and the early win over North Melbourne and late one over Geelong. In reference to the bright start, Buckley concluded midway through the year that it was an "old-school mentality" to tell his players they had not achieved anything. "The fact is, we have achieved something," he said. Presumably, he will still feels the same way.

What went wrong
The second half of the year. The week after Buckley uttered those words, the Pies went on a six-game losing streak – their longest since 2005 – and eventually missed the finals. The 8-3 start turned the corner into a 2-8 finish (as at round 22) and included a stretch that defined the season: close, but not close enough. The Pies lost to premiership contenders Fremantle, Hawthorn, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs in games they were right in. But when it counted most in the last quarter, they "failed to step up to the plate", as Buckley would later surmise. Finding the forward line balance has improved late in the year, but remains a concern given Jesse White wasn't able to perform, and Ben Reid only started playing late.

Shining lights
Dane Swan has rebounded strongly from a down year in 2014, Taylor Adams has taken the "next step" the club hoped he would, while Scott Pendlebury has done what he always does. The Pies knew they were getting more than a "set of steak knives" in Jack Crisp, but he's probably surprised even himself with the level of impact he's had. Travis Varcoe has proved another handy pick-up, while No.5 draft pick Jordan De Goey lived up to his reputation as a ready-made player, contributing most of the season. Speaking of bright futures, how good does Darcy Moore look?

What's required to improve in 2016
One of Reid or Moore needs to step up and spread the load in the forward half, Levi Greenwood should have a greater output next year and we could start to see something from a couple of top 10 draft picks – Matt Scharenberg, provided he stays, and Nathan Freeman, provided he gets fit. Brent Macaffer could also become a factor.

Who'd have believed it
The words "Travis Cloke" and "trade" would come up in the same sentence.

Collingwood 2015 Season Review

AFL - Ben Collins

What worked

• The Pies showed they can challenge the AFL's best teams and probably should have beaten Hawthorn (at the MCG), Fremantle (Domain Stadium) and the Sydney Swans (SCG), but went down by a combined tally of just 28 points.
• Although it dropped off considerably late in the season, Collingwood's defensive pressure and general team defence continued to be a cornerstone of its game. Finished second in the AFL in tackles, averaging 71.9 a game (just 0.1, or four tackles overall, behind Port Adelaide).
• Debutants Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, Matt Scharenberg, Jonathon Marsh and Brayden Maynard provided plenty of cause for optimism, as did the development of ex-Lion Jack Crisp, ruckman Brodie Grundy and former rookies Marley Williams and Adam Oxley.

What failed

• After sitting fourth with an 8-3 record – in the identical position they occupied last year – the Pies won just two of their next 11 games to miss the finals for the second year running.
• Inaccuracy and an inability to gain satisfactory reward for their quality field play cost the Pies dearly in close games, most glaringly in contests with last year's grand finalists, Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans, when they tallied 22.35 to their opponents' 28.20.
• Doping suspensions to big man Lachlan Keeffe and midfielder Josh Thomas robbed the Pies of two players who, at the very least, would have provided welcome relief at various stages.

What we said in the pre-season
We were pretty much spot on, predicting an 11th placing for the Pies as they went through a rebuilding phase.

Overall rating
5.5/10. After 14 rounds – following narrow losses to Hawthorn and Freo – the Pies peaked at about 8.5/10, given the consensus view that they wouldn't figure in the finals. But almost from that moment, they went into freefall.

The coach
When you coach Collingwood, and your name is Nathan Buckley, external pressure is everywhere. So don't expect Buckley to be daunted by the fact that his contract expires at the end of next season. Most gave the Pies Buckley's hope of making the finals this year, so to have them around the top four for two-thirds of the season was some effort. However, late-season losses have many questioning his abilities.

Most Valuable Player
A tie between Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan Hard to split the prolific Pies pair, with skipper Pendlebury producing another high-quality season, despite battling a calf issue and spending more time forward, and Swan overcoming an injury-hampered 2014 to perform superbly. They amassed remarkably similar stats, with Pendlebury perhaps more consistent and Swan enjoying more standout games. Fellow midfielder Taylor Adams deserves an honourable mention.

Surprise packet
Jack Crisp When superstar midfielder Dayne Beams was traded to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for picks No.5 and 25 and Crisp, not even the Pies could have envisaged the impact the former rookie would have in his first season in black and white. After playing 18 games in three seasons with the Lions, the 21-year-old played every game and was a consistent, goalkicking run-with player.

Get excited
Darcy Moore There is always hype around the son of a gun, and in this case, it's entirely justified. Due largely to injury, we had to wait until round 14 to get our first glimpse of Moore, but in just his second game he bagged a game-high five goals in a loss to the Western Bulldogs, and as a forward/ruckman he continued to display smarts and supreme athleticism reminiscent of his father, dual Brownlow medallist Peter Moore.

Disappointment
Levi Greenwood Not through any fault of his own, though. It was extremely disappointing for the Pies that the former Kangaroo missed the bulk of the season with a broken ankle, and his value was best exemplified by his superb run-with efforts on Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and Geelong skipper Joel Selwood in rounds 21 and 22, nullifying both while winning plenty of the ball himself and even kicking goals. Takes inside heat off Pendlebury, Swan and co.

Best win: 17-point win over North Melbourne, round nine, MCG
The Pies recorded their third-biggest second half comeback, coming from 39 points down to win by 17 points. They piled on 10 successive goals and, after being headed again when they conceded four successive majors, kicked the last three goals.

Low point
If a 37-point loss to battling Melbourne in round 18 wasn't rock-bottom, then a 91-point hiding from Richmond three weeks later certainly was. Surrendered 9.0 to nothing in a horror 18-minute patch in the last quarter.

The big questions

• Will they secure a prized midfielder – or perhaps two – in the trade period?
  The Pies are apparently keen on Adelaide superstar Patrick Dangerfield, the Giants' Adam Treloar and the Lions' James Aish. One would be a great result, two amazing, and all three would be the greatest coup of all time.
• Should Ben Reid play forward or back?
  Presuming he remains free of soft-tissue problems, the Pies have the luxury of playing him at either end. He's a good forward but a better defender and adds much-needed class to the back six.
• Can they fill their leadership void?
  After losing more than 3000 games of experience and much leadership over the past three years, the Pies are crying out for young leaders to emerge. Pendlebury and the likes of Nathan Brown and Steele Sidebottom desperately need help.

Season in a song
Free Fallin' – Tom Petty

Who's done?

• Retirements: At 31, Dane Swan is easily the oldest player on the list but looks like he could play on for at least another couple of seasons. However, others might be forced into retirement if delisted and little interest is shown by rival clubs.
• Delistings: The off-contract quartet of Clinton Young, Sam Dwyer, Patrick Karnezis, Tony Armstrong appears certain to be axed, given Young (29) has endured frustration with injury and form, Dwyer (29) is usually overlooked for younger midfield options, Karnezis didn't play at AFL level after round seven despite strong VFL form, and Armstrong made just one appearance this year.
• Trades/free agents: Anzac medallist Paul Seedsman's name has been mentioned as part of a possible trade deal that could land Brisbane Lions youngster James Aish. If the Pies snare Aish and/or Giants midfielder Adam Treloar, Ben Kennedy could decide to seek more opportunities elsewhere, despite being contracted to the end of next year. Top draft pick Matt Scharenberg could ask to be traded back to his native South Australia.

What they need
A viable second key forward and a key defender who can take the game on. The not-so-simple solution would be to clone swingman Reid. In attack, Jesse White hasn't grabbed his opportunity but it seems only a matter of time before Moore makes the role his own while providing handy ruck support. At the other end, Brown and Jack Frost are solid, percentage players but ideally they wouldn't play together because neither is a natural playmaker. Reid needs to go back.

Premiership clock
The Pies are young but any side that boasts been-there-done-that types like Pendlebury, Swan, Travis Cloke and Steele Sidebottom can never be discounted. If their classy kids make big gains simultaneously, they might just prise open the premiership window.

Early call
Looks can be deceiving. The Pies could be anything next year. With a bit more composure and luck, they might well have been anything this year. Another pre-season into this young, talented list could have it primed for a top-eight tilt.