2015 Season Preview

AFL

Collingwood v Brisbane Saturday April 4, 7.20pm Gabba 7mate / Fox Footy 7.15pm Betting: Collingwood $2.25 Brisbane $1.65

Best 22
B: Jack Frost, Nathan Brown, Alan Toovey
HB: Marley Williams, Ben Reid, Tom Langdon
C: Paul Seedsman, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jamie Elliott,Travis Cloke, Alex Fasolo
F: Tyson Goldsack, Corey Gault, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury,Dane Swan
I/C: Travis Varcoe, Ben Kennedy, Levi Greenwood
Sub: Tim Broomhead

Health of the list
Levi Greenwood's broken ankle is a massive blow keeping him sidelined half the season. Getting Ben Reid fit and match-hardened has been a priority this pre-season as his presence would improve the team significantly. .Paul Seedsman is recovering from hip surgery while Clinton Young appears to have ongoing hamstring problems. Nathan Freeman has progressed well after missing last year with soft tissue problems while Lachlan Keeffe had a minor hamstring injury but completed most of the pre-season although the club must wait for him to return to the best 22. Brent Macaffer could return soon after Anzac Day and Matt Scharenberg is ahead of schedule and about three weeks from playing a game. Both have been ruled out of best 22 calculations at this stage

The big questions
Can Collingwood create a forward structure that converts its opportunities?
Travis Cloke needs to get on the move more and this might help midfielders who too often lob the ball on his head making it impossible for the strong contested mark to take grabs. It would also give the defenders and midfielders a get out target when under pressure, and allow Alex Fasolo, Jamie Elliott and Travis Varcoe to work in space. Goldsack is a good pressure forward but only one inside-50 player of that type is needed. Collingwood has the talent but its forward line needs to open up more.
Can the Pies break even in the contested ball and possession count with the opposition and score from stoppages?
This is where the Magpies dropped off in the second half of 2014, putting pressure on the defence and making the forwards fight for the ball from disadvantaged positions. Greenwood's loss is huge so Taylor Adams and Josh Thomas need to step up as inside players. If they can win the ball inside the Magpies might be able to find more space for their runners and improve their kicking efficiency. I suspect the midfield is one short against the best but Nathan Freeman will be in the best 22 by season's end as will Jordan De Goey.
Can the club unearth a star among its talented group of youngsters? 
The Pies are highly likely to find a very good player amongst Brodie Grundy, Jarrod Witts, Nathan Freeman, Matt Scharenberg, Alex Fasolo, Taylor Adams, Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Ben Kennedy and Tim Broomhead. In fact, there should be more than one. Freeman has been impressive since overcoming hamstring problems while De Goey looks at ease. Broomhead is a Steele Sidebottom type while Grundy and Witts will still take time. It is a talented core that will take more than this season to emerge.

Summer standout
Alex Fasolo has had a frustrating two seasons since a foot injury struck him down but he looks set to fire in 2015. He has returned to his natural habitat inside the forward 50 and he is fit and confident. Fasolo's ball use is elite and he likes to find the goals. If he can average a couple of goals a game in 2015, the Magpies will be very pleased.

Sudden impact
Jordan De Goey has impressed with his pre-season and early NAB Challenge form. He looks a natural midfielder who still needs to learn some of the defensive aspects of that role. The No.5 selection in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft will spend more time in the seniors than the VFL.

It's crunch time for…
Clinton Young has not had a chance to show his wares due to soft tissue and foot injuries since arriving at Collingwood via free agency. Once again his pre-season has been interrupted. At his best he has a kick that can change the angles of the game although the effect of his kicking is sometimes overstated. A popular figure at the club, he has added much to the environment but he now needs to perform on the park.

Pivotal match
Round one v the Brisbane Lions is as far ahead as the Magpies can afford to look, given the transition they have gone through in recent seasons. Away from home at the Gabba, against a talented midfield, Collingwood remains an even money chance. If it can defeat the Lions, it will signal it is a worthy finals contender.

The Magpies will have a good year if…
They can harness the depth in the midfield to win around the contest more often than not. Collingwood only has one bona fide star in the midfield in Scott Pendlebury, with Steele Sidebottom and Dane Swan good support acts. However it needs Levi Greenwood to perform and Taylor Adams, Ben Kennedy and Brodie Grundy to take another step forward in their development to compete with the best midfields. Jarryd Blair needs a big year while finding someone to support Travis Cloke remains an open issue with Gault, Jesse White and Jarrod Witts all having similar claims.

AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: 11th

Premiership clock: Buckley's men seem to be slipping onto the wrong side of the clock, with a rebuilding period likely to come.