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