Zero Hanger: Collingwood 2020 Season Preview

Zero Hanger - Fraser Stewart

Will this finally be the year the Pies lift the trophy?

AFL 2020 Round 1 COLLINGWOOD v FOOTSCRAY Time & Place: Friday March 20, 7:50pm EDT Docklands TV: 7mate 7:30pm Fox Footy 7:30pm Weather: Min 15 Max 22 Chance of rain: 30% <1mm Wind: W 21kph Betting: Collingwood $1.75 Footscray $2.08

Last season
Just like in 2018, the Pies finished last season in heartbreak, going down to GWS in the preliminary final by under a kick.

Despite the gutwrenching loss, there were plenty of good things to come out of it, such as the Pies winning seven games in a row from rounds 4-10, as well as winning their last four games of the season to earn them fourth place on the ladder.

Off the park though, they suffered. Young gun Jaidyn Stephenson received a lengthy ban for his betting scandal, and multiple key players missed long stretches through injury, such as Jordan De Goey, Tom Langdon, Daniel Wells, Dayne Beams, James Aish, Taylor Adams, Darcy Moore, Mason Cox and Jamie Elliott.

Off Season
In: Tom Wilson (Catergory B rookie selection), Darcy Cameron (Sydney), Jay Rantall (Pick 40, Greater Western Victoria Rebels), Trent Bianco (Pick 45, Oakleigh Chargers), Trey Ruscoe (Pick 55, East Fremantle), Lynden Dunn( Pre-season supplemental selection period)

Out: James Aish (traded), Ben Crocker (delisted), Tyson Goldsack (retired), Sam Murray (delisted), Daniel Wells (retired).

Off-season grade C
The Pies didn’t necessarily go into the trade period with a gun-ho attitude as they only made one change, bringing Darcy Cameron in.

No doubt it is one of the players Nathan Buckley wanted as it covers a hole if Mason Cox or Brodie Grundy gets injured, as they probably needed more experienced players around the par for depth.

Defining period 
The most defining period for the Pies is rounds 2-4 where they face the premiers Richmond at the MCG in what is a Richmond home game. They then face Hawthorn and travel to Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in what will be their only interstate trip until round eight.

Their other defining period is between round 16 -18, where they face the Lions again this time at home, Richmond and Geelong.

They have doubled up on the Lions and Richmond which are two of the most exciting and promising teams of the competition but if the Pies can defeat them twice then their would be a reason to optimistic about 2020.

Champion Data says 
“They really are in the sweet spot to contend, coupled with talent across each part of the ground there is no reason why the Magpies can’t go one step further this season.”

Best 22
B: Jeremy Howe, Jordan Roughead, Tom Langdon
HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Jack Crisp
C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Josh Thomas, Brody Mihocek, Jaidyn Stephenson
F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey
FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams
I/C: Chris Mayne, Travis Varcoe, Callum Brown, Will Hoskin-Elliott

The Pies are as talented as any team on paper. However, Tom Langdon’s future remains clouded, and Adam Treloar and Travis Varcoe won’t be there round one, if it goes ahead. They have ample cover though with guys like John Noble, Isaac Quaynor, Matt Scharenberg, Ben Reid, Josh Daicos, Rupert Wills, Jack Madgen, Brayden Sier.

Strength and Weaknesses 

Brodie Grundy celebrates a goal during the AFL Preliminary Final against Richmond, September 21, 2018. Photo Michael Dodge AFL Media/Getty Images

There is no doubt that the strength of the Pies lie in two areas. Their midfield is one of the best in the competition, with Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams being ball magnets. It also does help when Brodie Grundy’s groundwork is what sets him apart.

Their defence is strong too. They have the right recipe with Jeremy Howe’s intercept marking being key and the revelation of Darcy Moore. Brayden Maynard, Jack Crisp and Jordan Roughead are all rock solid, with Crisp particularly damaging running the other way.

The Pies’ weakness probably lies in their forward line, where they do not have a straight plan and if they chop and change it then they can’t build any consistency. They have players that can change a game and kick bags but they must do it on a consistent basis. Can De Goey become a consistent 50+ goalkicker? Can Mason Cox hit the 40 mark?

Prediction: 4th
After finishing the last two years by a under a kick, the time is ripe for Collingwood to take the next step. There is no doubt that the Pies can go deep into September and even make it back to the big stage. They didn’t make any major changes to the list, which in this case is a good thing, as they have all the tools already and are flourishing under Buckley. Expect them to be back up there again.