Collingwood 2010
Collingwood (updated 23 Mar 2010)
Review (added 27 Jan 2011)
1st (before finals) and 17.5 wins. Analysis was excellent. Most experts had them as finalists but not a serious premiership threat.
Time poor summary
Top 4 finish and chance at a flag looms with the addition of Ball and Jolly.
Likely to enter the 2010 finals series in better shape than 2009. Around 15 – 16 wins and 3rd.
More detailed Analysis
The Pies have recruited the best of all the clubs – especially getting Ball for “nothing” at pick 30 and filling the ruck void with Jolly. Fraser has had to fill the role of first ruck for some years but he is more of a ruck rover type (for those too young – a tall on baller). If this takes the pressure off Fraser and he can play out a full year, a better finals series beckons this year. A fit Pendelbury would also be a bonus. The pain of last year’s generally disappointing finals series should spur them on in 2010. And an injury free Medhurst helps.
There are a few small minuses to consider: injuries to exciting Brad Dick and fill-in ruckman Wood. The draw is slightly harder (having to play the Saints and Cats twice compared to once last year). They also have 2 lots of double 6 day breaks in 2010 and this only occurred once in 2009. Rumours abound about Cloke’s knee. They will need him firing in September to enhance their chances.
Their coaching ranks keep getting raided (a compliment to Mick and the team but also an unwanted disruption). The coaching setup with Nathan Buckley waiting in the wings will be watched with interest. Although Mick and Nathan don’t appear to be a natural team, Buckley as the apprentice should work okay. But the fans may have plenty to say if the team goes through a rough patch and string a few losses together. The club needs to manage such issues, but a top four finish as predicted here should satisfy the members for 2010.
How Magpie fans react to the above words “Chance at a flag”
Primary schoolers: Yes, a flag this year for sure
Secondary school students and young adults: Maybe this is the year!
30 – 60 year olds: How good was 1990! Hopefully, some time soon, we can win another one.
60+ year olds: “Chance at a flag!” Heard it all before. I just want one more flag in my lifetime!!!
Players to buy: Medhurst, O’Brien, Buckley for the bench (Simon Buckley, that is!)
Don’t expect too much from: Davis (for Dream Team and Supercoach). He starred last year and cannot do any better. They may use him more sparingly to nurse him through to September in good shape.
15.5 wins +/- 2 ½ wins and 3rd.
Possible Round 1 team:
Certs
Anthony, John *
Ball, Luke
Cloke, Travis *
Davis, Leon
Didak, Alan
Fraser, Josh
Jolly, Darren
Maxwell, Nick
Medhurst, Paul
O’Brien, Harry
Pendlebury, Scott
Prestigiacomo, Simon
Shaw, Heath
Swan, Dane
* = injuries pre season
Likely
Beams, Dayne
Brown, Leigh
Goldsack, Tyson (virus, test)
Johnson, Ben
Lockyer, Tarkyn
O’Bree, Shane
Sidebottom, Steele
Thomas, Dale
Fringe
Barham, Jaxson
Brown, Nathan J.
Buckley, Simon
Dawes, Chris
McCarthy, John
Reid, Ben
Rusling, Sean *
Toovey, Alan
* = injuries pre season
Missing Injured
Dick, Brad
Wood, Cameron
See possible R1 team selections at the bottom of this page.
See possible R1 team selections at the bottom of this page.