Collingwood
Formed: 1892
Joined AFL: 1897
Premierships: 14 - 1902, 1903, 1910, 1917, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1936, 1953, 1958, 1990
Last finals appearance: 2007 preliminary final (v Geelong)
2007 at a glance:
After a disappointing finish to home-and-away season and an early finals exit in 2006, the Magpies were widely tipped to fall from grace last year. With a combination of experience and some new youthful talent, that never transpired. Collingwood won 15 of its 25 games and went within a kick of upsetting eventual premier Geelong in the preliminary final.
2008 to date:
The first three weeks of pre-season action brought nothing but heartache for Pies fans – a thrashing by Adelaide in Dubai in the NAB Cup and then follow-up losses to West Coast and Port Adelaide. But Collingwood bounced back to defeat Hawthorn in the final round of the NAB Challenge and continued that form with a 26-point opening round win over Fremantle at the MCG. Challenged by their visitors for three quarters, the Mapgies were far too strong in the last term.
The coach:
At the end of the 2005 campaign, with Collingwood missing the finals for a second straight year, Mick Malthouse occupied something of a hotseat. Flash forward two years and with the Magpies playing some quality football, the dual West Coast premiership coach now looks well entrenched.
Missing in action:
Dour defender Simon Prestigiacomo remains sidelined by a foot problem, while talented but injury-prone forward Sean Rusling suffered yet another shoulder injury against Fremantle on the weekend. Skipper Scott Burns and midfielder Ben Johnson, who has completed a five-game suspension, should both be available for selection.
The gun:
Anthony Rocca might have frustrated Collingwood supporters over the years with his inconsistency, but his recent form has been pretty good. Since a two-match suspension in mid-2007, the big forward has kicked 35 goals from 11 games with four bags of four or more – including six against Fremantle on the weekend. That said, he was goalless versus Geelong in last year’s preliminary final and could kick only one major when the Mapgies were thrashed by the Lions in Round 17.
The bolter:
If media reports are to be believed, Dane Swan was dressed as Spiderman and out celebrating Mad Monday when he placed finished fifth in last year’s Brownlow Medal. Swan’s low profile might have prevented him from getting an invite to football’s night of nights, but opposing sides know exactly who he is. Averaged 24 possessions-per-game in 2007 and started this season with 28 disposals against Fremantle.
Strengths:
The Magpies younger brigade – the likes of Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury and Heath Shaw – play fearless, mature football that belies relative inexperience. Their older counterparts like Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer, Alan Didak, Rocca and Shane Wakelin are battle-hardened and provide considerable leadership. Although lacking a dominant ruckman, Collingwood rated highly in clearances last year and the Lions will have to be at their best around the stoppages.
Weaknesses:
With the retirement of James Clement and the absence of Prestigiacomo through injury, the Pies will likely battle to cover the Lions forward duo of Jonathan Brown and Simon Black. At the other end, Rocca and Cloke – particularly the latter – are prone to bouts of inaccurate kicking. Is former Lion Cameron Wood the genuine ruckman Collingwood has been looking for?
Running hot:
Didak had only 12 possessions versus Freo but kicked three goals...Small forward Paul Medhurst also looked dangerous against his old side, adding five marks and six tackles to his 16 disposals…Chris Egan highlighted his potential with a 21-possesion display in the win over Fremantle.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
