While Collingwood finished second last in 2021, their best 22 doesn’t represent a team that should be lingering at the bottom of the table.
In saying that, the overall squad told a different story, with depth likely the key reason why the Pies dropped so far out of the eight after three years of playing finals.
The fire sale at the end of the 2020 season coupled with a hoard of veterans retiring meant those on the fringes of Collingwood’s best side were now untried kids.
While they’ll be glad younger players and draftees gained some valuable experience, Collingwood’s list doesn’t look like one of those that’ll be happy to throw away another year in exchange for quality draft picks.
Their defence is probably their strong suit, albeit a little thin, with Darcy Moore and Jordan Roughead holding down the key defensive positions. A full season from Jeremy Howe should help while the likes of Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor are constant fixtures.
Trey Ruscoe and Charlie Dean should help provide cover for a third tall or if one of Moore or Roughead goes down, while highly touted draftee Nick Daicos and more minutes off half-back for captain Scott Pendlebury should give the Pies some quality ball use out of defensive 50.
The midfield is an area where the Pies will need to significantly improve if they’re to be competitive. Pendlebury spending more time down back means experienced quartet Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Jack Crisp and Jordan De Goey will shoulder the bulk of the inside work, while recruit Pat Lipinski should find a role in and around the stoppage immediately.
Growth from the likes of Finlay Macrae, Trent Bianco, Caleb Poulter and Reef McInnes would be a big plus for the Pies, while Josh Daicos and Steele Sidebottom should lock down outside roles.
Up forward though is where the Pies’ main concerns lie, with again a lack of key forward depth looking like an area of concern.
Brody Mihocek is tried and tested, and Darcy Cameron showed signs in 2021, but they’ll be relying on former Cats tall Nathan Kreuger to be ready to go come Round 1.
A full season from Jamie Elliott will help resolve some scoring woes, while they’ll hope youngsters Oliver Henry, Ash Johnson, Beau McCreery and Jack Ginnivan continue to come on.
The Pies are a team that can be rock solid defensively, but they’ll probably need a clean run of injuries to both their midfield and forward stocks if they’re to be genuinely competitive in 2022.
They’ll need their ball winners to hit the scoreboard continuously and they’ll probably lose more games than they’ll win if their opposition draws them into a shootout.
Depth is the club’s main issue, but if more youngsters are exposed to the top level in 2022 that could prove fruitful for a finals push in years to come.
Locking in a key forward combination and having some younger midfielders make a name for themselves in 2022 will hold the Pies in good stead going forward under first-year coach Craig McRae.
DEFENDERS
Darcy Moore, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard, Isaac Quaynor, John Noble, Nick Daicos, Trey Ruscoe, Jack Madgen, Nathan Murphy, Charlie Dean, Tom Wilson, Isaac Chugg.
MIDFIELDERS
Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey, Steele Sidebottom, Josh Daicos, Patrick Lipinski, Finlay Macrae, Caleb Poulter, Trent Bianco, Callum Brown, Tyler Brown, Reef McInnes, Arlo Draper, Cooper Murley, Harvey Harrison.
RUCKS
Brodie Grundy, Mason Cox, Aiden Begg.
FORWARDS
Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Darcy Cameron, Oliver Henry, Nathan Kreuger, Beau McCreery, Will Kelly, Ash Johnson, Jack Ginnivan, Liam McMahon.