Collingwood and Hawthorn took “significant steps forward” despite losing in Round 3, according to David King.
The Magpies and Hawks lost narrowly to Geelong and Carlton respectively over the weekend, but showed encouraging signs under rookie coaches Craig McRae and Sam Mitchell.
“Even though they both lost on the weekend, in my eyes, they look significant steps forward. To be able to play with such power,” King said on SEN’s Whateley.
“They’re going to be a tough challenge for any team this year.”
King is a “massive believer” in what Collingwood are doing under first-year coach McRae.
Despite giving up a 37-point lead to lose to the Cats on Saturday night, King can see the Magpies having a successful campaign.
“I’m a massive fan of Collingwood and I said last night on First Crack that I think they’re playing finals this year,” he added.
“Not just because of the way they play, but the way they all get involved – it’s infectious, their thirst to play the game. You see the energy they’re playing with.
“Now it’s unsustainable for that to hold at that level all year, and they’ll find other ways to slow the game down, it’s really easy to bring in a couple of tactics to take two minutes off the clock, or a minute here and a minute there.
“He doesn’t want to do that Craig McRae because they’ve been there – they’re bored with that. They don’t want to play that brand.
“Sometimes to have the players wanting more and wanting to play this aggressive brand of footy is half the battle.
“I’m a massive believer in what Collingwood are doing.”
Collingwood (2-1) host West Coast (0-3) at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, while Hawthorn (2-1) meet St Kilda (2-1) at the MCG on Sunday.