In many regards 2014 was a year of poor luck and underachievement for Collingwood. Their first half of the year met and at times exceeded expectations and it seemed that they were destined for finals.
How wrong we were. As it turned out an emotion charged encounter with Adelaide in Round 9 at the Adelaide Oval proved to be the turning point.
Having said that, the first part of the year showed us all that Collingwood still are good enough, at their very best, to be competitive with virtually anyone in the league. Having won eight of their first 11, including a four-game streak and a victory over eventual grand finalists Sydney (even if it was before their best), Collingwood would have expected finals as a bare minimum.
Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliott and Tom Langdon were proving extremely handy developments that the Magpies’ supreme top tier players were hoping to offload some pressure onto. It is those second tier players who were particularly prominent during Collingwood’s good performances are what the Magpie Army have every right to be confident about.
It is now about building consistency among a young team with diminishing veterans. The speed of development of young players and recently drafted, untried players including Darcy Moore, Matthew Scharenberg, Jordan De Goey and Brayden Maynard that will be pivotal.
The next three years will be telling in whether old timers including Scott Pendlebury and Travis Cloke will be a part of their next premiership charge or instead the Magpies will have to wait and their next rise will be led by newcomers Levi Greenwood and Travis Varcoe and the then experienced long list of young talent at the Pies.
With midfield gun Dayne Beams gone, Heritier O’Brien moved on and Nick Maxwell retired, Collingwood has started to show its weaknesses. Should the club be struck with injuries or development takes longer than expected, Collingwood’s depth will be tested. Moreover, in three or so years time, their list will most likely be without veteran Dane Swan, and Pendlebury and Cloke will be reaching the end of their careers.
In 2015, there is every chance that the polar opposites of Collingwood’s best and worse will be seen again as the younger players will face many tests in a long, gruelling season. This may cause inconsistency and impact their finals chances.
However, Collingwood are a successful and creative club who are usually at the forefront of innovation. They are well led by Nathan Buckley and an accomplished team of assistants around him and of course colorful president Eddie McGuire. Even if the Magpies experience a lean few years, there is no doubt that with these people at the helm, Collingwood will return to finals in a big way, but it may take a while.
Patience will be required in 2015, but with the range of young talent and Collingwood’s reputation, we know that they have a plan and the rewards will come.
Prediction: 11th
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