Based on pre-season form and last year’s performances, I have picked Collingwood’s best 18.
Based on last year’s form Travis Cloke, Jesse White, Taylor Adams, Brodie Grundy, Jack Frost, Tyson Goldsack, Alan Toovey, Tom Langdon, Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliot, Scott Pendlebury and Time Broomhead all cemented their spot in the squad.
Patrick Karnezis had a great year in the VFL and was always pushing for an AFL call up, and in the NAB Challenge match against Hawthorn he kicked three goals and had five tackles.
Nathan Freeman had an amazing pre-season and won the younger players two-kilometre time-trial, before coming second in the full-squad two-kilometre time trail to Steele Sidebottom.
Usually I’d rather see Ben Reid than Dane Swan but Reid’s still recovering from an injury and Dane Swan has been in vintage form.
Unfortunately I couldn’t fit Jarrod Witts, or Travis Varcoe. Varcoe is a really great player and you could probably play him off the half back flank instead of Tom Langdon, but it would be unjustified to leave Langdon out after such a great rookie year.
Taylor Adams had a good season last year and has hopefully improved his disposal efficiency to secure his spot as the replacement for Luke Ball. Levi Greenwood came fourth in the North Melbourne Best and Fairest and will hopefully give the same application at Collingwood, acting as a great inside midfielder.
Although missing out on a lot of last year, Alex Fasolo went into the pre-season match against Hawthorn with all guns blazing and his versatility makes him a massive asset.
Broomhead didn’t play many games last year but his disposal efficiency and ability to keep cool, calm and collected in tough situation lands him a spot in this team.
Lachlan Keefe and Jesse White didn’t have particularly good years last year but their height, attack and experience mean that they deserve a second chance and have started in my top 18. White dropped eight kilos during the preseason to help him run faster and go back to his 2013 playing level. Keefe has been playing as a forward during pre-season but I’d rather see him up back to control the taller teams.
Players like Matthew Scharnemberg, Jordan De Goey, Adam Oxely and Darcy Moore will all be pushing for a first-team spot. In our first practice match against Hawthorn, De Goey got 12 disposals and 1 goal.
Someone who unfortunately forgotten last year was Josh Thomas, but against Hawthorn he had 19 disposals, 2 tackles and 1 point.
Jarryd Blair was left out of my squad only because of his height and inconsistency, but when playing well Blair is really good. His replacement in the team is Ben Kennedy – a classy player who can add some depth and ingenuity.
I would also like to see new recruits Jack Crisp, Levi Greenwood, Brandon Maynard, Matthew Goodyear, Travis Varcoe and ‘unwrapped presents’ Nathan Freeman, Matt Scharnemberg and Jonathon Marsh have a good taste in the black and white jumper.
With the depth they have, Collingwood could be a real threat this season. The biggest weakness is injuries and young legs.
Best XVIII
FB: Jack Frost Nathan Brown Alan Toovey
HB: Marley Williams Lachlan Keefe Tom Langdon
M: Paul Seedsman Tim Broomhead Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jamie Elliot Jesse White Alex Fasolo
FF: Dane Swan Travis Cloke Patrick Karnezis
R: Brodie Grundy Scott Pendlebury Levi Greenwood
B: Ben Kennedy Taylor Adams Tyson Goldsack
S: Nathan Freeman
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Old mate summing it up better than anyone possibly could!
Not Jake Kelly's finest moment!
Another milestone for the Magpies champion!
A bit of spice between the Pies veteran and young Don Ben Hobbs!
