“Why not Collingwood?” Those were the words used by Eddie McGuire at the start of the year when Collingwood were off with a good start and had started to confuse the critics.
This year it seems as if we are watching a different Collingwood.
We seem to be looking at a different side compared to the one that slid down the ladder this time last year. And this time last year we also saw a massive injury toll that destroyed their finals hopes and put pressure on the coaching group.
Yes, although the Pies have come off two straight losses, you have to hand them a lot of respect considering that both were 10 points or under. Furthermore, the Pies won practically every stat in the book, and Fremantle and Hawthorn are two of best sides in the game at the moment.
Before the Hawthorn game, Collingwood was the most accurate side in front of goal in the competition with a conversion rate of 58 per cent. Hawthorn had been the sixth best, with a 50 per cent conversion rate.
Taking into account Friday’s loss, the Pies obviously would’ve slipped from that chart – but that does not say that they haven’t been impressive.
Collingwood’s best 22 is difficult to judge right at this moment as there are new players coming through each week that have performed well and there are also those that are coming back from injuries. However, there are a number of players who have shone this year.
Taylor Adams
Taylor has done what most Pies fans have expected of him this year and has added much needed support to the midfield. He is playing the role that was originally assigned to Luke Ball.
He is adding plenty of pressure and aggregation with his ball use and is forcing turnovers from the opposition. The only fault with Taylor at this moment in time is his kicking, which sadly at times can be wayward and misleading.
This seems to be something that he will need to work on in the long-term but Pies fans must be impressed with the nuggetty midfielder from GWS. He is going to prove a long-term benefit to the pies Premiership hopes.
Marley Williams
Marley has been phenomenal this year. His aggression and bumps are always a marvel to watch as he takes the game on each and every week. Many have speculated that Williams belongs in the All-Australian team and I am beginning to agree.
I used to think that Steele Sidebottom was the most underrated player in the AFL (and still do) but after this year I strongly believe that Marley is up there as well. His work each week is what helps Collingwood win the ball in the backline.
He also adds the cool and collected attitude when carrying and using the ball that would have Pies fans relaxed – just like when watching Scott Pendlebury moving through traffic in the midfield.
Travis Cloke
The reason I put him here is not because of his kicking, but because of the fact that Collingwood is becoming less and less reliant on Cloke to be the pivotal person throughout their forward line structure. They have many more goalkicking options – a masterstroke from Nathan Buckley.
Travis Varcoe
Travis, like Marley, has been an amazing pick-up for the Pies and they must be impressed.
Although he did upset a lot of Pies supporters in the 2011 grand final, I have always valued his input at Geelong and consider him underrated.
This year though we are seeing a different Travis. He is applying pressure and is causing turnovers and is becoming the classy utility the Pies have desperately needed.
It would be no surprise to see his name up there alongside Williams in the top five for the Copeland Trophy at the end of the year.
Jack Crisp
I honestly thought when he was picked up by Collingwood that he would be the type of player that Jordan Russell was, but he has proved me – alongside probably most of the AFL community – wrong.
Crisp has everything Collingwood has needed with their midfield. Collingwood has often recruited players that are below the 180-cm mark. Crisp stands at 191cm and he adds a lot of run, carry and tackling that makes the midfield dominate through the centre. It’s also very entertaining to see Jack run out of the centre and kick the ball from outside the 50 for a goal nearly each week.
What’s to come?
The Pies aren’t necessarily going to win the premiership this year, but they must make the finals and will finish from fourth to seventh on the ladder this year.
This club has already been written off by nearly every footy journalist in the country and may well do it again come finals time. If the Pies apply the same pressure they did against teams like Fremantle and Hawthorn each week, they will guarantee themselves a spot in the eight.
This side is still very young and inexperienced with many having only played under 50 games each, yet they still could have beaten both the Hawks and the Dockers in recent weeks. So although they still lack the polish and precision of those two teams, they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with this year.
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