Despite playing finals footy for the last eight years and winning the flag in 2010, Collingwood’s forward line has always been weak – until now.
Collingwood is experiencing a rapid change in game plan, culture and personnel, and in the process the club has lost a lot of experience and leadership.
But it has also gained something the club hasn’t enjoyed for a very long time – a forward line worthy of fear.
Most clubs would give their left arm for a 196-centimetre, 108kg power forward like Travis Cloke. The contested marking-beast with a booming, if not always accurate, left boot is the kind of player you can build a forward line around – the only problem is Collingwood never has.
Cloke initially played alongside Anthony Rocca but by then Rocca was already in the twilight of his career and only showing glimpses of his former dominance.
A young upstart named Jack Anthony was a flash in the pan replacement for Rocca. He wasn’t a traditional big forward but he showed some early promise and was accurate in front of the big sticks.
Unfortunately Anthony was never a reliable foil for Cloke and eventually he lost his spot to a promising man-mountain in Chris Dawes.
Collingwood’s premiership forward line consisted of Cloke, Dawes and a part-time ruckman in Leigh Brown. While the trio worked well enough together, it was never a dominant combination.
All three big men were inconsistent in form and accuracy. It could be argued the 2010 premiership was won despite Collingwood’s weak forward structure.
And it has gone from bad to worse since, with Leigh Brown retiring and Chris Dawes traded away after failing to build on his early potential.
In 2013, Collingwood’s replacement for Dawes, Quentin Lynch, proved his best days were behind him and his body just wasn’t up to it.
For years the failings of Collingwood’s big forwards have been covered up by a game plan that was designed to keep the ball tied up in the forward line and a big spread of goal kickers.
Medium-sized forwards like Paul Medhurst and Alan Didak joined crumbers like Leon Davis and midfielders such as Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Dale Thomas to pick up the slack.
Collingwood has always been searching for a dynamic forward structure that can rely on some dominant big men and 2014 might just be the year that delivers.
One of the shining lights for the Pies last year was Ben Reid’s performance up forward. Drafted at pick eight as a top forward prospect in 2006, Reid made his name down back after failing to make an impact in the forward line.
But the All-Australian has matured since then and at the age of 24 he showed last year he has what it takes to dominate in the forward 50.
The recruitment of Jesse White is the perfect final ingredient for the Pies up forward. White has had an inconsistent career but he has just enjoyed his best season to date and he has exactly what Collingwood needs – the ability to play a solid support role up forward and in the ruck.
He also has rare athleticism and agility for his 197-centimetre frame so he won’t be a liability when the ball hits the ground.
The combination of Cloke’s power and Reid’s mobility with White’s height and speed is a scary proposition for any team. It’s hard to think of any backline that has the personnel to manage all three of them.
It looks even more dangerous when you add Collingwood’s small and medium forwards into the mix. Jamie Elliot’s solid hands, Sam Dwyer’s class, Alex Fasolo’s bag of tricks and Ben Kennedy’s speed will be a handful.
For the first time in a long time, Collingwood has a powerful, dynamic and flexible forward structure that can take it up to any team.
Collingwood is certainly in a state of change but rumours of its imminent slide down the ladder may have been greatly overstated.
Cat
Roar Guru
Cloke's accuracy isn't a question mark, it sucks, and that will never change.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
5 goals on debut isn't something to laugh at. Only pre-season but he's looking good.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
Not a bad debut for the big man. Only early yet but signs are good.
Adrian
Guest
Never traded Chris Dawes?? Are you serious....he was a spud. The Pies forward line is much more balanced now than it has been for a long time. Admittedly, White is an unknown factor but his finish to 2013 was highly promising. Buckley has already said that Reid will play forward in 2014. So we have 2 top line performers in Cloke and Reid. Not many teams have that!! Throw White in there and he adds another dimension again. The thing I would like to see is Swanny down forward. He would provide the X factor and could easily become the leading small forward in the league. Our midfield is strong enough to leave Swanny down forward the majority of the time!!
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
Very true.
Simoc
Guest
Are you talking Freo. I'll be able to see the might of Collingwoods forward power in a little over a month. Can't wait!
Tom Dibble
Roar Rookie
Hopefully the addition of White in the forward line will draw defenders away from Cloke. If the opposition can't double-team him, what else can they do? There's no one in the league with the strength and power to stop him. Buckley also holds Reid in high regard as a forward option, as well as Goldsack, so there will always be at least two tall forwards in the 50.
Gecko
Guest
I was feeling upbeat about the Pies in 2014, until you focused on their forward line. Apart from Cloke, it's a very, very unproven forward line, and will probab;y take another year to develop a good sense of system. The Pies in 2014 will be heavily dependent on goals from their top class midfield. Any team that can stop the Pies' midfielders from running forward of the ball (ie. by preventing the game from becoming too open and by putting them in a defensive mindset) should have the Pies on toast.
Michael
Roar Rookie
Agreed! Our backline has been the main problem for at least 2 years now, much more so than our forward line. Remember around 2010-2011? We had what was considered the best back 6 in the comp. We were tight, sharp, and stingy in defense. But through a combination of injury and retirements, our backline has gone downhill from there, to the point that last year it was WAY too easy for teams to score against us. If we can tighten up our leaky backline, I think we have enough talent that the rest will take care of itself.
chocco
Guest
if Cloke could kick acurately, he should have kicked 100 goals in a season a couple of times. Its his glaring weakness, and IMO has cost them some big games, and will cost them again in the future. Collingwood top 4.
Australian Rules
Guest
Yet for all that "destroying", the Pies haven't beaten the Hawks in 2 years.
TomC
Roar Guru
Well, I certainly have misgivings about the GWS forwardline, but that's another story. I also have real doubts about Dawes, Clark and Hogan together up front for Melbourne. Less worried about Sydney's forwardline. Experienced forwards tend to be better at getting into good position without encroaching on each others' space. Don't think Goodes will spend much time deep forward this season.
TomC
Roar Guru
Yeah, that's my worry with White as well. I doubt Buckley would want him to ruck more than 20% of the game, but then he wouldn't want to rely on Grundy with 5 career matches rucking 80%. So can Collingwood go into games with just White as a backup? We might find that White is left out of the side to accommodate someone like Witts or Hudson off the rookie list, and all of a sudden the Pies' forwardline looks much less balanced. But you can definitely see why they believe White to be a calculated risk.
Floreat Pica
Guest
I had felt the same, but am happier with the new look forward line- a more agile White is a better balance with Cloke than Dawes, who was battling a broken thumb throughout 2011 if Im not mistaken, and much the paler without sure hands. White is a much better fit for the club, and given the versatility he and Reed provide we have depth to rest one of those three forwards from time to time through the season.
Mitch
Guest
Cloke destroys Lake, Reid destroys Shoenmakers and White does an okay job with Gibson on him. Suckling, Birchall, Stratton and Burgoyne are all mediam defenders who spend alot of time attacking out of defense and running from the back flank. Not key position players. Gibson however i rate, can play as a key position even though undersized can do a number on alot of power forwards.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
The one thing that we didn't really see from Brodie last year was the capacity to damage the other team in the forward line. If he can step up in front of goals, I agree he will be a revelation.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
I have to admit HB that I worry about Collingwood's backline too. I think we have better small backs than we used to but I'm hoping that Keefe and Frost will both step up.
HB
Guest
To be honest I'm more worried about the back line than the forward line. We don't seem to be able to control the best teams forward lines
SteveOL
Roar Pro
I doubt it. Dawes has solar panels for hands.
The Aficionado
Roar Rookie
Very true!