Whether you love their larrikinism or you think many Collingwood supporters keep Centrelink lines too long, one thing is certain – Collingwood supporters make thi AFL special.
In 2014 they’re confronted with a list has been heavily turned over, with the rat pack dissolved and a new skipper in place. After some changes, Nathan Buckley looks to have his hands firmly on the wheel.
Whether Buckley has the players on side will be of interest. Mick Malthouse was a grey-haired father figure; Buckley seemed like a weird uncle last season.
But what he does have is an army of youth for the future. Jamie Elliott, Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman, Marley Williams (pending), Taylor Adams, Ben Kennedy, Brodie Grundy and Alex Fasolo are all under 22 and about to gain some valuable experience under Uncle Nathan.
They are the 13th-youngest list in the league and the future bodes well for Pies fans, but what about now?
When they won the premiership in 2010, the back six were one of the most recognisably stable defences in the comp. The Malthouse-coached side were the rock of Gibraltar.
Now, their defence seems shaky.
Lachie Keeffe is impressive but hasn’t really proven himself yet. Nathan Brown and Nick Maxwell are great at mitigating opponents but lack offensive punch, while Heritier Lumumba is pushing further up the field.
Heath Shaw and Marley Williams were the club’s leading bouncers last season and their run will be sorely missed from defence.
Can Alan Toovey come back from his knee reconstruction? Will Williams (Buckley’s go-to small defender) play again?
How much will they miss Heath Shaw or will they at all?
The question Collingwood fans need answered is this: If Ben Reid has a heartbeat and is wearing a Collingwood jumper, does he play forward or back?
The forward argument is, he ranked first of any forward in one-on-ones in the competition with multiple goal games. Not only is he dangerous inside 50, he also relieves Travis Cloke and makes them not so one-dimensional going forward.
Down back he will stabilise that shaky defence. Cloning Ben Reid seems unrealistic, although Eddie McGuire has been known to trial the radical.
One man who will be up forward is Jessie White. The Sydney recruit will add a secondary option to Cloke, who will benefit from the former Swan’s presence.
If White blossoms, does Reid stay back? Or can a triple-tall forward line work for the Pies?
One thing this will do is relegate Quentin Lynch to just an insurance policy for injury.
The midfield is elite. In 2013, they had the most disposals of any midfield in the competition and had a plethora of goal kickers.
Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Sam Dwyer and Jarryd Blair all had goals in the double figures by the end of the season.
Add in Dayne Beams, Luke Ball and GWS recruit Taylor Adams, and the cream on the Collingwood midfield looks very sweet.
Brodie Grundy could be anything and he will give the midfielders first use of the ball where they were last in hitouts and 15th in clearances last season.
Looking at the fixture I can only pencil in a handful of wins in the first half of the season and inexperience may see them leave their run too late.
The Magpies have a brutal draw and waiting for the kids to come on may leave too little to too few.
It will definitely only come down to percentage – any missed goal could be crucial.
If Travis Cloke kicks straight, do Collingwood make the 8? Cloke had 119 shots last season and only converted 68 of them, so percentage is vital.
They’ll be in the mix and their future looks bright, but I’m just not sure about this year – the most open season in recent memory.
A lot will be riding on whether Uncle Nathan can turn himself into a father figure and if he does, you know the larrikins will be laughing loudest in the Centrelink lines.
If you’re looking for me I’ll be underground hiding (from Pies fans) for a while…
Lad-View: 9th
Individual Predictions
Best and Fairest: Dane Swan
Goal Kicking Award: Travis Cloke (though I’m not saying that percentage will rise)
In The Hot Seat for 2014: Nick Maxwell, Quentin Lynch
Player You Need to Watch: Ben Kennedy
Things Most Looking Forwad to Seeing in 2014: Collingwood versus Carlton
Novelty Blog Award: Don’t hate me Collingwood fans, I called you special!
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Diplomatically answered, Darcy!
For all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the now-traditional Anzac Day clash at the MCG, there has been one thing conspicuously lacking over…
Old mate summing it up better than anyone possibly could!
