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
Dom
Guest
I think you guys all miss the point. In 2010 we were the youngest side in the AFL to win a premiership. In 2011 we only lost three games. Since Buckley inherited this team he has a changed our winning ways. We have lost some very talented footballers who Buckley could not control. He has taken us from a top 4 team in space of 3 years to be now a rebuilding team that might be languishing down the bottom. How can you write that he knows what he is doing and he is not disillusioned where this team is at. He got them here that is why he has to sell to us the supporters that we are rebuilding. Collingwood in this period should not be rebuilding but challenging for the premiership. Look at Hawthorn as the perfect example 2008 they win premiership and within next couple of years they start to challenge again. And win back to back flags. They recruit what they need to strength the team. The layers are specific to their needs. Collingwood just try to take anyone hence since Buckley has been there some of the players we have recruited from other clubs are questionable. Name a player he has recruited from another club that has come to us and has performed better than his previous club. I hope to God Buckley proves me wrong this year and the team plays finals but as a supporter if Collingwood finishes out of the 8 again Buckley should not be coaching or Eddie be there as they are the men responsible from bring a successful team challenging for premierships to a team struggling to buy into buckleys style. This evident in the players we lost. It is hard to replace quality that quickly. Collingwood has shot itself in the foot by replacing Malthouse while he had the team playing marvellous football. As jack dyer use to say if ain't broke don't fix it.
Brucey
Guest
Very insightful Tom.. With a lack of top line class due to the fall (for various reasons) of former top 5 players Reid Swan and CLoke we won't beat enough "peer" sides - crows tigers Ess Eagles - to make it I. 2015.. But their top 10 (4) and first round pics (4) will improve quickly Finals in 2016. Too many sides - Ess North Geel Crows Rich - has misread their lists and will fall quickly
Copeland
Guest
Time will tell Bretto; it is interesting to note that other intelligent, objective comments posted by readers of this article, are also predicting the continuing demise of the Magpies during season 2015; maybe it is simply time for you to wake up.
Tom Oliver
Roar Rookie
I'd be very happy if the Pies made the 8 this year but with Beams going I can't really see that happening. Thankfully I think Buckley is under no illusions about where his side is and Collingwood hasn't done a "StKilda" and held on for too long. The Pies are coming but not just yet.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You know, I thought I had seen the funniest vaulting stuff up ever after seeing Rick slam into the horse at 100 MPH. However, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivELL_CMaM8
Josh
Expert
I wouldn't say it was a year of poor luck or underachievement for the Pies. Granted they had some bad injuries towards the end, but I think they achieved about as much as is reasonable given the state of their list. And having lost Beams, I don't see their station improving any next year. Definitely well entrenched into a 'rebuild' phase now which I'd say will keep them out of the eight for the next 2-3 years. That said, I've been wrong before.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
love the name rick disnick
Radelaide
Guest
I have them 10th to 15th depending on injuries.
Tommo Willo
Roar Pro
I think their young list may see them drop off slightly
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think 11th is about right. They're a still decent side at Collingwood at the moment, but I think come the end of the season some of the sides around them, fighting for those 5-8 spots (Richmond, Suns, Adelaide, West Coast, Essendon) are going to have a bit too much class and legs for them. Losing their round one game to Brisbane isn't going to help their cause either.
Bretto
Guest
Copeland, how about you put your money where your mouth is? Happy to take a bet that Collingwood doesn't finish bottom 4. Or are you just one of those sad Collingwood haters? If you don't have something intelligent to say, go back to the Herald Sun comments section.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I think Collingwood will be close to the 8 again this year. A lot of teams will be hunting for that 7th & 8th spot this year, just like last. The competition this year I think is going to be fiercer than last year, which should make for another cracking season.
Copeland
Guest
Collingwood officials were quoted as saying that ‘they needed to elevate the fitness levels of their players this pre-season in a bid to match rival clubs’ Bill Davoren has been retained, despite his abysmal failure as fitness coach, and with new recruit Darcy Moore and Toovey joining the already growing list of injured players, which includes key utility Ben Reid, the Pies look set to finish amongst the bottom four during season 2015. Sadly for Pies supporters, the club will continue to languish until the point at which the clamour to remove their arrogant and incompetent wanabee coach Buckley can no longer be ignored.