The Collingwood squad I’d like to see in Round 1

The off-season is a the footy tragic’s nightmare. With no action to watch, we have had to make do with the tiny scraps of footy interest that pop up, complemented of course by a healthy dose of speculation about the coming year.

So with that in mind, I’ve selected the Collingwood starting side that I’d like to see Nathan Buckley choose to run onto the Gabba in April to take on Brisbane in Round 1.

The following selections assume that the players will be fit and healthy and that they are on form. So, for example, I’ve selected Nathan Freeman on the bench in the hope that by Round 1, the selectors think he fits into our best 22, even though at the moment he may not.

That being said, I’ve tried to be realistic. While I would very much like Darcy Moore to start tearing it to shreds from day one, I haven’t selected him because I think it’s unlikely a fresh new recruit will debut so quickly. I’m also not banking on ACL recoverees Brent Macaffer and Matt Scharenberg.

So without further ado, here’s the team.

FB: Toovey, Brown, Langdon
HB: Young, Frost, Williams
C: Greenwood, Swan, Adams
HF: Blair, Cloke, Thomas
FF: Elliot, Witts, Goldsack
Foll: Grundy, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
Int: Reid, Broomhead, Freeman
Sub: Sinclair

I’ll first point out some of the key features, then go into some detail on each line.

Structurally, it’s a fairly tall side, with two genuine ruckmen in Jarrod Witts and Brodie Grundy, along with key positions Travis Cloke, Ben Reid, Nathan Brown and Jack Frost. Tom Langdon and Tyson Goldsack, as medium players who can play tall, complement the others.

Crucially, the line-up puts Dane Swan back in the centre square, with the full expectation that the seasoned champion can return to if not his best form, at least something close. A vital missing ingredient of the Pies’ young list is class, something Swan has in spades – if he can produce it.

And yes, I’ll admit it, my selection of Ben Reid on the bench is a cop-out. Clearly, the 2011 All-Australian is a star at centre half back. But Buckley’s plan to use him forward in 2014 was never really tested, with the swingman sidelined for most of the season. I’d like to see him given a decent run as a genuine second tall forward before pulling the pin on that experiment. For now though, I’ve placed him on the bench.

Medium/tall backmen
Though I’m not as down on Lachie Keefe as many Pies fans, I think it’s clear that Frost passed him in 2014, while Brown’s experience will be very valuable in such a young back six. Langdon should be a lock after a standout first year. Ramsay and Marsh have some way to go yet.

Small backmen
The only genuine lockdown defender on the list, and one of very few remaining veterans, Alan Toovey is a walk-up start. Hopefully the highly-rated Adam Oxley gets a clear run at in in 2015.

Running backmen/midfielders
This was one of the toughest positions to pick. Like many others, Clinton Young’s form dropped away in the latter part of 2014, but I’m backing him to turn it around. His experience, as well as his devastating left boot, will be much relied upon.

Marley Williams has class beyond his years, and is a player I’m expecting big things from in 2015. Off-field issues soured his preparation last year, but people forget how good he was becoming already by late 2013. With a full preseason, he will be ripe to grab his opportunity with both hands.

Paul Seedsman is stiff to miss, as is Ben Sinclair to be handed the green vest. Both have a lot of potential, but need to get some more consistency into their games. Tony Armstrong, while he showed a bit late last year, is I think destined to be a depth player.

The case could be made that this line-up lacks run off half-back, and I would understand that criticism. But the way I see it Steele Sidebottom, Dale Thomas, and even Tim Broomhead could all be rotated through half-back. Sinclair coming on the ground for one of the talls in the third quarter would also help.

Midfielders
Losing the class of Dayne Beams and Luke Ball at the coalface will hurt. A lot. Add to that Macaffer’s knee and the loss of Heritier Lumumba and the Pies’ midfield is bleeding. So it’s crucial they get their remaining A-graders in the middle. Scott Pendlebury, Swan, Sidebottom: that’s the baseline. Throw in Levi Greenwood to add some much needed grunt.

After that, it’s all about youth. Taylor Adams is ready to take the next step, having been in career-best form before his late-season injury. It’s been well documented that his challenge is to assume Luke Ball’s role. They’re big shoes to fill, but he looks up to the task.

Nathan Freeman is somewhat of a speculative selection. He clearly has the talent, the question is whether he can get his body right and up to the standard to play consistent top level footy. For what it’s worth, I think he can and will.

Sam Dwyer was a bit stiff to miss. He brings poise and reliability by foot – something lacking in many others – and certainly could be in the best 22. However, with youth like Freeman, Adams, Ben Kennedy and Jordan De Goey coming through, it remains to be seen whether he will be any more than a depth player moving forward. Jack Crisp is an unknown; let’s see what he can produce.

Small forward/midfielders
Jamie Elliott is fast becoming one of the most dangerous small forwards in the competition, and according to reports will be pushing for more midfield time this year. Broomhead was one of the Pies’ rare highlights in an otherwise lacklustre back half of 2014. He has something to prove and will do everything in his power to make 2015 his breakout year.

Jarryd Blair has been somewhat maligned, but his forward pressure is second only to Goldsack’s; he’s a crucial cog. Thomas has shown with a few standout games that he has huge potential. If he can stay injury free, 2015 may be the year he steps up to assume Beams’ role in the starting 22.

Kennedy and Alex Fasolo are two players I would’ve loved to have selected. Kennedy has natural flair and an ability to take the game on, but is still not at the level of consistency required to make the starting team. I hope I’m wrong on him, because I would love to see him force his way into the side and hold his spot.

Fasolo is a similar story. He has talent, and he has x-factor, but not consistency. The coaches seem to have faith that he can become a potent and damaging running midfielder. But I’m not sure it will happen by Round 1. Travis Varcoe brings premiership experience and great run, but until I see otherwise, I’m not convinced he’s best-22 material.

Medium/tall forwards
This line more or less picks itself. Cloke remains the focal point, Reid – with a clean bill of health – will be a potent second tall. And Goldsack brings pure aggression and tackling power, while also being able to chip in on the scoreboard when needed.

Jesse White plays his best footy as a second ruckman, but with Grundy and Witts in the side, he’s not required. Patrick Karnezis was building strong VFL form before he was injured last year. He should get his chance in 2015, but probably not in Round 1. Corey Gault is not at the level yet.

Ruckmen
The Grundy-Witts duo is a combination that Pies’ fans will be hoping to see tear it up for the next 10 years. Personally I think Grundy will take the number one spot, with his aggression around the ball and his mobility and follow-up work making him a dangerous midfield prospect, while Witts’ clean hands make him the perfect second ruck or third tall forward.

The pair will need time to establish their partnership, so I hope they both play close to all 22 games next year. White is backup, and Cox, if he can get on the park, is a bonus.

So that’s it. Let me know what you think, and bring on season 2015!