Collingwood have been marooned in mid table for the last two years, and with the recent axing of Sam Dwyer, Clinton Young, Tony Armstrong, Michael Manteit along with previous desiltings Lachlan Keefe and Josh Thomas, the Pies are searching for some fresh faces in 2016.
Their list actually has some very fresh talent.
Brayden Maynard is only 18 and has showed plenty of promise in his nine games. Jordan De Goey was pick no. five in last year’s draft and has the potential to become one of the best midfielders going around.
Darcy Moore, at 19 years old, kicked five goals against the Bulldogs, showing he has bright future as a key forward. Jonathon Marsh (19), Tom Langdon (21), Brodie Grundy (21), Jack Crisp (21), Matt Scharenberg (20), Ben Kennedy (21) and Taylor Adams (21) make up a really good young list.
And if Adam Treloar comes from Greater Western Sydney, this will be one of the best young lists in the AFL.
Collingwood were fairly unlucky this year, losing six games by less than two goals – win three of those and they were in finals.
Their backline is strong, with key backmen Nathan Brown and Jack Frost, and good run off the half back with Marley Williams.
The midfield is one of the best in the AFL, with some of the biggest names. Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan top the list, along with young Taylor Adams and maybe even Treloar.
Their ruck stocks are genuine, with the likes of Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts. No need for improvement there.
Their forward line may need some work, with only one main key forward in Travis Cloke. Jesse White looked the likely back-up, but poor form in the year has seen him drop down the ranks in favour of Moore. They need a third tall, much like North Melbourne have, although they have small forwards to get at the feet of the big men.
With the seventh pick in the 2015 national draft, Collingwood look set to pick up Sam Weideman. After Cloke leaves the club that will leave Weideman and Moore forward – potentially a deadly paring in years to come.
Patrick Dangerfield could be another player for Collingwood to pick up, but if they get Treloar that’s unlikely.
Collingwood also have pick no. 24 in the draft and could pick up Tom Cole – a utility who could play back, midfield or across half forward.
The Pies are looking at a few other free agents, including Brisbane Lions star James Aish.
If the Magpies keep their young guns and can pick up some good players in the 2015 draft, they will be a very dangerous team in a couple of years, joining the likes of the Bulldogs and GWS.
Stewie
Guest
I wrote an end of year review for the Magpies for another website, and a key thing I found out was that they only have one player over the age of 30, and that's Dane Swan. And here's some of their players who are 22 or younger and who have played AFL games. Adams, Grundy, Langdon, Crisp, Ramsay, Scharenberg, Marsh, De Goey, Moore, and Maynard. That's an excellent core of young players to build a team around. What to take from it? They are right smack bang in the middle of a rebuild, and most people don't even know it.
Tricky
Guest
Yeah Tom it looks good on paper but you can't compare our list to the dogs or giants or gc as you mentioned, those 3 sides we just won't match come 2 or 3 seasons from now. Sure if our current seniors don't age for the next 3 seasons we'll be looking good ............................ but that's stretching it a bit.
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
Don't quite understand what your point is Tom. Pies first pick will go to GWS for Treloar. Very happy with that one. Disagree about Aish, he might very well turn out to be a gun, but at the moment I'd prefer him go elsewhere. Just for the record both Buckley and Hine have said at different times this year they would be trading picks, rather than being heavily involved in the draft. Bucks said it on AFL360, and Hine in a radio interview on either AFL Trade Radio or SEN.
Cory
Guest
I'm not to sure where you get your team info from but I would certainly find somewhere else. Bulldogs last team stats at 25yo 85 games vs collingwood's last at 23 and 5 months 73. That's only a dozen games more experience from a full season difference in age. But please, do create another reason why they will be mediocre for a long time.
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
Edgar, Geelong are in no mans land at the moment I agree, and Hawks will be too. But Collingwood have so much young talent, I see them and Bulldogs and GWS and maybe GC being in the top 4 in 3 or 4 years. Who else have such a good young list that will overthrow these teams?
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
Tricky, I disagree, they have a great spine of young players - A key forward (Moore), A small forward (Elliot + Blair), A key backman (Marsh and Frost) and really good mids (Treloar and Adams) they also have good ruckman (Grundy) and good back flanks and forward flanks (Crisp, Kennedy, Langdon).
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
They finished 12th, but like I said, they were very unlucky this year, losing six games by less than two goals – if they won three of those they were in finals.
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
Agreed.
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
Collingwood will be involved heavily in the draft, but their picks just wont be that high.
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
Jamie - Treloar will be a great pickup, better than anyone in the draft, and Aish will be a fantastic pick up as well. Would prefer to give up pick 7 for Treloar.
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
Yeah true, the doggies and GWS lists are fantastic, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Collingwood challenging them in the next few years.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
I agree, they are in no mans land which Geelong find themselves in now as well and hawthorn will at the end of next year. The draft is shallow this year and looks to be even shallower next year at this stage.
Tricky
Guest
The dogs and giants lists are younger and more experienced, the pies will be no match for either of these teams come 2 seasons from now and will stay mid tier as their current senior players will be on the wrong side of 30. No window for the Pies and will be stuck in mediocrity for some time to come sadly.
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
Must admit Edgar, haven't had a good look at the draft this year because as I said I don't think Collingwood will be heavily involved. So I will defer to you somewhat as far as who they are likely to go for with later picks, as you have obviously spent a lot of time analysing it. Still don't think Aish will be at Collingwood, and still have some slim hopes for Danger, but Scharenberg re-signing this week makes me a lot less confident than I was a week ago.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
And where did the pies finish again?
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Pies will use their first pick for Treloar or Aish. A player will need to be involved to get Treloar though. I disagree with your statement saying they will have minimal involvement. Their second pick will go to securing Riley Bonner or Aidyn Johnson. Their 3rd round they are desperate to get Dylan Smith and the 4th round they have ear marked for Alex Morgan or James Parsons.
Steve mcglashan
Guest
No Edgar the bulldogs young list is good but I doubt it's twice as good
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
Collingwood will be trading their first few picks for established players. First round selection will go to GWS for Treloar. They will only have minimal involvement in the draft.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
The Western Bulldogs young list is twice as good