The offseason is a series of articles analysing each team’s list management, trade and free agency targets, and the biggest recruitment decisions to be made as the end of another season approaches. The Bombers and Dockers have been analysed, and now it’s time for the Magpies.
What do they need?
Collingwood look set to be active at the trade and free agency table come October, and they should be targeting key position players at each end.
With Travis Cloke’s imminent departure, the Magpies need another key forward to assist and guide the blossoming young career of Darcy Moore, as well as compliment the athletic and dynamic forwards in Jesse White, Mason Cox, Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliot.
At the other end of the field, with the ageing bodies of Nathan Brown, Ben Reid and Tyson Goldsack, the club needs to secure and build its key defensive line of the future.
Lastly, the team has a few good disposal users in captain Scott Pendlebury, line breakers Steele Sidebottom and Travis Varcoe, but it lacks any potency from the defensive 50. Adding one or two effective ball users should also be a priority.
Biggest uncontracted names
Jarryd Blair (UFA)
Lachlan Keefe (RFA)
Nathan Brown (RFA)
Jesse White – has been offered new contract for 2017
Marley Williams
Jack Frost
Jarrod Witts
Tim Broomhead
Corey Gault
Best signing of the year
There were a sprinkle of contract extensions and re-signings for the club this year – including the likes of Taylor Adams, Adam Oxley, Alex Fasolo and Jack Crisp – but the best signing of the year was vice-captain and restricted free agent, Steele Sidebottom.
The classy midfielder re-signed with the club on a five-year deal, recommitting to the club which won him a premiership as a teenager.
At only 25 years of age, Sidebottom had another wonderful year, averaging 25.7 disposals, 5.4 marks, 4.5 tackles a game, while also adding a goal tally of 17 for the year.
Who won’t be there next year?
Retirements. Collingwood have already waved goodbye to three of their 2010 premiership players, with defender Alan Toovey and midfielders Dane Swan and Brent Macaffer hanging up the boots this year.
Jarrod Witts. Witts was rumoured to be on the move to GWS last summer, and looks set to be at a new club – most likely Brisbane – this year, after registering only two games this season. With the emergence of Brody Grundy, the development of Mason Cox and the trade rumours surrounding Ivan Maric to Collingwood, the future of Witts at the Magpies doesn’t look bright.
Travis Cloke. Cloke has requested a trade and is reportedly open to Collingwood terminating his contract to facilitate his fresh start.
Best find of the year
Josh Smith. The 22-year-old midfielder from Queensland had an outstanding debut season, recording 18 games (including a debut on Anzac Day), and averaging 20.8 disposals, 4.7 marks and 2.7 tackles a game.
Ben Crocker. With the injuries to Jamie Elliot and Alex Fasolo, Crocker was thrust into the senior team and didn’t disappoint over his 10-game debut season in the small-forward role. He kicked ten goals, with his best tally of three coming against the Hawks in Round 23.
Mason Cox. The big American had a memorable debut on Anzac Day and exceeded everyone’s expectations with his marking, game sense and goal kicking. He kicked 17 goals in 11 games and kept Jarrod Witts out of the side with some handy ruck work.
Biggest decision looming
How will they replace Travis Cloke? Restricted free agent and Fremantle forward Chris Mayne looks set to join the Magpies for 2017, but with a reported 4-year deal on the table, are Collingwood panicking?
At 26 years old, Mayne is worth a two-year deal at this stage in his career. The most goals he has kicked in one season is 39, and his output of only 18 goals this year was a disappointment.
So do the Pies develop forward prospects of Corey Gault and Mason Cox, or go to the market to find themselves a forward?
Throw a lifeline to…
Some Kangaroos.
Nick Dal Santo and Brent Harvey have been de-listed, and Collingwood should have a look at both of these players. The Pies are crying out for some on-field leadership in the forward and back pockets, and these two could both play 14-20 games, on one-year deals, with low-risk and low-paying contracts.
Dal Santo would provide class and skill execution off half-back, as well as being able to guide young defenders in Marley Williams, Brayden Maynard and Matthew Scharenberg.
Meanwhile, Harvey, perhaps a bigger risk than Dal Santo, could add some flexibility to a small forward cohort of injured stars. Jarryd Blair looks past his best, while Alex Fasolo and Elliot are on the mend from serious injuries.
Trade targets
Will Hoskin-Elliot. The dynamic midfielder/forward is open to a move back to Victoria, and the Magpies are one of a few clubs circling the former pick four Giant.
Lin Jong. Jong to the Magpies has been on the table all season long, but with a shoulder injury and the Gold Coast Suns looming, this target has become trickier than first thought.
Daniel Wells. The Kangaroo veteran is a free agent, and Collingwood has reportedly offered the 31-year-old midfielder a two-year deal.
Caleb Marchbank. The young defender has requested a trade to Victoria, and Collingwood are interested. This deal is unlikely as Collingwood don’t have a first-round draft pick to offer GWS, though.
Ivan Maric. Nathan Buckley confirmed Collingwood’s interest in the uncontracted Richmond ruckman. Think back to 2013 when Collingwood pulled off a similar surprise move, signing Brisbane ruckman Ben Hudson to a coaching/playing role as insurance to their younger stock of ruckmen.
Trade bait
Jarryd Blair. Blair is an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can negotiate his own future with interested clubs. Collingwood’s small forwards are blossoming, but they would miss Blair’s forward pressure.
Nathan Brown. A straight swap between Collingwood and North Melbourne featuring Nathan Brown and Daniel Wells has been suggested, but the club has indicated that their premiership defender is a required player.
Jack Frost. The Brisbane Lions appear to be interested in the out-of-favour and out-of-contract defender, and the Pies could engage in trade talks with the Lions to start securing picks in the upcoming draft.
Jarrod Witts. Similar to Frost, the Lions are interested in Witts, and the Magpies are keen on bettering their draft position.
Marley Williams. Williams is a hot and cold player at the best of times with the Magpies, and Fremantle have shown interest in the Western Australian-born defender.
Surprise move of the offseason?
The reunion of some AFL brothers.
Whether it’s Mitch joining Nathan Brown from West Coast, or Sam joining Ben Reid from Sydney, don’t be surprised if there are some brother-brother trade reunions being negotiated at the Holden Centre.
Sam Reid would provide Collingwood with another key forward target, while Mitch Brown could be that third tall in the defensive six.
Lastly, if Jack Riewoldt is indeed put on the trade table by the Tigers, Collingwood must go after him. A forward line featuring Riewoldt, Moore, White, Fasolo and Elliot? Not bad, not bad at all.
Nigel Petri
Guest
2017 season was a up an down ,with some great players but we need a Shaw like player running the line's off half back .An I think young Sam Reid would be a good thing .but it's not going to be easy getting him .Bucks getting the job next season is a good thing but it's the players got to step up with the game Style an injury's with Wells an mayne didn't help .but we should give Petrie a go with a year deal he did ok for West coast another tall would be handy an low cost .look at depths .The running backman for gold coast would be the man for the pies .greenie has been good but he has been up an down with injuries too so a change there would be a right move .Collingwood need speedy players it's time otherwise we will be too slow next 2018 seaso.Good luck Bucks we are behind you all the way
Reality Check
Guest
Collingwood can continue dumping players, assistant coaches, football department managers and recruiting spuds until the cows come home, but unless Buckley is gone they will never mount a serious challenge for the premiership.
I hate pies
Guest
So overall Collingwood has an average list with little leadership. Summed up well.
Ian Morrison
Guest
Witts definitely has currency, and Cloke will add enough to help snare the FS we want. Properly handled we can land Marchbank.
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
Good read. I am not convinced Chris Mayne is someone the Pies should be going after. Would be good to see Matthew Scharenberg have some luck next season.
Steve Mcglashan
Guest
No boomer won't be there but dal santo could add some polish off half back. Sam Reid would be a good get as would hoskin elliot. Witts is finished and blair is certainly past his best, I think mayne might be ok but marchbank won't happen as we don't have the draft picks, either way It'll be a busy trade and free agency period for the pies
Nicko
Guest
Some very good points, however, I do not see what Boomer adds to a team that is trying to make the 8 next year and not much else. Boomer has a year in him and will keep one of the developing kids out of the team..I just do not see the value. Daniel Well is very talented, but again what does he provide long term...I would suggest nothing. WHE and march bank are they for mine...very talented young players that can grow with the team. Realistically the Pies are looking at a flag window in 2018-2020 which means many of the players mentioned will be way past their use-by-date by then Having decided on a complete rebuild, you might as well take the pain for another year and develop the team that can compete for many years. Som of the games being thrown around look at desperate measures by Bucks to win a few more games next year to help keep his job. As I said, having gone through 3 years of pain whilst he de-constructed a young premiership team...you might as well keep going.
Gecko
Guest
Thanks Tiarne. Maric might be good as a ruck coach and insurance if Cox and Grundy go down, but he probably wouldn't see much senior footy with us. He may prefer to look elsewhere. Not sure why we would target Maine when we have Goldsack playing a similar role and Maine is an unreliable kick for goal. Could be a back-up if Jesse White's form drops again, though he'd need to come cheap. We don't necessarily need a 2nd tall in our forward line (and we have Cox as a back-up if Moore goes down), so recruiting for CHF shouldn't be a priority. Good point about Del Santo's value as a rebounding defender or a back-up winger or midfielder, as long as he's cheap. His experience would help younger players. Harvey may add something to our forward line but would his prickliness be good for harmony? Wells' body is still a big risk. With probably only 1 or 2 more years left in him, he may be of more value to a team like Geelong or Sydney than to Collingwood. Lachie Keefe had potential as a full back until his drug-related suspension. Did he play any footy in the ones or twos in 2016? I think he's worth hanging onto if his mind is in the right place. Marley Williams is currently just okay but could still improve. Worth keeping but also worth seeing what we might get at the trade table. Our highest priority should be a defender with good disposal. Pity the Bulldogs got to Suckling ahead of us.
Ian Morrison
Guest
Some interesting ideas Tiarne, and I would agree with most. WHE and Marchbank are two I really like, and would be happy to see Reid and Brown come in. Reid has always appealed but injury prone like Ben. Maybe Ben's ballet can help there. Brown has never quite "busted out" but could be useful. Nicky D from halfback yes. Boomer is another matter, perhaps a playing/coaching role like Maric. Wells has talent to burn. Anyway, promises to be an interesting trade period and Gubby might surprise a few with what he achieves.