The Collingwood Magpies were outstanding in the first game of season 2020 against the Western Bulldogs when they looked difficult to beat as they played some outstanding footy.
They finished in the top four in 2019 for a reason: they have a quality list. That made it a difficult task to select the ten players that they could least afford to lose.
10. Steele Sidebottom
The fact that Steele Sidebottom is tenth on this list is a key indicator of the depth that the Collingwood Magpies have in their midfield. Sidebottom is a quality player for the Magpies, which he showed in 2019, when he amassed the fourth most disposals of any Magpies player.
9. Tom Phillips
Phillips is underrated player that usually plays on the wing. He finished seventh in the 2019 Collingwood Magpies best-and-fairest. He is yet another player that goes about the role that he is given with no fuss.
8. Taylor Adams
Adams was outstanding for the Collingwood Magpies in Round 1 of Season 2020. He is a quality player who would be a loss for the Magpies if he was not available for selection.
7. Jordan de Goey
De Goey averaged two goals per game in season 2019 in 17 games. De Goey is a player that can create havoc for opposition defenders. He is a match-winner who has the potential to change the balance of play in the Collingwood Magpies’ favour.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
6. Adam Treloar
He was one of three players in the Collingwood Magpies’ team that was named in the AFL All Australian squad of 40 and finished a respectable fourth in the 2019 Collingwood Magpies best-and-fairest.
5. Jeremy Howe
Howe is a player that has relished playing in defence for the Collingwood Magpies. He is renowned for his ability to take a big pack mark, but he showed in Round 1 of season 2020 – when he amassed 25 possessions and was a pivotal part of the Magpies starting 2020 well – that there’s more to his game.
4. Jack Crisp
Crisp always plays his role for the team with little fuss. He is an important player in the Magpies’ defence.
3. Brayden Maynard
Maynard is an integral part of the Collingwood Magpies’ back six. He is a mobile defender whose value to the team can be substantiated by finishing in the top five of the 2019 Collingwood Magpies best-and-fairest.
2. Scott Pendlebury
Pendlebury was named in the best 22 for the 2019 AFL All Australian and finished second in the Collingwood Magpies best-and-fairest in the same season. He is not only a quality player, but his leadership is exemplary. He is arguably the best captain in the competition.
1. Brodie Grundy
Grundy was named in the ruck in the 2019 AFL All Australian team. He is so much more than a ruckman, as he is effectively an extra midfielder as he is extremely mobile. He has been a revelation for the Collingwood Magpies, winning the 2019 best-and-fairest.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks for stating your opinion; very interesting.
Flagpies
Roar Rookie
Whilst I agree the list is quality, it doesn't stack up against a WC or giants or even tigers. What it does have is diversity. There are not many teams that rely less on personnel than the Pies, that's due to the systems they play and the availability for most of its list to play any given role. This keeps oppositions guessing. That is the ace in the deck for this team, unpredictability. What is not predictable but just as much an ace is the pressure they apply to the opposition. At its optimum they literally suffocate the opposition with and without the ball, and have numbers on the outside to execute smooth transition. My list: most important to least. Grundy Adams Pendles (for on ground strategy) Moore Goey Crisp Maynard Roughie Sides Billy
Jorge of Brisvegas
Roar Rookie
Doran, you obviously know this ‘quality- listed’ team well. Despite that I was surprised you put Maynard, Crisp and Howe above De Goey, Treloar and Adams. If you swap them around, it works better. Any pole would show that supporters would rather lose Maynard than De Goey etc I agree with Pete, Moore needs to come onto list for Phillips.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Good stuff Doran. I’d have Tay Adams at number 2 behind Grundy such is his importance as our premier inside mid. Although Pendles does some work in there our next true inside mids are Wills and Sier. Adams is hugely important to help feed the abundance of outside run in Phillips, Treloar and Sidebottom. Crisp is a fantastic player and much underrated by others. I also like that you have rated Howe and Maynard though suspect Moore has to sneak in somewhere, probably at the expense of Phillips. I would have: Grundy Adams Pendlebury Treloar De Goey Crisp Howe Sidebottom Moore Maynard