We’ve seen a number of exciting young players from Essendon, Sydney and now North Melbourne star for their clubs this season. But the development of the youngsters from Collingwood has gone quietly unnoticed in what has been a disappointing year for the club.
They’ve had to say goodbye to their favourite son, murmurings about potential boardroom spills continue to make the headlines, and they are on track for their worst season since 2005.
But as the old adage goes, ‘the night is darkest before dawn’.
The Magpies have debuted nine new players this season, the most of any club in 2021.
They haven’t exactly set the world on fire but their improvement throughout the season would no doubt ease some of the pain from last year’s off season.
None of these players personifies gradual improvement more so than Oli Henry. Debuting in Round 1, Henry struggled with the tempo of AFL, finishing the game with just four disposals. In between two stints back in the VFL, Henry played two more AFL games while he seemed to find all the right places to be but struggled to get his timing right.
When he returned against Richmond it finally came together for him as he clunked seven marks, including a spectacular one-handed mark on the lead at full speed late in the game.
Now he has five goals from his past two games with an upward trajectory of improvement to come. Still very raw, but exciting.
Henry was the Magpies’ first selection in last year’s draft, but their final selection in that draft should now be one of the first palyers selected whenever he is fit and healthy.
Beau McCreery brings something that no other Pie brings: elite forward 50 pressure. In his ten games this year (nine if you don’t count his medical sub debut) he has laid 24 tackles in the forward 50. No other player (with a minimum four games this season) averages more than two – next best is Brody Mihocek (1.06 a game), a key forward.
Although Scott Pendlebury’s injury is a massive blow, it gives more opportunities to the youngsters.
Like Pendlebury, Trent Bianco doesn’t possess explosive speed but he does have footy smarts, fantastic foot skills and could be a future skipper. In his first couple of games, Bianco played as a high half-forward but has since been pushed onto the wing, a role in which he is starting to find more consistency.
For a player that held his own in a midfield with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, more midfield minutes can only be a good thing.
Finlay Macrae is another youngster craving more minutes and should now have an opportunity to be the genuine inside midfielder that he was drafted as. Before the Port game, Macrae had played five games, two as a medical substitute. In the other three games however, he was used as a high half-forward/winger. Against Port last week he was used predominantly through the midfield and recorded his best game yet with 21 disposals, despite having his least amount of playing time (when not sub).
Next year, Isaac Quaynor will be in his fourth season at the club. ‘Q’ has had the job of handling the most dangerous small forwards this year, matching up against Toby Greene, Eddie Betts and even Dustin Martin. Despite this, he still is one of the few Magpies that can use his speed and ability to take the game on from the defensive half, while at the same time improving his defensive skills.
If Collingwood are to bounce back in 2022 it can’t be on the back of Brodie Grundy, Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore but on the improvement of the depth players. They have a good depth of youngsters ready to knock down the door.
Reef McInees, who unofficially broke the combine’s 20-metre sprint record, is yet to debut. Will Kelly has shown glimpses but needs a better run of luck. Another preseason under the belt for Tyler Brown will get him more game time next season. And next season’s #35 seems to have a big future ahead of him.
The depth is there. It might be C-grade depth but the development of the kids will give the new coach plenty to work with and show the dawn is coming.
Luke
Guest
Great to see a positive article, and improvement from the Pies. I don't think the success of the younger brigade has been lost on supporters. The demolition of West Coast last weekend was built on the return of experienced hands in the backline, and a young core of draftees that were given a go. There was a significant change in the team dynamic over the last month. For most of this year, Collingwood supporters have watched a core group of veterans in a depleted team try and win a game off their own boot. Rookies played cameo roles at best, and were irrelevant at worst. Most did not return the following week. More recently we have seen the rookies become integral to the game plan, and team dynamic. Last week we won because of our younger players, not despite them. Injuries certainly helped, but so did sacking the coach. We were no longer seeking another win to release the pressure - the bubble had already burst. There will be more lows, but the sense of what we have lost from change that has permeated the coverage of our club - and the psyche of its supporters - can now begin to be balanced with a glimmer of what we might have gained from change. Until recently, there had been little in the positive column other than change itself. So there is cause for some hope once again at Collingwood, and even the possibility that last year's disastrous trade period could have a silver lining. The club sold the farm - and perhaps the short term future - to get into the 2020 draft and accelerate the rebuild, and positioned themselves to take a promising father son prospect next year. While no doubt the execution of that trade period will remain a sore point, it could be viewed quite differently from a list building perspective in years to come. They paid a high price to gamble on this group of draftees, and that gamble may yet pay off. Bianco, Poulter, Henry, McCreery and McRae have shown glimpses within a few games - and Reef has yet to be sighted. We have largely paid for another Daicos already, and while that price was high - the reward may be a generational player. Sydney were in a similar position not long ago. Now they are a worthy finalist that could make a mark in September. We might even get a better coach, and dare I say board, before the season is out. It's all yet to be written, and a year is a long time in football.
Donmac
Roar Rookie
Agree 100%
Chris
Guest
The board want a Bollywood appointment rather than sticking to a humbleman who has natural talent and just happens to be a grand-nephew of the legendary Victorian Neil Harvey. The way these lads are playing is a pure carbon copy of the legendary double Brownlow Medallist. These highlights confirm the above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFgVxnTOOHk&t=10s
Donmac
Roar Rookie
Does anyone, apart from me, see any reason why Collingwood doesn't stick with Robert Harvey as their senior coach?
Chris
Guest
This is the best crop of kids we've had since Brown Crosisca Starcevich Christian Gayfer Monkhurst Wright and co... I can't tell you how happy I am with every single one of them. I would stick with Robert Harvey and bring in Mark Williams. He is a genuinely decent bloke and with a bit of paternal TLC from Williams we'll be in the eight next year. Recruit Weideman to help out up front and bring in another 10-12 decent lads. We've got what it takes to shakeup the whole competition. Keep up the good work lads. I love your game plan and your genuine love for the game. Touching attitude that is Collingwood through and through....
I would too. Dont really see the point in dropping kids for players like Mayne or Thomas. Their form will fluctuate until they get a good run of games into their bodies. Now seems the ideal time to give them a few weeks at senior level.
FabPhil
Roar Rookie
Good piece. I know they've got a few niggles but I'd also love to see McInnes and Johnson get a run by the season's end.
okapiman
Roar Rookie
Because of the sacrifices made in the 2020 draft. ie for 2021 essentially only one pick (Daicos) + a draft deficit for the 2022 draft. The 2020 draftees have to be a real bolters just so Collingwood can break even in the long term. The 2020 draft and trades were a huge gamble and tied up Collingwood at the draft for two years, it is why some say the Clarko’s of the world are not rushing for the job. The next two years combined with a salary cap hangover, no draft picks, are going to be super tough. That said from adversity comes brilliance and Hines is one of the best in the business. So the 2020 draft crop has to 3 odd 200+ gamers.. you pick up another one this year…
Flagpies
Roar Rookie
Yes surprising where they're at and the fact that they shouldn't be there in the first place.
RT
Roar Rookie
A positive article about Collingwood. Well I never...
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Great article Mellad. Loved the goal Bianco booted against Port, can see him doing that in a premiership down the track.
djdart
Roar Rookie
I’m really excited as well about what the kids can produce for the rest of the season. So many of them taking the opportunity that’s presented to them with both hands and feet lol !! I’ve been fortunate to have been able to go to most of the games and to watch them up close has been a thrill. The team now understands where we are at and now the shackles have been released, we can really see how they go with an attacking mindset and a license to show us what they’ve got. McCreery, Bianco, Murphy, Henry and Poulter have been absolute nuggets that we have found. Add to that Quaynor, Daicos, Noble and young Nick Daicos coming on board next year makes for a huge amount of optimism. We get Darcy back with Jeremy and the beast Maynard with Isaac, Murphy and co learning the defensive ropes from them will be great. Brodie is getting back to his best and the old firm of Pendles, Sidebottom and Adams are still getting us good midfield ball. I truly believe with the young group we have and we get ourselves a coach that brings an attacking mindset and can get the best out of them , the sky is the limit, Go Pies !!!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Lovely article thanks. I agree this group of kids look really good. Still be good to see Reef soon and Liam McMahon will take time and has sticky hands. Adams, De Goey, Grundy, Moore, Howe, Josh Daicos and the eternally youthful Pendlebury and Sidebottom can help these kids grow together.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Mellad Ibrahimi, well done. If you and Les Zig stood for the Pies presidency, you'd win in a landslide. You're on the way up...in 2 or 3 years.