Opinion 2014 may well be the most exciting Collingwood list ever.

[privatopia]

Could not agree more with Matty's OP. There is every reason to be very excited about how our list is developing post 2010 and MM.

Most would think we got lucky by snaring Grundy, BenKen and Broomhead last draft along with Kmart, Dwyer, Frost but I urge all fans to listen when Dekker talks. He has openly said its all part of a 3 YEAR PLAN to culminate in the 2014 draft, with so much work going into that.

We all know that given the advantages the Giants and Suns have been gifted, its going to be difficult in a few years to get past them in September. To me, it seems like we're building to take the fight right up to them with a young, talented list and a complete change of culture and awesome development facilities. How badly do these kids want to play for Bucks?!?! Its nuts.

Yes, I am forever optimistic but my message to the new clubs is take on the CFC at your own peril! We'll be up for the fight.

Also, not sure Tommy Langdon has been talked about much in this thread but Hine said (with his own voice) that Tom is around where Goldy was at the same stage of his development age-wise - 19.

Get around em Pies fans. Stay positive and #sessionbysession #sidebyside lets have it!

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

I can't help but feel we're overrating the list massively (as most fans do with their teams).

But when you actually sit down and take a look and there's some serious top end talent in the list now. Seriously good players near their peak age bracket too.

If this team gets the Geelong attitude, coupled with the talent that has potential to be more than that of Hawthorn list (which I believe is the potential case with this group now), this list could seriously do some damage in the coming years.

But without getting too excited.

My 2014 wishlist:

- A solid gameplan to transfer from the Backline to Forwardline FAST from kickouts.
- Cloke roaming CHF, take him away from F50 and the static wrestling against three opponents that was a standard of 2013.
- Find a forward line that actually functions with the new found talent. Last year was one of the worst Pie forward lines in living memory.
- Midfield that runs both ways (which I believe will naturally sort itself out anyway with the competition for spots and new ethos), but I'll still list this down as it is a weakness that hopefully is addressed over preseason.

- Finally....ACL God - give us a ****!ng break already!

 

[Baird]

Lol ACL god

 

[noideaatall]

Lol ACL god

Once you understand the true relationship between the great god of ACLs and the god of Drafting you will understand the true nature of the sacrifices made over the last few years.

 

[Hinequarters]

A couple more Hine specials for Clarke and Yagmoor and that list is cherry

But 2015 is probably when it really starts coming together

 

[Tbone McGraw]

We're pretty lucky as Pies supporters when missing on top four is a considered a struggling season.

I know what you mean but we should be a top 4 side with our quality.

I am an optimist but have little optimism about next year and that pisses me off.

We have lost Dale, Shaw and one that is under rated in Krak. Who replaces those 3?

We have got White, Karnezis and Armstrong in who are all underwhelming at best. I do like taylor adams.

I love Grundy but can he ruck a full season with Witts and Hudson.

I love the pies but I hate that this season already looks over in terms of a flag.

 

[privatopia]

I am an optimist but have little optimism about next year and that pisses me off.

Roaring with laughter here, are you serious???? I can appreciate you might support the Collingwood Football Club but I think you need a break man! Look at what you just wrote ON THE INTERNET! Forever to be restored!

 

[RobbyTMagpies]

Am I the only one here who thinks we can actually win it this year?
What is everyone comparing our 2014 team to? Hawthorn of 2013?
Hawthorn will drop next year I hope, I don't see them getting any stronger.
That's all we really gotta worry about for next year I believe.

 

[RuFiO]

Not that I was there, but that list that won 4 flags in a row might think they hold this title

Those were the days.
Feels just like yesterday.

 

[Hinequarters]

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Am I the only one here who thinks we can actually win it this year?

Yes, because there are no more games to be played this year.

 

[THATSGOLD]

It's just my opinion but to me the look of the 2014 Collingwood AFL list (including the rookies) could well be the most exciting list of players I've ever seen.

It has a mixture of the leftover stars from the premiership team, the ones that still want to be at the club and are still young enough to have an influence.
Players like; Swan, Toovey, Pendlebury, Cloke, Maxwell, Goldsack, Harry, Ball

Then there's that next level, the ones that were kids when we won the flag (might have even been part of it) yet are now coming into their own and pushing their way up the rankings.
Players like; Beams, Sidebottom, Fasolo, Elliott, Reid, Blair, Thomas, Williams

Then there's the kids, and oh boy do we have some stunning potential in this category.
Players like; Grundy, Kennedy, Broomhead, Scharenberg, Freeman, Marsh, Oxley, Ramsay, Mooney

Then you add in the experienced players from other clubs we've bought under Bucks;
Players like; Young, White, Lynch, Karnezis, Adams, Dwyer, K-Mart, Frost

It's just such an exciting time for this club, we are coming off our worst season in a long time but we look almost certain to extend our finals streak behind a decade, something that is amazing to think off.

I'm not saying we are guaranteed to win a flag with this current group but man it's going to be fun to watch at both AFL and VFL level.

Minus Tarks Presti Daisy Bucks Shaw Rusling Clement Burns Wakes Rocca Medhurst Tarrant Didak Davis yeh nah that was the most exciting.

 

[jonbe54]

Not that I was there, but that list that won 4 flags in a row might think they hold this title

Dad was there to see those 4 flags and the one a few years after Jack and he always reckoned they had their touch of flair with a few players but over and above all else it was rough and rugged, intimidating and ruthless.

 

[Baltimore Jack]

Joffa (yes that Joffa) has a lot of history about the teams that played in those 4 flags, its fascinating to read.

 

[jonbe54]

I know what you mean but we should be a top 4 side with our quality.

I am an optimist but have little optimism about next year and that pisses me off.

We have lost Dale, Shaw and one that is under rated in Krak. Who replaces those 3?

We have got White, Karnezis and Armstrong in who are all underwhelming at best. I do like taylor adams.

I love Grundy but can he ruck a full season with Witts and Hudson.

I love the pies but I hate that this season already looks over in terms of a flag.

Dear god Tbone don't slit your wrists yet

We had no choice with Dale who couldn't stand being forced to earn his spot, same with Krak who simply seemed to lose that appetite for the contest and Shaw is a can of worms on his even best days as we all know.

Now I'm not saying we won't miss their best attributes but for one reason or another each and every one of them were a destabilizing influence on team balance and also poor examples for up and coming youngsters.

You have to break a few eggs to make an omelete mate and the team was broken last year, divided and unsettled as only dissenters and destabilizing members can acheive.

We may or may not be weakened Rnd 1 but I'll bet my bottom dollar we are a unified TEAM once more and every club needs that as the basis to work from.

 

[September Action]

The thing that'll make this side really exciting is if Buckley can coach. All the other pieces are falling into place. And to top it off, Bucks' will get buy in from this group - he's moulded it. As I keep saying, I reckon he's got 2 years from now to show his apples. The last two years have been about transition.

I'm very interested in how we'll approach the '14 draft. Clearly Hine wants to nail it and that means he either expects pickable gems after first round, or we will trade for high picks - which means Daisy and Heater type losses.

I just hope we are unearthing a couple of next gen elites with all these high picks.

 

[RuFiO]

The thing that'll make this side really exciting is if Buckley can coach. All the other pieces are falling into place. And to top it off, Bucks' will get buy in from this group - he's moulded it. As I keep saying, I reckon he's got 2 years from now to show his apples. The last two years have been about transition.

I'm very interested in how we'll approach the '14 draft. Clearly Hine wants to nail it and that means he either expects pickable gems after first round, or we will trade for high picks - which means Daisy and Heater type losses.

I just hope we are unearthing a couple of next gen elites with all these high picks.

But he beat Mick twice this year.
That's the only evidence needed to confirm he can coach.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Matty, it is not uncommon for people to feel optimistic about their team when a host of new arrivals are announced (who haven't played for the club yet). People like to fantasize about the potential of the players / team, rather than the form.

But I find it hard to look past the 2011 list in terms of excitement about what it can achieve. That was absolutely our premiership for the losing, and the most dominant Collingwood side of all time (despite not winning the flag..)

This list has zero form together as a group, and the form that they did have was good enough to see us finish 8th. And since then, we have shed a lot of big game experience, and brought on a lot of unproven kids. In fact, not a single one will be the matchwinner next year that Shaw or Thomas could have been.

In 2011, we had the premiership team (the youngest in quite some time) and added Tarrant and Krakouer, with minimal loss. And I think we won the preseason cup in 2011. Brave call to not have that list as the most exciting going into round 1...

Having said all that, I am pleased with the direction our list has taken, but don't think next year is when it will peak. In fact, we may even go backwards slightly. I am looking forward to 2015 / 16.

 

[Ed D]

With the club not having many 1st round picks in the last few seasons it's been a while since I've looked forward to guys developing and getting games that aren't in the 22. The last few seasons has been more about using the guys who are already there and playing to their potential, now it's shifted a little to seeing guys come through the VFL and breaking into the side to improve it. It's a good time to watch football IMO.

 

[Antz]

Lets face it we are not going to win the premiership in 2014 so in a way I am hoping we don't finish in the 8 and have at least a couple of 1st round picks next year where we can select some key position forwards. Then we will be set for 2015 and beyond

 

[cleomenes]

I have to agree with Jelly Bean.

 

[motr]

Lets face it we are not going to win the premiership in 2014 so in a way I am hoping we don't finish in the 8 and have at least a couple of 1st round picks next year where we can select some key position forwards. Then we will be set for 2015 and beyond

Not going to happen. This team will be up at the nose end of the competition.

 

[Hardas]

I can't help but feel we're overrating the list massively (as most fans do with their teams).

But when you actually sit down and take a look and there's some serious top end talent in the list now. Seriously good players near their peak age bracket too.

If this team gets the Geelong attitude, coupled with the talent that has potential to be more than that of Hawthorn list (which I believe is the potential case with this group now), this list could seriously do some damage in the coming years.

But without getting too excited.

My 2014 wishlist:

- A solid gameplan to transfer from the Backline to Forwardline FAST from kickouts.
- Cloke roaming CHF, take him away from F50 and the static wrestling against three opponents that was a standard of 2013.
- Find a forward line that actually functions with the new found talent. Last year was one of the worst Pie forward lines in living memory.
- Midfield that runs both ways (which I believe will naturally sort itself out anyway with the competition for spots and new ethos), but I'll still list this down as it is a weakness that hopefully is addressed over preseason.

- Finally....ACL God - give us a ****!ng break already!

Right on the money.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Minus Tarks Presti Daisy Bucks Shaw Rusling Clement Burns Wakes Rocca Medhurst Tarrant Didak Davis yeh nah that was the most exciting.

I loved the players on our 2007 list, not gonna lie.

Love that squad.

 

[THATSGOLD]

I loved the players on our 2007 list, not gonna lie.

Love that squad.

Deserved a flag mate. They were that good just lacked Jolly and all those guys would have been premiership players.