List Mgmt. The Offseason: COLLINGWOOD

What should Collingwood prioritise this off-season?

  • Signing Fremantle's Chris Mayne

    Votes: 2 5.4%
  • Trading Nathan Brown for Daniel Wells

    Votes: 3 8.1%
  • Ensuring fair compensation in the Travis Cloke trade

    Votes: 9 24.3%
  • Packaging Jack Frost and Jarrod Witts to Brisbane for draft picks

    Votes: 2 5.4%
  • Trading for Will Hoskin-Elliot from GWS

    Votes: 7 18.9%
  • Luring another key forward other than Mayne

    Votes: 14 37.8%

  • Total voters
    37

Remove this Banner Ad

TiarneSwersky

Senior List
May 8, 2015
207
455
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Los Angeles Lakers
The Offseason will be 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 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 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.

On 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 of 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 resignings 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 resigned with the club on a five-year deal, recommitting to the club, which won him a premiership as a teenager.

At still only 25 years of age, Sidebottom had another wonderful year, averaging 25.7 disposals, 5.4 marks, 4.5 tackles a game, whilst also adding a goal tally 17 for the year.

Who won’t be there next year?

Retirements – The club has already waved goodbye to three of its 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 2 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 Collingwood 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 10 goals for the season, with his best tally of three goals 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 from 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 from 2017, but with a reported 4-year deal on the table, are Collingwood panicking?

At 27 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 deemed a disappointment.

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 delisted, 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 players could 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 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 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 4 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.

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 rucks.

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 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 WA-born defender.

Surprise move of the off-season?

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.

*This article was originally posted on The Roar by Tiarne Swersky*
 
Last edited:
Bears can have Frost for Beams.

Would happily take Sam Reid, but not needed of we got Reiwoldt.

Happy to take Nathan Brown too if he's going for a reasonable price.

I'd rather be pinching some proven young key forwards though....from GWS or GC.
 
Surprise move of the off-season?

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.

Ed Langdon to Collingwood is another option there
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Trading Brown for Wells? How bout we just sign Wells and re-sign brown?
Also Mayne is 27 (almost 28) and not a key forward

This might come across as rude but just trying to help I saw at the bottom it's an article so you may want to fix those if possible.
 
This might come across as rude but just trying to help I saw at the bottom it's an article so you may want to fix those if possible.

I'll toss in my own one in the spirit of trying to help - the words 'resigned' and 're-signed' have very different meanings.
 
A pretty fair summary of where things sit. I'd also have Wills amongst the best finds for the year, he came hardly being noticed in a handful of VFL games as a VFL player last year to banging the door down and demanding senior games this season.

Of those unsigned:

Retain:
Jarryd Blair (1-2 year contract)

Lachlan Keeffe - whoever has the higher wage of him and Thomas should remain on the rookie list, we get a 50% salary cap saving if our 39th and/or 40th players are promoted rookies

One of Nathan Brown or Jack Frost - I'd keep Brown

Jesse White - 1 year contract is the right move

Tim Broomhead (2-3 year contract)

Trade for the right deal:
Marley Williams
Jarrod Witts

Delist:
Corey Gault - I wouldn't be surprised to see him get another season on the rookie list though
 
A pretty fair summary of where things sit. I'd also have Wills amongst the best finds for the year, he came hardly being noticed in a handful of VFL games as a VFL player last year to banging the door down and demanding senior games this season.

Do you think we played smoke and mirrors with Wills last year? Played in the VFL in the first half of the season and then, IIRC, wasn't sighted again. Did we hide him in the cupboard? Hope so.:D
 
Last edited:
Bears can have Frost for Beams.

Would happily take Sam Reid, but not needed of we got Reiwoldt.

Happy to take Nathan Brown too if he's going for a reasonable price.

I'd rather be pinching some proven young key forwards though....from GWS or GC.

I don't see how we can get rid of Frost...

IF Brown stays, he's always had injury worries, who plays full back if Reid or Brown get injured? Frost might be ordinary but we need some sort of depth down back.

Relying on Keeffe could be a disaster too.
 
Trading Brown for Wells? How bout we just sign Wells and re-sign brown?
Also Mayne is 27 (almost 28) and not a key forward

This might come across as rude but just trying to help I saw at the bottom it's an article so you may want to fix those if possible.

Thanks for your feedback. I've changed the age of Mayne - my bad.

Also, the straight swap of Wells for Brown is one that is swirling around - it was not an opinion of mine per say.
 
I have just had a scout of the Youtube videos of Mayne and asked a mate who is a Freo man (he lives in Freo) and I must confess I dont mind Mayne as much as some here seem to.

I dont know about a 4 year contract but he ticks a lot of boxes insofar as he ramps up forward line pressure, is small enough to be mobile, is a very good shot for goal, and is something of an occasional speccy taker. If we think Howe isnt going to ever go back forward (which he was recruited for) and wanted someone to keep a bit of structure up forward I wouldnt have thought he would be that bad an option.

For mine the priority of the off season is getting someone to be a target (assuming we are offloading Cloke - and I would not be averse to keeping him around) alongside Darcy Moore and maybe Cox (but I think Cox will need to come on), and making sure that there is a bit firmer tall presence down back. At the moment I see Reid (who can be injury prone) as the key man amidst, Howe (won a place in a lot of peoples hearts this year for that ability to do the right thing with a touch of daring do and marking flair) Marsh (I love his approach, just needs a bit of work with disposal)) running out with maybe two of Brown (where we need a big body (assuming he doesnt switch to North)) Keefe (who'd be handy on occasion for the extra height, assuming he is fit and hasnt lost the pace of the game) Frost (I admire his willingness but he is terrifying with the ball in his hands) or Goldsack (a great clubman and willing contributor always, but not sure he is first 22 any more) - alongside whatever back smalls we play (and we seem to have uncovered a couple of decent smalls). I reckon Scharenberg after two knee reconstructions is going to need time to settle in and get the pace of the game.

I dont really see the value in scoring Daniel Wells - who I see as a good player, but - when we have a midfield of Pendlebury, Treloar, Adams, Sidebottom, Greenwood and Crisp, and Smith (who looked good to me), I would have thought electrifying pace was the quality we would be after.

If they could score Reiwoldt I would look at that - assuming they could get him playing in the Collingwood style really quickly I would have thought he would go a long way to making them a September proposition, and taking a lot of pressure of Darcy M, but his ability to pressure backs isnt flash. Swapping Frost and Witts (who I think their best trading option - he is too good to play VFL but the lesser (at the moment) of he and Grundy (when both are at the stage when you cant really play both of them in the same side), and he is a good servant of the club - and deserves better career options) for draft picks, or to bring Hoskins Elliott (who they should be looking at closely from a medical point of view) or maybe Marchbank (if they could). Other than that it would need to be an out of left field mega deal to whet my summer appetite. I am not going to get my hopes up this summer (as I did last), and think that if they dont make the finals and dont make a show of it if they get there, then Bucks (magnificent servant of the club he has been) should be (respectfully) slipped into the Director of Coaching position.
 
I don't see how we can get rid of Frost...

IF Brown stays, he's always had injury worries, who plays full back if Reid or Brown get injured? Frost might be ordinary but we need some sort of depth down back.

Relying on Keeffe could be a disaster too.
I'm not as keen as some seem to be.
Frost showed plenty when thrown in to the deep end early.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

I usually just read but I created an account just to ask this question. I know he is in talks with Hawthorn but why can't Collingwood throw everything at Tom Mitchell? He would be a perfect replacement for swanny, which I would prefer than any of the forward options in FA. Then just fill our holes in the draft.
 
I usually just read but I created an account just to ask this question. I know he is in talks with Hawthorn but why can't Collingwood throw everything at Tom Mitchell? He would be a perfect replacement for swanny, which I would prefer than any of the forward options in FA. Then just fill our holes in the draft.

I think most will say, because we already have a stacked midfield and he isn't a list need. Do we spend what it would cost to bring in Mitchell elsewhere? Somewhere that is a bigger list need. For example a key forward.

But I agree with you. I think bringing in Mitchell would put us amongst the best midfields in the competition. And open up other interesting positional opportunities. Such as Sidebottom forward. Or Adams at half back. Crisp has positional scope also.

P.S. welcome to the board! Remember it's a willing time of the year!
 
I usually just read but I created an account just to ask this question. I know he is in talks with Hawthorn but why can't Collingwood throw everything at Tom Mitchell? He would be a perfect replacement for swanny, which I would prefer than any of the forward options in FA. Then just fill our holes in the draft.
Would be a good get.
Good quality first post by the way
 
Well if people think that our midfield is good enough to compete with the top 8 clubs, which I personally don't, then I'd at least like us to try and go after Riewoldt or Breust, don't bother with wells or Mayne, in my opinion.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

List Mgmt. The Offseason: COLLINGWOOD


Write your reply...
Back
Top