The Offseason: Collingwood

What should Collingwood prioritise this off-season?

  • Signing Fremantle's Chris Mayne

    Votes: 19 22.1%
  • Trading Nathan Brown for Daniel Wells

    Votes: 3 3.5%
  • Ensuring fair compensation in the Travis Cloke trade

    Votes: 8 9.3%
  • Packaging Jack Frost and Jarrod Witts to Brisbane for draft picks

    Votes: 10 11.6%
  • Trading for Will Hoskin-Elliot from GWS

    Votes: 21 24.4%
  • Luring another key forward other than Mayne

    Votes: 25 29.1%

  • Total voters
    86

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:

Log in to remove this ad.

Nice work TiarneSwersky good read.

Will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Looks like we will be chasing some FAs away from the draft to fill some list deficiencies aswell as trying to offload some fringe types via trade for 2nd/3rd rounders to give us the best chance of getting F/Sons Brown and Daicos.
 
The Pies have been active traders in recent years, and have probably come out ahead on each deal bringing in best 22 players. It doesn't seem to be helping them on field though, so perhaps they should look within for improvement rather than without.
Or better luck with injuries, new fitness guy and a new coach, I like the way we trade and hope it continues.

I too am confused why there is a thread dedicated to our club on this board though, little cringe worthy tbh.
 
Agree re Jack Riewoldt - not everyone's cup of tea. However he can kick goals and would kick more if played closer to goals. Doubt that will happen though.

I am hoping we secure more youngish talent to add to Aish, Adams and Treloar of recent years. Ideally a key position defender or forward.

A decent genuine crumbling small forward would be ideal.


Trade bait seems spot on - doubt we would get much for Blair.
 
Also people don't factor in that after cloke leaves, we barely a player older than 28 on our list. Wouldn't hurt to bring in 2 or 3 older guys on limited coin to provide some experience and leadership. For one, I'd love to get Boomer to help teach our young forwards how to crumb and I don't think having Maric as a cheap backup and coach for Grundy would hurt one bit.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Wouldn't be surprised to see the Pies move a bigger name. Fasolo?

Also IMO have too many poor using inside mids. Greenwood? To GCS or WC?? Can't see the Pies going for Jong as he's a poor user. Perhaps Hrovat as part of a Cloke deal?

Could see Pies trying to get back into the first rd by bundling Witts and say Frost to get a late first rd from GCS (their JOM pick from Hawthorn).

A swap of Fasolo plus something to WC for Darling??

Should only get one of Wells or Dal - prefer Wells.

Just some thoughts.
 
Cant help but feel Buckley will be trying to save his coaching career. Lot of water to go under the bridge yet but names such as Dal Santo, Wells and Mayne reek of desperation
I don't see how Nathan Buckley has that much pull in this situation I'm pretty sure the list manager and gubby Allen would make the final decision with a bit of input from Buckley pretty sure Allen wouldn't ruin his rep recruiting just for Buckley's sake.
 
We lack in a number of positions, KPB, KPF, small crumbling forward, good ball user off HB. Biggest thing going forward is the lack of A grade and potential A grade talent on the list. Without much currency coming into the draft trade period I don't see much improvement in the list coming. Apart from Wells most of the mooted changes are underwhelming and Wells is short term.
 
Cant help but feel Buckley will be trying to save his coaching career. Lot of water to go under the bridge yet but names such as Dal Santo, Wells and Mayne reek of desperation

Why?

Wells and Dal Santo fill a legitimate need in the starting 22... we're getting rid of alot of experienced players over the off season too.

Mayne is garbage though.
 
Why?

Wells and Dal Santo fill a legitimate need in the starting 22... we're getting rid of alot of experienced players over the off season too.

Mayne is garbage though.

Agree Mayne is ordinary. Still probably an upgrade on Blair though.
 
Agree re Jack Riewoldt - not everyone's cup of tea. However he can kick goals and would kick more if played closer to goals. Doubt that will happen though.

I am hoping we secure more youngish talent to add to Aish, Adams and Treloar of recent years. Ideally a key position defender or forward.

A decent genuine crumbling small forward would be ideal.


Trade bait seems spot on - doubt we would get much for Blair.
Jack would be wonderful fit next to Moore, but given Collingwood's lack of 1st rd picks, I just can't see how they would get it done. Richmond, quite rightly, would be asking for a lot. Short of giving up something that CFC don't want to lose, I can't see it happening
 
Wouldn't be surprised to see the Pies move a bigger name. Fasolo?

Also IMO have too many poor using inside mids. Greenwood? To GCS or WC?? Can't see the Pies going for Jong as he's a poor user. Perhaps Hrovat as part of a Cloke deal?

Could see Pies trying to get back into the first rd by bundling Witts and say Frost to get a late first rd from GCS (their JOM pick from Hawthorn).

A swap of Fasolo plus something to WC for Darling??

Should only get one of Wells or Dal - prefer Wells.

Just some thoughts.
Witts and Frost aren't likely to return a 1st rd pick. Certainly not from GC. A ruckman and a key defender who will likely spend plenty of time in the reserves given GC's incumbents in those positions.
Brisbane makes some sense for Frost, but not at the cost of a 1st rd draft pick. Brisbane are unlikely to trade their selection for anything other than a bona fide star level talent. I don't get the Witts interest from Brisbane. Neither he nor Martin offer much as a forward. Hard to see them working successfully in tandem. Archie Smith is a promising understudy also.
 
Why?

Wells and Dal Santo fill a legitimate need in the starting 22... we're getting rid of alot of experienced players over the off season too.

Mayne is garbage though.
Other than perhaps winning a couple of extra games with these guys next season, how do Collingwood benefit in the long run by going down the experienced veteran path? Does it actually move them closer to a flag? I would argue not. Better off getting games into, and giving responsibility to some others (Oxley, Langdon, Williams). See if they step up to the plate and if not, then you know what you need to chase going forward.
 
Witts and Frost aren't likely to return a 1st rd pick. Certainly not from GC. A ruckman and a key defender who will likely spend plenty of time in the reserves given GC's incumbents in those positions.
Brisbane makes some sense for Frost, but not at the cost of a 1st rd draft pick. Brisbane are unlikely to trade their selection for anything other than a bona fide star level talent. I don't get the Witts interest from Brisbane. Neither he nor Martin offer much as a forward. Hard to see them working successfully in tandem. Archie Smith is a promising understudy also.

You are right got my QLD teams mixed. Perhaps Greenwood to GCS? What would a Greenwood/Witts package fetch? I'd say more than a late first. Pies fans might say a late first for each. So somewhere in between?

Nicholls is quite ordinary IMO and Witts would be an upgrade IMO.
 
Brisbane are unlikely to trade their selection for anything other than a bona fide star level talent.

Brisbane won't trade Pick 2 (or Pick 3 if they get a PP) for Witts and Frost (even if packaged)

I don't get the Witts interest from Brisbane.

I do. Right age. Need more depth in the ruck department. Martin is 30 in November.
 
Brisbane won't trade Pick 2 (or Pick 3 if they get a PP) for Witts and Frost (even if packaged)



I do. Right age. Need more depth in the ruck department. Martin is 30 in November.

What do you think your mob would pay for Witts? Clearly 2 or 3 is insanity (I agree with you).
 

Remove this Banner Ad

The Offseason: Collingwood


Write your reply...
Back
Top