In 2011, the VFL team struggled badly under first year coach Tarkyn Lockyer but 2012 prospects to be hopefully more encouraging given the fast tracking of first year players being forced to play key roles after the purge of more experienced veterans like O’Bree, Fraser, Medhurst and the head coach himself the year before. I’m going to be putting my thoughts on the Collingwood listed players excluding the current best 22. Therefore VFL listed players like newly acquired Mitch Hahn will be excluded as well as this year’s Grand Final team plus Dayne Beams and Cameron Wood whom are the most logical replacements for the departing Leon Davis and Leigh Brown. The team:
B: Tyson Goldsack – Nathan Brown – Luke Rounds
I expect Goldsack to have a similar year in 2012 that he did in 2011 in that he will probably split time between both the AFL and VFL. Goldy is excellent depth and never lets the AFL team down but will always struggle to become an AFL regular when your main competitor for the 3rd tall defender role is the AFL captain Nick Maxwell.
For those supporters expecting Nathan Brown will jump straight back to AFL after a year off, I think you are sorely mistaken. Firstly Tarrant and Reid are a clear cut first choice at FB and CHB. Including Brown with these two, I think the team will be two top heavy, even allowing for the versatility of Tarrant who could swing forward. Also given Brown is coming off a major injury, the safe sensible option should be to take it slow and let Nathan get back some confidence and form in the VFL, especially for the first half of the season.
I believe this is Luke Rounds upcoming 4th year at the club and this year we saw a new role. After spending the majority of the first two years up forward and through the midfield, Rounds earned a promotion to AFL as a small defender and had a very good first game on Kangaroos skipper Brent Harvey. With Leon Davis departing, potentially there is a spot available for a small defender and Rounds could take it if he impresses in NAB Cup.
HB: Tom Young – Lachlan Keeffe – Simon Buckley
These three showed significant development in 2011 and proved that they are handy depth that can be called up by Nathan Buckley. Well except for Keefe, who proved that he is not a key forward substituting for the injured Chris Dawes. Keeffe should be returned to CHB where he can continue his development.
Young had a very strong finish to season 2011 and overtook his more experienced back flanker teammate later in the season when a senior opportunity became available due to injuries and suspension. He has got a lot of good tools and just needs a bit more experience.
I’m a fan of Simon Buckley. He’s got good size, quick and a great long kick. He can also push up from defense and be an effective winger too. Sometimes his decision making can cause fans minor heart attacks but I think his good qualities out weigh the bad. However given the emergence of Young and the return of Marty Clarke, he can’t afford to be complacent. A poor season could mean the chop at the end of the season given he has already been in the AFL system for 5 years.
C: Martin Clarke – Josh Thomas – Peter Yagmoor
Marty’s back and Collingwood paid a pretty hefty price to get him back by giving GWS their first round pick to prelist him. I don’t see him getting promoted straight to AFL like Andrew Krakouer did this year. I think he needs to start in VFL and earn any promotion. An interesting tidbit in Mick Malthouse’s new book revealed that Clarke wasn’t a fan of playing as a small defender and wanted to get more involved in the play. I think Nathan Buckley and Tarkyn Lockyer would be willing to accommodate that request by starting his 2nd Collingwood career from the wing. It will be very interesting how quick Clarke can get back to AFL and shake off the ‘rust’ after a year away.
Josh Thomas is facing a make or break season. He needs to stay away from the injury bug and string some games and consistency together. I’m looking forward to see him in 2012 and hopefully he can take some significant strides to becoming a good inside goalkicking midfielder that he showed promise in U18s. If he break down again, then he could be another unfortunate ‘Brad Dick’ situation come the end of 2012.
Peter Yagmoor was acquired in trade week from Gold Coast Suns. He’s slightly build so he will likely play outside in his first season. According to his draft profile he has elite kicking skills so hopefully we can see him stream forward from the wing in the VFL and stick a few down the FF’s throat.
HF: Brent Macaffer – Jackson Paine – Kirk Ugle
2011 was a year to forget for Macaffer and he almost lost his AFL career at the end of the season. Leon Davis shock decision to return back to WA earned Macaffer a reprieve and a one year contract. Basically because of injuries he just couldn’t get going. He can’t afford anymore injury setbacks this preseason and hopefully he can get his fitness base back and become the player we all saw play a very good role in 2010 premiership.
I’m very pleased at Jackson Paine being this team’s first pick in National draft. He is a genuine CHF that the VFL team didn’t have after Brett Eddy went down with injury. I can’t wait to see him action.
Ugle had a slow start in 2011 but I thought showed some pretty good form in the last few games of the season. After playing mainly as a forward pocket, I think this is the season we will see Ugle push forward more around the 50 and have an occasional run in the midfield.
F: Jaime Elliott – Jarrod Witts – Corey Gault
I must admit I know next to nothing on Elliott other than he hasn’t described on these boards as a Paul Medhurst type forward. If that’s the case, he should become a VFL fan favourite pretty quickly.
How long will Witts be in VFL in 2012? Not very long in my opinion given the impact he made last season featuring in the best players in every game he played with VFL team. Him and Ceglar should form a very effective ruck combination.
Gault, the team’s second pick in National draft will probably spend the entire year as the VFL’s 3rd tall forward. He is a project and although he has the height to ruck, we shouldn’t see him in that role this upcoming season due to his slight build. He is listed at only 84kg according to Inside Football.
FOLL: Jonathan Ceglar – Paul Seedsman – Ben Sinclair
With Cameron Wood’s expected promotion to a full time AFL role, Ceglar is now the VFL’s no 1 ruckman. He showed nice signs of being a very capable tap ruckman this year and will share duties next year with Jarrod Witts.
Seedsman was another player in 2011 that started slow but really came on in the 2nd half of the season playing in the midfield. He should get ample opportunities to continue to develop his game in 2012 in the same role.
Sinclair made his AFL debut in 2011 but like Josh Thomas, has been plagued by injuries since being drafted. He got some great speed I would like to see him if we can develop him as a run with player in 2012.
INTER: Michael Hartley – Paul Cribbin –Caolon Mooney – Shae McNamara
Given his excellent performance on no 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton at the U18 state championships, it’s a safe bet that we will probably see Hartley spend the majority of time in the VFL as a tall defender. I’m hoping Presti can get away from the club shop at training and work with him one on one because he looks to be a good prospect.
Our two Irish rookies Cribbin and Mooney will probably be thrown everywhere this upcoming season to see which position may stick for a possible future AFL career. Cribbin didn’t show that much in my opinion in 2011 but as an international rookie, he was always going to get a 2nd season, as will Mooney in 2013.
As for Shae McNamara, he is about to enter his 3rd season on the rookie list and I’m not sure why. He has come a long way from his first appearance at the club and has definitely improved but not enough to consider him a legit AFL prospect. He didn’t do enough as a ruckman around the ground and doesn’t kick enough goals as a key forward. He did however have a best on ground VFL performance as the world’s tallest wingman. Did that performance seduce the coaching staff to bring him back for another year. At age 27 time is not on his side.
Rookie Draft Thoughts
I believe Collingwood has 4 choices for December rookie draft but will probably only have two live picks if they are committed to bring back Daniel Farmer and Trent Stubbs given they are contracted for 2012.
Pick 1: Tom Sundberg
Other potential picks: Kyal Horsley, Jack Crisp, Shane Nelson, Josh Waldhunter.
I think with the first rookie pick, the team will go for midfield. Thomas and Sinclair have been injured prone to date and Seedsman will only be in his 2nd year so more depth and probably a mature body is needed. I was hugely impressed with Sundberg VFL season and he deserves a chance to be on AFL list, I just hope it’s Collingwood’s as I would hate to see him wear another team’s colours knowing we had him in our backyard first. Horsley would be my 2nd choice if Sundberg wasn’t available.
Pick 2: Julian Dobosz
Other potential picks: Waylen Manson, Jai Sheahan, Fletcher Roberts, Brett Eddy.
Despite going tall forwards with the National draft selections, I still think the VFL team is a tall forward short. I have no confidence in Cameron Wood making it as an AFL player so if Jarrod Witts is fast tracked into the AFL we should have another tall forward as backup to help out Paine and Gault. Dobosz is probably unlikely to be available when our 2nd rookie pick comes around, but if he somehow was we should get him given his impressive performances for Tasmania. This is despite knowing that we will get another tall forward prospect in 2013 with likely father/son selection James Stewart. Manson is also unlikely to be available when our 2nd rookie pick comes around but he is another to take a punt on considering his talent should other teams continue to shy away from him.
Pick 3: Daniel Farmer
Farmer was drafted before Seedsman last year so it must be hugely disappointing for him to be passed on the depth chart. After watching him play in 2011, I don’t have any expectations on him lasting on the list beyond 2012.
Pick 4: Trent Stubbs
Another player whom I think will only be selected to complete his contract before being moved on for 2013 season.
B: Tyson Goldsack – Nathan Brown – Luke Rounds
I expect Goldsack to have a similar year in 2012 that he did in 2011 in that he will probably split time between both the AFL and VFL. Goldy is excellent depth and never lets the AFL team down but will always struggle to become an AFL regular when your main competitor for the 3rd tall defender role is the AFL captain Nick Maxwell.
For those supporters expecting Nathan Brown will jump straight back to AFL after a year off, I think you are sorely mistaken. Firstly Tarrant and Reid are a clear cut first choice at FB and CHB. Including Brown with these two, I think the team will be two top heavy, even allowing for the versatility of Tarrant who could swing forward. Also given Brown is coming off a major injury, the safe sensible option should be to take it slow and let Nathan get back some confidence and form in the VFL, especially for the first half of the season.
I believe this is Luke Rounds upcoming 4th year at the club and this year we saw a new role. After spending the majority of the first two years up forward and through the midfield, Rounds earned a promotion to AFL as a small defender and had a very good first game on Kangaroos skipper Brent Harvey. With Leon Davis departing, potentially there is a spot available for a small defender and Rounds could take it if he impresses in NAB Cup.
HB: Tom Young – Lachlan Keeffe – Simon Buckley
These three showed significant development in 2011 and proved that they are handy depth that can be called up by Nathan Buckley. Well except for Keefe, who proved that he is not a key forward substituting for the injured Chris Dawes. Keeffe should be returned to CHB where he can continue his development.
Young had a very strong finish to season 2011 and overtook his more experienced back flanker teammate later in the season when a senior opportunity became available due to injuries and suspension. He has got a lot of good tools and just needs a bit more experience.
I’m a fan of Simon Buckley. He’s got good size, quick and a great long kick. He can also push up from defense and be an effective winger too. Sometimes his decision making can cause fans minor heart attacks but I think his good qualities out weigh the bad. However given the emergence of Young and the return of Marty Clarke, he can’t afford to be complacent. A poor season could mean the chop at the end of the season given he has already been in the AFL system for 5 years.
C: Martin Clarke – Josh Thomas – Peter Yagmoor
Marty’s back and Collingwood paid a pretty hefty price to get him back by giving GWS their first round pick to prelist him. I don’t see him getting promoted straight to AFL like Andrew Krakouer did this year. I think he needs to start in VFL and earn any promotion. An interesting tidbit in Mick Malthouse’s new book revealed that Clarke wasn’t a fan of playing as a small defender and wanted to get more involved in the play. I think Nathan Buckley and Tarkyn Lockyer would be willing to accommodate that request by starting his 2nd Collingwood career from the wing. It will be very interesting how quick Clarke can get back to AFL and shake off the ‘rust’ after a year away.
Josh Thomas is facing a make or break season. He needs to stay away from the injury bug and string some games and consistency together. I’m looking forward to see him in 2012 and hopefully he can take some significant strides to becoming a good inside goalkicking midfielder that he showed promise in U18s. If he break down again, then he could be another unfortunate ‘Brad Dick’ situation come the end of 2012.
Peter Yagmoor was acquired in trade week from Gold Coast Suns. He’s slightly build so he will likely play outside in his first season. According to his draft profile he has elite kicking skills so hopefully we can see him stream forward from the wing in the VFL and stick a few down the FF’s throat.
HF: Brent Macaffer – Jackson Paine – Kirk Ugle
2011 was a year to forget for Macaffer and he almost lost his AFL career at the end of the season. Leon Davis shock decision to return back to WA earned Macaffer a reprieve and a one year contract. Basically because of injuries he just couldn’t get going. He can’t afford anymore injury setbacks this preseason and hopefully he can get his fitness base back and become the player we all saw play a very good role in 2010 premiership.
I’m very pleased at Jackson Paine being this team’s first pick in National draft. He is a genuine CHF that the VFL team didn’t have after Brett Eddy went down with injury. I can’t wait to see him action.
Ugle had a slow start in 2011 but I thought showed some pretty good form in the last few games of the season. After playing mainly as a forward pocket, I think this is the season we will see Ugle push forward more around the 50 and have an occasional run in the midfield.
F: Jaime Elliott – Jarrod Witts – Corey Gault
I must admit I know next to nothing on Elliott other than he hasn’t described on these boards as a Paul Medhurst type forward. If that’s the case, he should become a VFL fan favourite pretty quickly.
How long will Witts be in VFL in 2012? Not very long in my opinion given the impact he made last season featuring in the best players in every game he played with VFL team. Him and Ceglar should form a very effective ruck combination.
Gault, the team’s second pick in National draft will probably spend the entire year as the VFL’s 3rd tall forward. He is a project and although he has the height to ruck, we shouldn’t see him in that role this upcoming season due to his slight build. He is listed at only 84kg according to Inside Football.
FOLL: Jonathan Ceglar – Paul Seedsman – Ben Sinclair
With Cameron Wood’s expected promotion to a full time AFL role, Ceglar is now the VFL’s no 1 ruckman. He showed nice signs of being a very capable tap ruckman this year and will share duties next year with Jarrod Witts.
Seedsman was another player in 2011 that started slow but really came on in the 2nd half of the season playing in the midfield. He should get ample opportunities to continue to develop his game in 2012 in the same role.
Sinclair made his AFL debut in 2011 but like Josh Thomas, has been plagued by injuries since being drafted. He got some great speed I would like to see him if we can develop him as a run with player in 2012.
INTER: Michael Hartley – Paul Cribbin –Caolon Mooney – Shae McNamara
Given his excellent performance on no 1 draft pick Jonathon Patton at the U18 state championships, it’s a safe bet that we will probably see Hartley spend the majority of time in the VFL as a tall defender. I’m hoping Presti can get away from the club shop at training and work with him one on one because he looks to be a good prospect.
Our two Irish rookies Cribbin and Mooney will probably be thrown everywhere this upcoming season to see which position may stick for a possible future AFL career. Cribbin didn’t show that much in my opinion in 2011 but as an international rookie, he was always going to get a 2nd season, as will Mooney in 2013.
As for Shae McNamara, he is about to enter his 3rd season on the rookie list and I’m not sure why. He has come a long way from his first appearance at the club and has definitely improved but not enough to consider him a legit AFL prospect. He didn’t do enough as a ruckman around the ground and doesn’t kick enough goals as a key forward. He did however have a best on ground VFL performance as the world’s tallest wingman. Did that performance seduce the coaching staff to bring him back for another year. At age 27 time is not on his side.
Rookie Draft Thoughts
I believe Collingwood has 4 choices for December rookie draft but will probably only have two live picks if they are committed to bring back Daniel Farmer and Trent Stubbs given they are contracted for 2012.
Pick 1: Tom Sundberg
Other potential picks: Kyal Horsley, Jack Crisp, Shane Nelson, Josh Waldhunter.
I think with the first rookie pick, the team will go for midfield. Thomas and Sinclair have been injured prone to date and Seedsman will only be in his 2nd year so more depth and probably a mature body is needed. I was hugely impressed with Sundberg VFL season and he deserves a chance to be on AFL list, I just hope it’s Collingwood’s as I would hate to see him wear another team’s colours knowing we had him in our backyard first. Horsley would be my 2nd choice if Sundberg wasn’t available.
Pick 2: Julian Dobosz
Other potential picks: Waylen Manson, Jai Sheahan, Fletcher Roberts, Brett Eddy.
Despite going tall forwards with the National draft selections, I still think the VFL team is a tall forward short. I have no confidence in Cameron Wood making it as an AFL player so if Jarrod Witts is fast tracked into the AFL we should have another tall forward as backup to help out Paine and Gault. Dobosz is probably unlikely to be available when our 2nd rookie pick comes around, but if he somehow was we should get him given his impressive performances for Tasmania. This is despite knowing that we will get another tall forward prospect in 2013 with likely father/son selection James Stewart. Manson is also unlikely to be available when our 2nd rookie pick comes around but he is another to take a punt on considering his talent should other teams continue to shy away from him.
Pick 3: Daniel Farmer
Farmer was drafted before Seedsman last year so it must be hugely disappointing for him to be passed on the depth chart. After watching him play in 2011, I don’t have any expectations on him lasting on the list beyond 2012.
Pick 4: Trent Stubbs
Another player whom I think will only be selected to complete his contract before being moved on for 2013 season.
