AFL 25: Glenn McFarlane names his Collingwood team of the century so far

Jolly or Grundy? Howe or Maxwell? What about De Goey? Glenn McFarlane had to make some big calls in his Collingwood team of the century. Now you can too. Select your team HERE.

Two stunning premiership victories, a thrilling grand final draw, plenty of controversies and a few heartbreaking near-misses … It’s been a wild, intoxicating ride for Collingwood fans across the first 25 seasons of the 2000s.

The Magpies have delivered exceptional value for money, playing off in 15 finals series since 2000 after finishing the 1999 season anchored on the bottom of the ladder.

For a club that went 32 years without a flag in the second half of last century, the 2010 and 2023 titles saw it drawn level with bitter rivals Carlton and Essendon on 16 premierships.

Who’s going to get to No.17 first?

Choosing a best Collingwood team from 2000 to now is fraught with danger. Complexities and controversies lurk on every line, so we needed a criteria.

It ended up being a minimum of 40 games from 2000-2024, which ruled out stars including Gavin Brown, who only played 15 games in that time frame.

Nathan Buckley in action during the 2003 grand final. Picture: Julian Smith

The onballers gave up mouthwatering options – Nathan Buckley, Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan are the logical starting mids, which releases Nick Daicos (a lock after just 70 games) to a half-back flank.

Steele Sidebottom and Dale Thomas are logical wingers, while Scott Burns (half-back) and interchange players Paul Licuria, Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos are Copeland Trophy winners who can also play midfield.

Is Jordan De Goey a little lucky given his lack of best and fairest placings? Perhaps. But how can you not want to use his explosive burst as a bench player or the sub.

Brodie Grundy edged out Darren Jolly and Josh Fraser for the No.1 ruck role, given he is the only Collingwood ruckman of the 2000s to win a Copeland Trophy (he won two) and win an All-Australian blazer (twice).

Was Nick Maxwell an all-time great? Maybe not on his individual output, but he was an inspirational captain, and it would be wrong not to choose him for his leadership qualities.

They wouldn’t have won the 2010 flag without him.

Presti and Darcy Moore were contrasts in style – an uber-dour defender who didn’t need to get a touch to lock down on an opponent alongside the attack-at-all costs modern backman forever assessing the risk v reward strategies before pulling the trigger.

Gee, Jeremy Howe was stiff. He has been a star for Collingwood since crossing over from Melbourne in 2016.

James Clement won two B&Fs from deep in defence, Heath Shaw gave great run and cheek in equal dosage and would be an infectious inclusion in this side, even if it comes at the exclusion of his former teammates Ben Johnson and Heritier Lumumba.

And Brayden Maynard is bloody unlucky to miss … another season or two and he could be in!

Brody Mihocek was one of the stiffest to miss out, having won five consecutive club goalkicking awards. But heart and soul barometer Anthony Rocca, along with Travis Cloke and Chris Tarrant, could not be overlooked.

Imagine a forward line where Alan Didak, Leon Davis, De Goey and Jamie Elliott could run amok, it would be worth the admission price alone.

You wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off the contest when they are around the ball because something would be bound to happen.

As for the coach, it had to be Mick Malthouse, even if Craig McRae deserves a shout out as he has one flag already and is chasing another this year.

But Malthouse took over a wooden spoon team in late 1999, and led them to four grand finals and a memorable premiership in his time in the role.

Originally published as AFL 25: Glenn McFarlane names his Collingwood team of the century so far