Collingwood has ‘plenty of depth’ to cover for injured defender Reef McInnes, says Josh Daicos

Collingwood could turn to a premiership forward or a player with just one game worth of experience as it seeks a replacement for an injured key player.

Collingwood could turn to a premiership forward or a player with just one game of experience as its replacement for injured key defender Reef McInnes.

McInnes, who was earmarked as one of Collingwood’s defensive pillars alongside Darcy Moore this season, ruptured his ACL in Friday’s win over Western Bulldogs.

Wingman-turned-defender Josh Daicos is confident the Magpies have the depth to cover McInnes and is backing either Jakob Ryan or Billy Frampton to put their hand up.

“I think that’s one of the great parts of our squad, we’ve got really good depth back there, some boys playing really well in the VFL,” he said.

“Jakob Ryan has put together a great pre-season, played really awesome on the weekend and then someone really experienced like Billy Frampton could fill in.

“He’s played obviously plenty of AFL football and been in really strong form.”

Single-gamer Jakob Ryan is one of Collingwood’s potential replacements for injured backman Reef McInnes. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Behind the scenes with Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom

Ryan has played just one game of AFL in Collingwood’s premiership year of 2023.

The 20-year-old is the shorter option at 189cm compared with Frampton at 201cm.

Daicos said Collingwood would wrap its arms around McInnes after he was ruled out for the remainder of 2025.

“It’s really sad to see, Reef has put in a power of work and been playing some good football this year,” Daicos said.

“It’s so unfortunate for himself and the team because he’s such a pivotal player.

“We’ll miss him, right now we understand the importance of getting around him, in the long term supporting him as the rehab journey can be quite lonely.

“He’s in really good spirits.”

Collingwood has a bye this weekend before Carlton, Sydney, Brisbane and Essendon over the course of April.

Originally published as Collingwood has ‘plenty of depth’ to cover for injured defender Reef McInnes, says Josh Daicos