AFL 2023: Oleg Markov gets second chance as Magpies flip on original decision
Oleg Markov was one of two players training for the only spot on Collingwood’s list — then missed out. Go inside the meeting where the dashing defender thought his career was over.
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New Collingwood defender Oleg Markov has credited Craig McRae with preventing him from walking away from football as he pushes for a round 1 berth at Friday’s Pies intra-club match.
New captain Darcy Moore and mid-forward Jordan De Goey will be the star attractions as the Pies play four quarters from 5pm at the fittingly named Hot Pies Summer Family Night, with temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees.
Moore has fully recovered from a worrying leg infection and De Goey is fully fit after late 2022 shoulder surgery.
Moore and De Goey’s availability means Collingwood will feel confident it is creeping closer to full strength for its round 1 clash against reigning premier Geelong.
Markov is only back on an AFL list after stints with Richmond and Gold Coast after an unfortunate recurrence of Charlie Dean’s foot injury, which capped a “bizarre” week for the 26-year-old.
Done with AFL football after two seasons at Gold Coast, he was lured back to train at Collingwood because of the bond he and McRae had shared in five seasons at Punt Road.
They are so close McRae’s daughter Charlie was in the same room when the Pies coach told him Collingwood would instead elevate SA ruckman Oscar Steene.
Then after a single session at Carlton — looking to replace Zac Williams — the Pies realised the extent of Dean’s injury and signed Markov as an additional summer rookie.
The deep-thinking, emotionally intelligent Markov told the Herald Sun McRae’s support had turned the fading embers of his career into a “bonfire” given his constant reassurance.
“A whirlwind is the best way to describe it. To be honest it’s been a bizarre journey and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Markov said.
“Fly’ has been a really big contributor to me having another crack in the AFL industry. I sat there with him and to be honest I was really keen to move on. Fly and my beautiful partner (former golf pro Becky Kay) put a lot of things in perspective.
“Fly doesn’t look at the fact that I am a skinny, scrawny, tattooed, moustachioed man. He sees all my strengths as a person and footballer and when I am lacking confidence in myself, ‘Fly’ has 10 different words he can describe me as, to get me out of a slump.
“On Saturday ‘Fly’ dragged me aside and we sat down with his daughter Charlie and I was fortunate to hear the bad news from them that Collingwood was going with Oscar. ‘Fly’ explained that was what they needed and I was lucky enough to have a few hugs from Charlie and she kept the tears in and allowed me to leave with a smile.
“It was some pretty deflating news but Fly had filled me with such confidence. I am actually getting a bit emotional now.”
Despite Collingwood’s unenviable decision Markov had no hesitation in accepting their offer only days later when circumstances change.
“I did a medical and training session there at Carlton and then on Thursday my manager said there was an opportunity for Collingwood (given Dean’s injury) and it was a no-brainer for me to come back,” he said.
“(Friday’s game) is a session for us too to get better and make some mistakes and get some bad kicks out. I know there is a spot potentially there (for round 1) but there are a lot of us young men fighting for that spot. It is the one who can be the most consistent to their role and provide as much positivity in that role.
“Fly’ has provided me with his love and support. It was genuine from having that relationship before. There weren’t any white lies, it wasn’t blowing smoke up someone’s bottom.
“Whichever level I play at I will feel valued and needed. I will be ready whether it’s at AFL level to slot in and perform or if I have to play VFL, which inevitably will happen, I am ready to pursue a leadership role in that sense.”
Pendles star struck by Aussie boxing marvel
Normally the cliched press conference with sports stars and celebrities at AFL clubs is exactly that.
Some fake smiles for the TV cameras, a jumper presentation and then a token kick of the Sherrin.
But there was something different about this one at Collingwood.
Scott Pendlebury was legitimately star struck meeting Tim Tszyu, the son of the legendary Kostya, who is on the publicity tour for the biggest fight of his career against American Tony Harrison in Sydney on March 12.
Pendlebury will be there after quickly working out his Magpies schedule and with it being the Sunday before round 1 he will have the day off.
“I’ll be flying up in the morning and straight back after it,” Pendlebury said. “I’m obsessed (with boxing), I love it.
“My grandfather loved it, then my Dad loved it and now my brothers and I love it.
“I watch it all the time, I love the technical side of the sport, I know it‘s two guys throwing hands but the strategy of it all I love and the training is crazy.”
Tszyu was pleasantly surprised by Pendlebury’s boxing IQ although he didn’t hide his own lack of AFL knowledge.
“In all honesty I haven’t watched a game before in my life,” he said. ”Now a Collingwood fan, it’s the start of my journey.”
Pendlebury’s journey without the captaincy — he gave it up to Darcy Moore — has progressed seamlessly with the 35-year-old enjoying attending less meetings.
“He (Moore) looks like a natural out there, his season last year was unbelievable and I‘m happy for him to get the role,” Pendlebury said. ”And my job now is to support that and be here if he needs anything.”
The Magpies have their first intra-club hitout on Friday night at Olympic Park while the Tszyu-Harrison fight will be live on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
Track watch: Surprise surgery, Daicos everywhere
— Chris Cavanagh
Former Carlton coach Brendon Bolton is back in the hot seat, taking charge of the Magpies as Craig McRae takes a break.
McRae was absent from training at Olympic Park on Monday as he recovers from minor surgery last week.
Bolton and fellow assistant coach Justin Leppitsch are taking the reins in his absence.
“Craig had surgery last week on a sinus-related condition, which he’s had since his playing days,” Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said.
“He will return to the club later this week and in the meantime Brendon Bolton and Justin Leppitsch are taking care of the program.”
The Magpies will stage an intra-club match on Friday night, ahead of an unofficial practice match against Carlton on February 24.
NICK EVERYWHERE
The intrigue over where Nick Daicos will play this year continues as pre-season practice matches approach.
The 2022 AFL Rising Star winner spent time training with both the midfielders and defenders on the track on Monday morning.
During some limited match simulation, he was used as the “money kick” going inside 50 given his silky foot skills.
Daicos played primarily in defence on debut last season, where he averaged 25.8 disposals.
However, it is widely expected he will spend more time up the ground this year.
NEAR FULL STRENGTH
While some clubs are dealing with some significant injury issues heading into round 1, the Magpies have close to a full bill of health.
Key forward Nathan Kreuger was away from teammates doing some work on the bike on Monday as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.
However, captain Darcy Moore (bone infection), ruckman Darcy Cameron (hamstring) and midfielder Finlay Macrae (back) all completed the full session after overcoming their recent issues.
Ruckman-forward Mason Cox appeared to roll his ankle during the session on Monday but returned to complete some running.
Other than Kreuger, Collingwood’s only other long-term injury issue is defender Charlie Dean (foot), who was last week placed on the club’s inactive list.
MARKOV GETTING STUCK IN
Collingwood’s newest recruit was in the thick of things after officially signing on last Friday.
Former Richmond and Gold Coast speedster Oleg Markov trained with the Magpies’ defenders on Monday as he looks to put his best foot forward in search of opportunities this year.
Markov had been training with Collingwood over the off-season and impressed, before being secured through the Pre-season Supplemental Selection Period.
Markov has played 51 AFL games since debuting in 2016, including 11 matches for the Suns last season.
Great reveals key area where Ginnivan can gain respect
– Jon Ralph
Goalkicking great Stephen Milne has backed Jack Ginnivan to avoid a third-year slump as remarkable statistics highlight the Collingwood livewire’s role as one of footy’s most lethal forwards.
Ginnivan’s breakout season saw him kick 40.19 in a superb year that saw the league forced to clarify its headhigh rules after a spate of contentious incidents involving the 20-year-old.
The league effectively tightened its own rule to ensure players ducking or struggling tacklers would not be awarded high-contact free kicks.
Ginnivan was handed only five free kicks in his last seven games but still rebounded to kick three goals in the semi-final victory over Fremantle.
Ginnivan drew the most high-tackle free kicks in the game last year (21) and also kicked the third-most goals from general free kicks behind Carlton pair Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay (both 11).
But Champion Data has revealed he was the clear No. 1 player across the competition when targeted inside 50 last year, scoring a goal 36 per cent of the time.
Brisbane’s Zac Bailey was well behind Ginnivan in second place (28 per cent) followed by Adelaide’s Josh Rachele and Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett.
Milne kicked 574 goals across his 275 games at St Kilda and having watched Ginnivan closely believes he can rise to the challenge of superior opponents and growing expectation.
“I watched him all year and he was so exciting. He had to endure all that pressure early from winning those free kicks and he did well to stop doing that and keep his feet at much as possible,” Milne told the Herald Sun.
“When you have a breakout year you can’t rest on your laurels. I hope he’s a lot fitter but nothing guarantees he will have a better year than last year.
“He is the kind of guy who lives on the edge and thinks the more publicity the better.
“He will have quiet games as a small forward but you need to get a better balance between quiet games and big games. In my second and third years I would have a few and then the next week have four disposals.
“If he can find that balance of being more consistent, everyone will really respect him.
“Hopefully he has had a good pre-season and isn’t living on last year. It was a pretty good year for Jack but I think he will thrive on the extra pressure and move forward getting the best defender each time.”
While Ginnivan will likely secure less free kicks again this year his 40.19 from 68 total shots ranked the 10th highest across the competition for accuracy, which helped his reputation as a low volume high impact player.
Milne believes the improving Collingwood forward line boasting mid-sized targets including Ash Johnson, Jamie Elliott, Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery and mid-forward Jordan De Goey will help lessen expectations.
“When you are 22 and your opponent is 27 you know you are in for a tough day. For me it as guys like Jared Crouch and Mark Johnson and Mark McVeigh. But as long as he is really fit and ready for the challenge he can take it head-on,” Milne said.
“Collingwood also gets so much ball inside 50 so he will have ample opportunities to kick goals and put pressure on.”
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