Collingwood 2022 preview: Season predictions for Magpies

Collingwood has plenty of promising young talents, and a trio in particular can make the jump as they battle for midfield spots. Here’s why.

Can the Pies improve under new coach Craig McRae?

Collingwood dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2021.

A significant drop-off on-field saw the end of Nathan Buckley, while instability off it saw two presidents lose their jobs.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COLLINGWOOD’S PREDICTED BEST 22 FOR 2022

Will 2022 be a different story under new coach Craig McRae?

Nick Smart assesses the Magpies ahead of 2022.

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WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021?

It was a season of monumental change at Collingwood. It ended the year with a new coach and a new president from when it started and then another new president by Christmas.

On the field, the Magpies tumbled out of contention early to finish second last.

The side were ravaged by injuries and blooded a lot of youth while under the watchful eye of caretaker coach Robert Harvey as they certainly had one eye on a complete refresh for 2022.

Expectations will be tempered under McRae. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2022?

COACH: Craig McRae

CAPTAIN: Scott Pendlebury

There is the excitement of a new coach in Craig McRae, but expectations will not be high at Collingwood in 2022. The Magpies will need to demonstrate improvement, but McRae will get a grace period. How long that lasts will depend on the rate of improvement and proof of development. The rebuild started in 2021 and will continue into the new year. Although, there is some solid depth in the side after they blooded nine debutants in 2021. There are some reasons for optimism, but in the short term it appears likely to be another tough year at the Holden Centre.

BEST 22 IN ‘22

B: Howe, Roughead, Maynard

HB: Pendlebury, Moore, Quaynor

C: J. Daicos, Crisp, Noble

HF: Henry, Mihocek, Lipinski

F: Sidebottom, Cameron, Elliott

Foll: Grundy, De Goey*, Adams

Int: N. Daicos, Bianco, Macrae, Hoskin-Elliott

Emg: C. Poulter, J. Ginnivan, J. Madgen, C. Brown, M. Cox

BIGGEST IMPROVER

Isaac Quaynor was unquestionably Collingwood’s breakout player of 2021, but who will be the Magpies’ 2022 version? It looks like being a battle between youngsters Trent Bianco, Caleb Poulter and Finlay Macrae, with all three battling for the final midfield spots this summer. All three showed promising signs in this year and appear poised for a big 2022. Fellow youngster Reef McInnes is another who looms as a big prospect in 2022. Yet to make his debut, the former NGA product has some big wraps on him.

Trent Bianco showed promise after making his debut in 2021. Picture: Michael Klein

X-FACTOR

It has to be Jordan De Goey, despite his off-season exploits. His future at the club remains up in the air, but he remains the X-factor at Collingwood. His inconsistency frustrates supporters, as well as his habit to pick and choose, but when he’s on he’s a genuine matchwinner and explosive midfielder-forward. His best football has been as a deep forward, but his shift to the middle in the second half of 2021 was a winner. Assuming he hasn’t played his last game at Collingwood, it looms as a big year for De Goey, who is surely on his last chance at the Magpies. Oh, there is also a youngster by the name of Nick Daicos, who has arrived at Collingwood with huge hype surrounding him. If he’s not the best 18-year-old in the country, he’s in the top two. Former coach Nathan Buckley famously said earlier this year Daicos was good enough to be playing AFL this year had he been eligible. A lock for Round 1, assuming he’s injury free.

COACH STATUS

It is the honeymoon period for Craig McRae, who has arrived at Collingwood with plenty of goodwill and a million endorsements. The club has also put some very well credentialed coaches around him, with the highly regarded Justin Leppitsch and former Carlton coach Brendon Bolton in McRae’s coaching panel. It’ll be interesting to see what changes McRae brings to the way Collingwood plays. Barring an absolute disaster, the man known as “Fly” is safe as houses in 2022. Has signed a three-year deal and will face no external pressure for at least 12 months.

OUT OF CONTRACT

Aiden Begg, Ash Johnson, Beau McCreery, Caleb Poulter, Callum Brown, Darcy Cameron, Darcy Moore, Finlay Macrae, Isaac Quaynor, Jack Ginnivan, Jack Madgen, Jamie Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Jordan De Goey, Jordan Roughead, Josh Daicos, Liam McMahon, Mark Keane, Mason Cox, Nathan Murphy, Oliver Henry, Reef McInnes, Steele Sidebottom, Tom Wilson, Trent Bianco, Tyler Brown, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Will Kelly

INS FOR 2022

Nathan Kreuger (traded – Geelong), Patrick Lipinski (traded – Western Bulldogs), Nick Daicos (pick four), Arlo Draper (45), Cooper Murley (49), Harvey Harrison (42), Charlie Dean (rookie), Bassirou Faye (international rookie scholarship)

While Daicos stands out as the best long-term in, Lipinski will bolster the Magpies’ midfield after being stuck on the fringes of the Western Bulldogs. Exciting utility Arlo Draper was rated as a first-round talent, while 21-year-old key defender Dean, who the club snared in the rookie draft, could have an immediate impact after winning the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the best young talent in the VFL.

Patrick Lipinski joined Collingwood during the trade period. Picture: Collingwood Media

Lipinski struggled for opportunity at the Dogs. Picture: Getty Images

OUTS FROM 2021

Ruckman Max Lynch was developing nicely under Brodie Grundy, but left the club in search of greater opportunity.

Levi Greenwood (retired), Max Lynch (traded – Hawthorn), Chris Mayne (retired), Jay Rantall (delisted), Brayden Sier (delisted), Josh Thomas (retired), Anton Tohill (retired)

HOW THEY FARE IN FIRST SIX GAMES

Rd 1: St Kilda @ Marvel Stadium (L)

Rd 2: Adelaide @ MCG (W)

Rd 3: Geelong @ MCG (L)

Rd 4: West Coast @ Marvel Stadium (L)

Rd 5: Brisbane @ Gabba (L)

Rd 6: Essendon @ MCG (L)

Prediction: 1 win, 5 losses