Lachie Keeffe, Josh Thomas to be rookie listed as Collingwood’s list depth gives Pies options

COLLINGWOOD says the immense depth it has spent several years building will allow it to absorb the recruitment of Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Josh Thomas is tackled by Lachlan Keeffe during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at Olympic Park on July 9, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

COLLINGWOOD says the immense depth it has spent several years building will allow it to absorb the recruitment of Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas.

That midfield depth will also see Dane Swan playing mostly as a midfield-forward next year and Scott Pendlebury spending time away from the centre square.

Pies recruiting boss Derek Hine confirmed on Friday the club would rookie-list the suspended pair with the last two of four Collingwood rookie selections.

The rookie draft takes place on Friday November 27, three days after the national draft, with no other club interested in the pair.

They will not play or train with the Pies in any capacity next year given they are serving drug suspensions for the use of clenbuterol.

But a weak draft that sees the Pies taking few picks and a list packed with senior experience means Collingwood is prepared to accept the blow.

“We are committed to the boys. Clearly they will be standing out of footy for a long time,’’ Hine said.

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“It is a substantial commitment to us in managing our list as well and it’s something we have to think through.

“Two years is a long time and who knows at the end of that period if they want to continue.

“It’s going to be a challenging year for them and I don’t think anyone hand on heart can envisage where they are at.

“But all we can say is they are in a really good space and we will see how it goes.

“We have put our list lodgement in and there are only two boys on it and Mason Cox who haven’t played senior footy.”

American Mason Cox nearly made his senior debut late and Jarrod Witts finally dodged post-season surgery, so the Pies believe they have three legitimate ruckmen.

Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas are currently serving drug bans. Picture: Getty

But it is the addition of Adam Treloar and James Aish and emergence of a deeper midfield that gives the Pies options.

“We think the profile of the list is really strong. We are one of the few clubs in the competition to have three genuine rucks and Cox has scope to play forward or ruck.

“Jackson Ramsay showed promise early then missed the whole year, we have Jordan de Goey and Jack Crisp, Brent Macaffer comes in as a senior recruit and Levi Greenwood will be healthy.

“We are really looking forward to ‘Swanny’ playing forward a lot more this year. He really enjoys the role.

“You will see Scotty (Pendlebury) and Dane playing in different positions at times. Scott even played back at times this year. Against Geelong this year he was outstanding at halfback.”

Hine has only picks 27, 66 and 77 in a national draft he has never rated and might take only one live pick.

He is reticent to take too many late selections that will see the club locked into offering two-year contracts for 18-year-olds who might never make it.

Keeffe and Thomas admitted to taking illicit drugs that were unwittingly laced with clenbuterol, handing them two-year bans from ASADA.