List analysis: Every Collingwood player rated, plus the silver lining on a horrid season
A season from hell may be over from a playing standpoint though there is more damage yet to be inflicted with tough calls impending on un-contracted Pies.
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Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has removed any doubt about his future, declaring he’s “not going anywhere”.
Comments the star midfielder made on Sunday about his want for a coaching apprenticeship at another club appeared to leave the door ajar for him to play elsewhere next year.
Pendlebury even said he would “have a look at” any opposition offer that included him continuing to play before transitioning into coaching.
But the 33-year-old took to social media on Tuesday morning to end the speculation about his immediate playing plans.
“Sorry for any confusion,” Pendlebury said.
“Just to clear it up – I want to be a one-club player and finish my playing career at Collingwood.
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Sorry for any confusion. Just to clear it up- I want to be a one club player and finish at my playing career at Collingwood. I’m open to coaching at another club AFTER My playing days. Collingwood Fam- I’m not going anywhere
— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) August 24, 2021
“I’m open to coaching at another club AFTER my playing days. Collingwood Fam – I’m not going anywhere.”
The Magpies have presented Pendlebury with a one-year offer and he expects to sign a new contract soon, while conceding he isn’t as big a re-signing priority these days.
Collingwood is also still yet to lock in Nathan Buckley’s senior coaching successor, with contender Don Pyke dropping out of the race on Monday.
“What we’re trying to work through is what’s best for both the club and myself,” Pendlebury told Triple M.
“When you get to this age, you are slightly lower on the priority list than the young guys and getting a new coach.
“I do have ambitions to coach – I’ve said that – and I’d like to step away from our football club and get some experience elsewhere. Ever since I was 17, all I’ve known is this football club.
“But I’ve been on record saying I want to be a one-club player. Hopefully we nut something out soon.”
Pendlebury’s season ended a month ago, when he sustained a hairline fracture in his lower left leg against Port Adelaide.
He averaged 23 disposals and four clearances in 18 matches this year, swelling his overall games tally to 334.
The Pies slumped to second-last on the ladder because of Adelaide’s final-round defeat of North Melbourne.
LIST ANALYSIS: HOW DO PIES RECOVER FROM DISASTROUS YEAR?
Nick Smart
It’s been the season from hell for Collingwood.
The Magpies ended the season 17th on the ladder – their worst ever finish – just three years after being only 90 seconds away from winning a premiership.
In the past 12 months there has been a change of president, a change of football boss, a departed list boss, a senior coaching departure and an unresolved, ongoing board challenge all occurring.
So, is it all bad news for the Magpies?
No.
The upside is the Pies have blooded and given good game time to a number of its youngsters this year, with the likes of Oliver Henry, Trent Bianco, Finlay Macrae and Mark Keane all showing great signs,
The highly rated Nick Daicos will also join his brother on the Pies’ list at the end of the year.
Regardless, the Magpies are in a big rebuild.
“We have got some positive steps going forward with a good young group,” Magpies caretaker coach Robert Harvey said on Sunday.
NICK SMART’S ANALYSIS OF EVERY PIE
1. Jay Rantall Age 20 Games 5 Status: Out of contract
Finally broken into the Pies’ senior side this year. Has been a standout at VFL level and is a terrific runner. Showed good pluck as a tagger in the last game by keeping Darcy Parish largely quiet. He may have found a role, and it should help him win a new dal.
2. Jordan De Goey Age 25 Games 118 Status: Contracted until 2022
Before the second half of this season, De Goey’s best footy had been as a forward. Although, his move to the middle has been an inspired one this season. If he can maintain his consistency and his work rate, 2022 looks like a huge year. Think Christian Petracca this year.
3. Isaac Quaynor Age 21 Games 35 Status: Contracted until 2022
Has quickly developed into a key cog down back. His explosive ability to break lines and generate run out of the backhalf has been a rare highlight in a dirty year for the Pies. Was included in the 40-man squad for the 22 under 22 squad.
4. Brodie Grundy Age 27 Games 171 Status: Contracted until 2027
It’s been a mostly strong season for the star big man, whose long-term contract continues to generate debate among the football community. At times he showed why he is one of the game’s best ruckmen, but it’s been hard to measure up to the incredible benchmark he set in 2018 and 2019.
5. Jamie Elliott Age 28 Games 136 Status: Contracted until 2022
What a career Elliott might have had if not for persistent injuries. That’s not to say he’s been a bust. Far from it, but injury kept him to 13 games this year and 2015 was the last time he played 20 games in a season. When he’s fit and playing, he is so important. Still has time though.
6. Tyler Brown Age 21 Games 16 Status: Contracted until 2022
Managed just seven games this season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in June. Still has a year remaining on his current deal and needs a big 2022.
7. Josh Daicos Age 22 Games 52 Status Contracted until 2022
Has been classy on a wing rotating through the middle, and at 22 still has plenty of upside left in him. Oh, and he’s about to be joined by younger brother, Nick, at Collingwood. You may have heard a bit about him.
8. Trent Bianco Age 20 Games 11 Status: Contracted until 2022
The lifelong Collingwood supporter quickly adapted to AFL level after making his debut early in the year. As a classy and versatile player with good kicking skills, Bianco should have a long career at the Magpies.
9. John Noble Age 24 Games 44 Status: Out of contract
Very few at Collingwood seem to try harder than Noble. A determined defender, Noble has played every game this season and is said to be close to signing a new deal with the Pies.
10. Scott Pendlebury Age 33 Games 334 Status: Out of contract
Didn’t the Pies captain throw a bomb on the day of Collingwood’s last game for the year when he said he’d consider a player-coaching deal from rival club? While he declared days after that he is not going anywhere, a club like Gold Coast would surely pick up the phone.
11. Mark Keane Age 21 Games 5 Status: Contracted until 2022
The Irish defender looms as Jordan Roughead’s heir apparent. A strong intercept player with a promising future. Was given permission to return home two weeks early this year given Covid disruptions.
12. Tom Wilson Age 24 Games 4 Status: Out of contract
Had a solid year at VFL level in between four senior games, which included his debut against Sydney in Round 9. It remains to be seen whether the former basketballer will stay at the club beyond this year.
13. Taylor Adams Age 27 Games 165 Status: Contracted until 2024
There is little doubt that Adams is the captain in waiting at Collingwood. Missed a fair chunk of the season through injury, but he won plenty of the ball when he was on the park. His delivery by foot remains a concern.
14. Darcy Cameron Age 26 Games 29 Status: Out of contract
Has been a solid year for the former Swan, who produced the best season of his career to date. Contested well as a back-up ruck and forward to largely keep Mason Cox and Max Lynch out of the 22.
15. Max Lynch Age 22 Games 3 Status: Out of contract
Has suffered as a result of Cameron’s breakout year. The back-up ruck played only two games this season despite promising showings against Adelaide and Melbourne. Out of contract and vulnerable to a recruiting raid.
16. Chris Mayne Age 32 Games 248 Status: Retired
The former Docker appeared to be a costly recruiting blunder after managing just three games in his first year at Collingwood in 2017. Turned it around to become a very solid and dependable defender/wingman and a terrific clubman.
17. Callum Brown Age 23 Games 64 Status: Contracted until 2022
Brown’s season ended with shoulder surgery following a dislocation suffered against Carlton in Round 18. Like his younger brother, 2022 is a contract year and he needs to make an impact.
18. Finlay Macrae Age 19 Games 9 Status: Contracted until 2022
Needs a summer or two in the gym, but the first-year Pie has bucket loads of upside and should develop nicely into a genuine midfielder. Showed great signs in Round 19 with 21 disposals against Port Adelaide, when he spent time on Travis Boak.
19. Levi Greenwood Age 32 Games 160 Status: Retired
The former Kangaroo was forced into retirement earlier this season due to concussion. It was a sad end for a very respected player across two clubs.
20. Will Kelly Age 20 Games 3 Status: Contracted until 2022
The son of former premiership player Craig, Kelly looks a player who can play at both ends, but he just needs some luck with injury.
21. Trey Ruscoe Age 19 Games 13 Status: Out of contract
Has played forward and back so far, but now looks settled in defence and looks a prospect. Expected to soon win a new deal.
22. Steele Sidebottom Age 30 Games 264 Status: Contracted until 2022
At times it looked like the end was coming quickly for the Collingwood champion. In other games he looked energised with plenty of footy left in him. Next year looms as his swan song.
23. Jordan Roughead Age 30 Games 200 Status: Contracted until 2022
The former Bulldogs premiership player has been a solid and dependable defensive pillar for the under siege Magpies all season. Played all but one game this year.
24. Josh Thomas Age 29 Games 123 Status: Out of contract
The jury is out on whether Thomas will be offered a new contract. Had a decent season, but has failed to reach the heights of his best in 2018.
25. Jack Crisp Age 27 Games 175 Status: Contracted until 2023
Arguably Collingwood’s best player this season, playing across halfback and into the midfield at times. Has been a ball-winning machine and is ultra consistent. Should win the Copeland Trophy.
26. Reef McInnes Age 18 Games 0 Status: Contracted until 2022
McInnes was the only one of Collingwood’s first round picks from last year who failed to make his senior debut this season. Although, the speedy 193cm midfielder performed well in the VFL and should get his chance in 2022.
27. Caleb Poulter Age 18 Games 11 Status: Contracted until 2022
The mulleted Poulter was thrust onto a wing this season in the absence of Tom Phillips and showed plenty of class. Needs to put on more size, but a very promising prospect.
28. Nathan Murphy Age 21 Games 17 Status: Contracted until 2022
Tries hard and is courageous but needs more weapons to add to his arsenal. Still trying to nail down a position, but does he have the skill set to do that?
29. Liam McMahon Age 19 Games 0 Status: Contracted until 2022
Didn’t play a senior game this year, but the young key forward was always going to be a long-term project. Buy shares in him.
30. Darcy Moore Age 25 Games 102 Status: Contracted until 2022
Re-signing Moore – who is out of contract at the end of next year – will be a priority for football boss Graham Wright. A PCL knee injury in Round 13 ended his season.
31. Beau McCreery Age 20 Games 13 Status: Contracted until 2022
A good year for McCreery, who made his debut in Round 3 on the way to 13 games. Is putting his hand up to be a permanent defensive forward next year.
32. Will Hoskin-Elliott Age 27 Games 157 Status Contracted until 2022
The versatile Hoskin-Elliott has been a consistent contributor for the Magpies since crossing from the Giants at the end of 2016.
33. Jack Ginnivan Age 18 Games 5 Status Out of contract
The rookie-listed teenager got his chance late in the year and made his presence felt up forward. Should get another opportunity.
34. Isaac Chugg Age 19 Games 0 Status: Out of contract
The Tasmanian is yet to play a game and is out of contract. In his favour is that he’s a small back pocket type, which Collingwood does not have a lot of.
35. Oliver Henry Age 19 Games 10 Status: Contracted until 2022
Has all the hallmarks of developing into a genuine star. A very strong debut season up forward with the promise of many more to come.
36. Brayden Sier Age 23 Games 28 Status: Out of contract
Where to for Sier? It looks like his time at Collingwood may be up. Has been unlucky and could argue he’s had a lack of opportunity, but the likes of Macrae and other younger players appear to be going past him.
37. Brayden Maynard Age 24 Games 138 Status: Contracted until 2022
There had been some scuttlebutt the gun defender wants a trade at the year’s end, but that has been denied by his management. Although, it’s been reported he’s waiting for a new coach to be appointed before signing a new deal.
38. Jeremy Howe Age 31 Games 195 Status: Contracted until 2022
Another injury interrupted season for the high-flying defender, who returned late in the season after a lengthy lay-off due to hamstring issues. Captained the side in the final game of the year.
39. Aiden Begg Age 18 Games 0 Status: Contracted until 2022
Is yet to play a senior game after being nabbed in the mid-season draft. A key position player who will need time to develop.
40. Ashley Johnson Age 23 Games 0 Status: Contracted until 2022
Like Begg, Johnson was taken in the mid-season draft and is an unknown at AFL level. An explosive tall forward who starred at SANFL level before being taken by the Pies.
41. Brody Mihocek Age 28 Games 79 Status: Contracted until 2023
Mihocek’s year ended with a one-game suspension. Before that he booted 34 goals to be the Magpies’ leading goalkicker for the year.
43. Anton Tohill Age 21 Games 1 Status Out of contract
Had a good year at VFL level but the Irishmen managed just one senior game for the year and remains out of contract.
44. Jack Madgen Age 28 Games 40 Status Out of contract
Managed 19 games this season but is out of contract and still behind the likes of Jordan Roughead, Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe down back, while Mark Keane is also showing promise.
46. Mason Cox Age 30 Games 76 Status: Out of contract
The American Pie played just seven games this year and appears to be out of favour, kept out of the side by Darcy Cameron. If his time at the Pies is up, at least he can always claim to have almost single-handedly stopped Richmond from winning four consecutive flags.
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