Jamie Elliott could be Pies’ finals wildcard as forward runs hot in contract year

Hall of Famer Brad Johnson says Jamie Elliott can be a game-changer this September as he hits his best form since 2015, finally overcoming back and hamstring issues. Can he jump the Cats on Friday night?

Jamie Elliott is back to his best. Pic: Getty Images

Hall of Fame forward Brad Johnson says Jamie Elliott has emerged as Collingwood’s finals wildcard as the free agent hits his best form since 2015.

Elliott will hit Friday night’s qualifying final in season-best form as a small forward who has found the fitness to push up onto the wing.

In the past two games he has kicked eight goals, had 21 score involvements and 11-inside 50 marks against Adelaide and Essendon.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SACKED PODCAST HERE

In both of those games he had seven shots at goal, including 5.2 in the win over the Crows and 3.4 against the Bombers.

Elliott is an unrestricted free agent but wants to stay at the Pies, with a bumper finals campaign pushing his case for a pay rise after signing a one-year deal after failing to play a senior game in 2018.

The Pies will slot in Jordan De Goey after hamstring issues as a deep forward as well as returning forward Jaidyn Stephenson, so Elliott’s role will need to be versatile.

But Johnson believes Elliott, 27 last month, has the miles under his belt to become a wildcard even if he plays time on the wing.

Stream every match of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming now >

Jamie Elliott has been hitting the scoreboard. Pic: AAP

Jordan De Goey is back from a hamstring issue. Pic: Getty Images

“He has the form to be that (wildcard). And I think when you look at it, everyone will look at De Goey, Stephenson and (Brodie) Mihocek so he’s sitting fourth in the pecking order but he is in the best form,” he said.

“He looks confident again and that’s the number one thing for Jamie Elliott.

“He looks confident in his body too. The talk at the start of the year was about Elliott and De Goey working together with one deep and one high and that has to work this week for them to be successful.

“Their line-up has flexibility so from there it is a combination of how quickly those two can get things back together.”

Elliott (23 goals) has the form to notch his fifth 30-goal season this year despite missing entire seasons in 2016 and 2018 due to back and hamstring complaints.

MORE NEWS:

Trades Unplugged: SuperFooty trade experts look at where the big names will be playing next season

Collingwood great Tony Shaw reveals the leadership lessons which turned Nathan Buckley into a great captain

Sacked Podcast: Tony Shaw’s high praise for Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury

While coach Nathan Buckley has pushed his versatility he did play only 12 per cent on the wing against Essendon — up from two per cent across the season — but could feature there more on Saturday given the star-studded Pies forward line.

De Goey had played more midfield time in the month before he was injured — including 60 per cent against Richmond — but given his lack of game time said this week he will start closer to goals.

Fox Footy expert Johnson, who kicked 558 in his 364 games with the Western Bulldogs, believes the next step is for Elliott to become more than a marking forward.

“I would love to see him get a couple of front-and-square goals this finals series. He is going to have to add more flexibility to his game in the next couple of weeks.”