Collingwood track watch: Reef McInnes steps up in new look backline during match sim

Collingwood’s match sim session on Friday gave the clearest indication yet of how of how Craig McRae’s side will look in 2025 – and a born-again defender was right in the middle of it.

Born-again defender Reef McInnes is firming to feature in Collingwood’s new-look ‘A’ team backline to start 2025 as the Pies bounced out of the back half in Friday match simulation.

The Pies clearly broke into a first and second team for match sim, with McInnes stationed as a deep defender to start alongside mainstays Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and newcomers Josh Daicos and Dan Houston.

Reef McIness pointing directions. Picture: Michael Klein

Daicos’ move to a high defensive post appears locked in, while ex-Power rebounder Houston was typically prolific and incisive by foot during the session.

McInnes has been thrown back this summer after failing to break into the forward line last year as fellow defenders Billy Frampton and Charlie Dean couldn’t lock down a spot next to Moore.

Each of Dean, Frampton, Oleg Markov played in the ‘B’ team defence, wearing white.

Craig McRae appears keen to get back to the deadly rebound play the Pies showed in his first year at the club and Quaynor said the Houston-Daicos pairing would create that attack.

“They are elite ball users who make the right decisions every single time and they will just continue to generate really strong offence for us, which we are going to need this year,” Quaynor said after the session.

“(Houston) will obviously have a fair bit of attention on him as an offensive threat so maybe that might allow me to slip through and get a few more handball receives. Between him and Josh, I am really excited for the offence they will be able to create.”

Dan Houston is tipped for big things. Picture: Michael Klein

Houston has built a reputation in the last few years as one of the game’s best kicks, and Quaynor has been in awe of the new recruit since he joined the club in the off season.

“It is incredible what he can do with the football. His kick is one of the best I have seen so I am pumped to have front row seats to watch him do his thing this year,” he said.

McInnes’ entry to defence was the main surprise when selecting the ‘A’ side, who wore black.

Darcy Cameron, Scott Pendlebury, Nick Daicos and Harry Perryman started in the first centre bounce, with Steele Sidebottom and Pat Lipinski on the wings.

Rising onballer Ed Allen was left in the white team and won an early clearance against his fancied rivals.

Other notable players in white were Will Hoskin-Elliott, Ash Johnson and Lachie Sullivan.

Each of Dan McStay, Tim Membrey and Brody Mihocek played together in the forward half, with Membrey able to get his hands on the footy plenty of times early.

Bobby Hill practises his golf swing before training. Picture: Michael Klein

McStay was given the chance to rotate through the ruck as Cameron’s back up and then was thrown into the role properly when the teams were jumbled up after half-time.

The ex-Lion looked sharp, while Nick Daicos kicked a nice goal when sent for a rest in the attacking goalsquare.

Mason Cox wore white, with McRae facing a balancing act with his second ruck option this year.

Of the 21 players who started match sim wearing black, seven are over the age of 30 and none are under 22, highlighting the late age of the Collingwood’s list as it hunts for more premiership success.

No worries for Jamie Elliott on the Buddy arc from distance at Pies training this morning. Full track watch @codeaflau and @heraldsunsport shortly pic.twitter.com/7FaQQzkbjr

— Josh Barnes (@Josh__Barnes) February 7, 2025

WATCHING ON

Jordan De Goey said on Thursday he hoped to be back running on Friday, but he only made a very brief appearance by the side of the track and didn’t step out for any running while his teammates trained.

He is expected to get going on Monday after some bone bruising after a knock at training last week.

Tom Mitchell showed some positive signs in his return to running from a foot injury but technology didn’t help.

Jordan De Goey has a look. Picture: Michael Klein

Tom Mitchell loses his measuring device when running. Picture: Michael Klein

The midfielder wore some strapped-on equipment on his feet and ankles when warming up but despite restrapping it several times, the apparatus kept falling off and he ditched it.

But Mitchell completed a solid running session, while Harvey Harrison (knee) appeared to hit full speed as he carried on working away from the main group.

Fin Macrae and Dean finished the session with some running as match play continued.