Collingwood has exciting youngsters but boring game style has stagnated list

Collingwood has some of the best young players in the league, so why are they struggling? Ex-Pies recruiter Matt Rendell gives us the inside word.

Taylor Adams injured his knee against the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

Collingwood has assembled one of the AFL’s best bunch of teenagers but boring ball movement has dropped the Magpies from premiership fancies to flops, according to a former club recruiter.

Matthew Rendell said their “slow, methodical and conservative” game style had “killed the forwards” since the Magpies stormed into the 2018 Grand Final.

But Rendell, who worked at Collingwood from 2012-2020, said a super 2020 draft for the under-siege Pies could provide five of their best 22 players by 2023.

Rendell said top pick Oliver Henry (No. 17) played in the mould of Geelong’s triple-premiership champion Steve Johnson.

He ranked outside midfielder Finlay Macrae, who will make his AFL debut against West Coast on Friday night, the eighth-best player in last year’s draft – 11 places before he was taken.

“And I reckon they’ve got two of the best young key backs in the comp in (Will) Kelly and (Mark) Keane,” Rendell told the Herald Sun.

Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Finn Macrae will debut for Collingwood to help cover the absent Taylor Adams. Picture: Getty

The Pies ranked No. 3 in attack in 2018 as Jordan De Goey (48 goals), Will Hoskin-Elliott (42), Jaidyn Stephenson (38), Josh Thomas (38), Brody Mihocek (29) and Mason Cox (25) clicked.

But they ranked 13th last year and have dropped to 16th this season.

“Too many of their forwards have just gone backwards because of the way they play,” Rendell said.

“In 2018 it was off the back of one thing: they took the game on and went quick.

“If you want examples, the final last year against West Coast they took the game on and De Goey cut them to ribbons.

“Then they go slow. They go quick against Carlton and they look dangerous again, then they go slow.

“You’d think the penny would drop, wouldn’t you.”

Collingwood premiership coach Michael Malthouse said Buckley must swing Darcy Moore forward and play Brodie Grundy out of the goalsquare at times to kick a winning score.

“Darcy Moore can be a match-winner forward of centre. Do you want him to save the game or do you want him to win the game?” Malthouse said.

Moore has been one of Collingwood’s best all season. Picture: Getty

Darcy Moore flies for a mark against GWS. Picture: Michael Klein

“He marks everything and he’s a very accurate kick. It’s like having the best soccer side but no striker – you don’t win.”

The Magpies did not replace gun midfielder Adam Treloar after last year’s tumultuous trade period, and still covers $300,000 of his yearly salary to play for the Bulldogs.

Rendell said dropped onballer Tyler Brown should play every week and floated wingman Josh Daicos as a possible game-changer in the centre.

But Rendell said too many kids “have lost their way”.

Clearance beast Brayden Sier has not sustained his 12-game charge in 2018 while Nathan Murphy has not been sighted in three years.

Rendell said Sier must remain in the 22 with Taylor Adams (knee) injured.

Murphy is due to return from concussion in the VFL this week. Rendell described Jay Rantall as a “running machine” and said Kelly could star at either end.

Buckley admitted after Saturday’s shock loss to Greater Wesetern Sydney that they needed to review their game plan.

The Magpies’ mark-and-play-on percentage is ranked 17th in the league while they are ranked 14th for territory and they scored from just 28.8 per cent of inside 50s against the Giants — the third-worst percentage recorded this season.

Will Kelly is on the comeback trail after breaking his collarbone in a pre-season game. Picture: Getty

RENDELL ON COLLINGWOOD’S YOUNGSTERS

MARK KEANE, 21 (Category B rookie, Ireland)

194cm def, Games 1

“I’ve got really high hopes for him playing as a key back. You were sort of hoping that if he got up and played he could release Darcy (Moore) out of there. He’s super competitive, he’s got really good composure ball in hand – he doesn’t get flustered – but he just needs a season to play back there. Not on the best (key forwards), but on the second-best ones. He’s really good athletically. He never worries about getting pinged or anything like that.”

WILL KELLY, 20 (No. 19 in 2018 draft)

194cm def/fwd, Games 1

“Will Kelly could be a super key back. I know Kelly played forward, but I’ve seen him play juniors as a very, very good defender – more of a lockdown. I think he could go forward or back.”

FINLAY MACRAE, 19 (No. 19 in 2020 draft)

187cm mid, Games 0 *Will make his debut on Friday

“I had Finlay Macrae at No. 8 (in last year’s draft). He was a good pick by them, I think he’s going to be a really good player. He’s left and right – dual-sided – and not super athletic, but just reads it very well and uses the ball very well. He’s not manic, just a very, very intelligent midfielder.”

Trey Ruscoe has played six career games so far. Picture: Michael Klein

TREY RUSCOE, 19 (No. 55 in 2019 draft)

193cm fwd, Games 6

“I know they’ve played him as a forward, but he was a defender – and he looked a good one to me. But the defence has been a rock-solid back seven, so they found him a spot in the forward line, but not quite. I think he’s going to be a good player for them.”

TRENT BIANCO, 20 (No. 45 in 2019 draft)

188cm mid, Games 0

“He’s a dual-sided winger. I liked him as a junior, so be patient. He’s a lot like (Round 4 Rising Star) Lachie Sholl from Adelaide. He’s a smart player who uses the ball really well.”

OLIVER HENRY, 18 (No. 17 in 2020 draft)

189cm fwd, Games 1

“Henry’s going to be a really good player for them. You can’t go off that one game at the start of the year. He’s got a lot of Stevie J about him – footy smarts, kicks goals in lots of different ways, marks the ball and is good on the ground. He’ll play that hybrid up-the-ground (and) deep forward-type role. He’ll cause some headaches.”

TYLER BROWN, 21 (No. 50 in 2017 draft)

192cm mid, Games 12

“I really like Tyler Brown, I was disappointed they dropped him last week. You’ve just got to play Tyler Brown. I’d just be playing him in the middle and (saying), ‘Tyler, go for your life’ instead of stuffing around on a wing. I’d be getting Tyler back in and playing him every game for the year.”

Nathan Murphy has been on the cusp of senior selection. Picture: Michael Klein

Tyler Brown was dropped after the loss to Brisbane. Picture: Michael Klein

NATHAN MURPHY, 21 (No. 39 in 2017 draft)

192cm fwd, Games 2

“I’d love to see him play as a third tall forward along with (Mason) Cox and (Brody) Mihocek and (Jordan) De Goey. We were going to take Murphy at No. 6 if (Jaidyn) Stephenson was gone, and he ended up being there at No. 39. He’s 21, he’s a late birthday (December 15). I’d like to see him get a go and just leave him in.”

LIAM McMAHON, 19 (No. 31, 2020 draft)

197cm fwd, Games 0

“A lead-up key forward who is a beautiful field kick and kick for goal. The way the game is played now is perfect for him and (Poulter) with a bit of space.”

CALEB POULTER, 18 (No. 30, 2020 draft)

193cm fwd, Games 0

“A left-footer and smooth-moving third tall. He looked good in 2019 and has improved again. He was a sneaky, good pick at No. 30.”

… AND THE NEXT ONE IN

NICK DAICOS (Likely No. 1 pick as a father-son in 2021)

“I saw him play with (Matthew) Rowell and (Noah) Anderson and he was as good as them on the day – and he was three years younger. He’s got some tricks in the bag, he kicks goals, he’s a natural drawer of the ball, he’s always in the right spot at the right time, he uses it really well, he’s got good composure and he kicks goals no matter where he is. He’s a similar build to his old man. He doesn’t have to think about it – he’s in the right place at the right time all the time. He never looks knackered. When he learns to actually extend himself as far as his running capabilities he’s just going to rack them up.”

Nick Daicos is the son of Peter Daicos and brother of Magpie Josh Daicos. Picture: Alex Coppel.

CARLTON: MARCHBANK SUFFERS ACL INJURY

Hard-luck Blue Caleb Marchbank will be more than two years removed from his last AFL game by the time he plays again after rupturing the ACL in his left knee.

The 24-year-old defender sustained the injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s VFL practice game against Box Hill.

Marchbank underwent scans on Sunday that confirmed Carlton’s worst fears.

Blues football boss Brad Lloyd said it was another disappointing setback for the ex-Giant, who’s suffered repeated injuries since being the No. 6 pick in the 2014 AFL Draft.

“Caleb has been through an incredible amount of adversity and the way he has dealt with it all is a testament to his quality as a person, as well as a professional,” Lloyd said.

Caleb Marchbank hasn’t been seen at AFL level since 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

“There is no denying football can be unfair sometimes, especially considering how hard Caleb had worked to get his body right to play his best football once again.

“As disappointed as we all are, it does not change our belief in Caleb and the unwavering support we will provide him every step of the way through his rehabilitation.

“We’re sure that support will be echoed by our members and supporters.”

Knee and leg issues ruined Marchbank’s 2020 campaign, while a neck fracture ended his 2019 season prematurely.

His list of injuries includes back stress fractures, a torn meniscus in his right knee, a serious ankle setback and a dislocated right shoulder