James Aish says 2018 success proved to Collingwood players they can match best teams

Magpies defender James Aish says getting a taste of finals football last year has only steeled Collingwood’s resolve to go one step further in 2019 as he returns to full training after off-season surgery.

Tom Langdon and James Aish have a laugh. Picture: Michael Klein

James Aish says getting a taste of finals football last year has steeled Collingwood’s resolve to go one step further in 2019.

Aish, 23, will be cleared for all contact drills in coming weeks following off-season shoulder surgery.

The emerging defender, having played just 36 games in three seasons since leaving Brisbane, said the Grand Final loss to West Coast instilled belief in the Magpies despite the “shattering result”.

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“We know what sort of team we can be and we just have to take it further,” Aish told the Herald Sun.

“We should go into the year with confidence that we can be a really good team.

“It does drive you, getting pretty well a kick away from winning a premiership, it shows how close we were.

James Aish is tackled by Dayne Beams at Collingwood training.

“We need a lot of things to go our way (during the year) and it’s not a given that we’ll be back, ever, really, but we know as a team we can be very dangerous.”

The Magpies spent last week in Gold Coast, the preseason getaway allowing Nathan Buckley’s men to ramp up training but also run game-specific tactical meetings.

Aish, determined to lock down a role across half back this season, said being able to spend an entire week with teammates could only be a positive.

“We’re a pretty tight group,” Aish said.

“I guess through last year we were able to build a lot of chemistry and relationships together, being away adds a different element … I think the more time you get to know your teammates the more enjoyable it is to play together and you want to work hard together, it goes hand-in-hand.”

Lewis Jetta under pressure from James Aish. Picture: Mark Stewart

Aish hit the ground running last year but a posterior cruciate ligament straight brought his season to an abrupt halt, but the son of a South Australian legend still managed 13 games including four finals.

He could receive additional help surging out of the backline with explosive draftee Isaac Quaynor making a strong case for immediate selection.

“Isaac is obviously going to be a good player, he’s already a man mountain,” Aish said.

“I could see him playing pretty early.”

With Matt Scharenberg (ACL) and Lynden Dunn (ACL) not expected back until mid-year ex-Bulldogs utility Jordan Roughead will also get the chance to break into Buckley’s best 22.

Collingwood will open its JLT Series against Fremantle on March 4 in Joondalup, Western Australia.