Daniel McStay relishing extra support of Magpie Army as Pies train in Latrobe Valley

Collingwood recruit Daniel McStay says he is loving life in a traditional Aussie rules state and is impressed by two new Pies.

Daniel McStay says. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Daniel McStay says he has a lot to learn about the intricacies of his new club’s relationship with Carlton, but the key forward is eager to play in front of the full force of the Magpie Army.

McStay said his former club Brisbane was a match for any AFL side in terms of their training intensity and professionalism, but the chance to play in front of the sport’s biggest fanbase was driving him forwards during the pre-season.

“It’s been really exciting … obviously a massive club, a massive fanbase, and I feel very welcome from the staff, to the players and fans,” McStay said from Collingwood’s pre-season camp in the Latrobe Valley.

“I think you’re coming from a non-football state to a football state. You’re always fighting that uphill battle in the community to win the fans over, down here everyone just bleeds AFL so that’s probably the biggest change.

Daniel McStay is enjoying the extra attention of playing at a Melbourne club in his first pre-season with Collingwood. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Brisbane train has hard as anyone I’ve ever seen … there’s lots of similarities between the training and how hard the boys work, I think it’s just the market … to come to a team like that with the Magpie Army, it’s been amazing.”

McStay was excited by the potential of Collingwood’s refreshed forward group, which has also added small forward Bobby Hill from GWS.

“Big Mase (Cox) is a real pillar up there, Brody Mihocek has done a phenomenal job over the last few years really holding that post down,” McStay said.

“I think we’ve got a lot of flexibility, Darcy Cameron is a great ruck but can also get forward and kick goals. I don’t think it’ll just be me up there, I think we’ve got a lot of support.

“It’s so good to have guys like Jack Ginnivan and Bobby Hill at your feet as well.”

McStay and fellow recruit Billy Frampton contest a high ball in pre-season training, where Frampton has been a standout. Picture: Michael Klein

McStay also had plenty of praise for fellow key position recruit Billy Frampton, who he said had been a pre-season standout after crossing to his third AFL club in the off-season.

“At the moment Billy has probably been one of the standouts in pre-season playing that key position down back,” he said.

“He marks the ball incredibly well, uses the ball incredibly well, so he’s definitely been one that’s been a standout.

“He’s moved around a lot but I feel like coming to Collingwood he’s really cemented his place, he feels like this is home and I can’t wait to play alongside him for hopefully plenty of games to come.”

Former skipper Scott Pendlebury was “fine” after he limped off the field at Monday’s training session following a “small kick” to his lower leg, McStay said.