Young Collingwood side takes on Carlton in pre-season practice match

Young draftee Trent Bianco put in a slashing audition off half back and former basketballer Tom Wilson impressed. But how did the rest of the Magpies go against the old enemy?

Rupert Wills gets in and under for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

Collingwood’s fleet of star forwards are on track to play in Round 1 with Jordan De Goey likely to take the field against Richmond on Sunday week.

A young Pies side missing 11 of its first-choice players was roundly beaten in the first three periods of a six-stanza contest against Carlton at Ikon Park on Thursday.

The Pies bounced back in the fourth period with five goals before both teams rested their stars but a team that just missed the Grand Final last year was clearly in tune-up mode.

Collingwood takes on Richmond at Wangaratta on March 1, with senior assistant Robert Harvey revealing post-match De Goey had made significant progress after a slow start to his summer.

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Taylor Adams won plenty of footy for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

Jaidyn Stephenson is back in full training after glandular fever while Jamie Elliott missed Thursday’s clash but played in last week’s contest against Geelong.

“(De Goey’s) last three week block has been really solid and intense,” Harvey said.

“From a physical point of view he is fine. We are just managing him back into training.

“He is a chance and I think he will play some minutes next week which is good. We have got time on our side. His body is fine, he is just building fitness into Round 1.

“From our point of view there are no real concerns on our list. We have a few long term injuries which are well documented but most of the guys are on track for Round 1.

“We had a lot out today, their minutes are being managed at the club. We have no real concerns about guys racing against the clock. Guys like Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson are on track. Elliott is fine but was managed out of today.”

Collingwood’s first-choice midfield of Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and Adam Treloar coasted around doing as they pleased.

But surrounding them were a bunch of raw-boned kids who will hope to get more opportunities in the coming weeks.

Josh Daicos was squeezed out of the senior side with only five senior games last year but will be determined to win a Round 1 spot after a busy display.

Darcy Cameron was quiet in his first hit-out for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

Former basketballer Tom Wilson showcased his athleticism and height with a handful of nice touches and a lovely left-foot goal while pick 45 Trent Bianco showed plenty of dash from half back.

Darcy Cameron was largely unsighted early and while he kicked a solitary goal from a handful of touches he will need to displace one of Mason Cox or Brody Mihocek by Round 1.

Missing from the Collingwood team were De Goey, Jeremy Howe, Tom Phillips, Jack Crisp, Brayden Maynard, Elliott, Jordan Roughead, Mihocek, Travis Varcoe, Stephenson and Ben Reid.

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Brayden Sier was concussed early, while the defence at times consisted of Darcy Moore and a band of kids including little-known Trey Ruscoe, father-son recruit Will Kelly and Mark Keane.

Matt Scharenberg was a steady presence at half back after being pushed out of the side for last year’s finals series and missing out on the change of scenery he had requested.

Originally published as Young Collingwood side takes on Carlton in pre-season practice match