Every Collingwood player rated for 2020: Contracts, trade whispers and players to watch in 2021
Former Collingwood recruiter Matt Rendell has urged the Magpies to trade one of the club’s biggest stars to free up cap space for a serious crack at luring Jeremy Cameron. But will his plan work?
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Former Collingwood recruiter Matt Rendell has urged the Magpies to trade star ruckman Brodie Grundy to free up cap space for a serious crack at luring GWS Giants forward Jeremy Cameron.
Grundy is about to start a mega seven-year contract worth about $1 million a season at Collingwood.
Although, his 2020 season failed to reach the lofty heights of previous years, while Cameron remains out of contract.
Rendell, whose senior recruiter position at the Magpies was made redundant following Round 1 this year, said his former club should consider the bold move that involves moving All-Australian centre half-back Darcy Moore into the ruck.
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“I don’t know if (Collingwood) is in the hunt (for Jeremy Cameron), but they should be,” Rendell said on SEN.
“They should be into him, but how do they fit him in? I’ve got a little bit of a plan and I say it with a heavy heart, but I would be trading Brodie Grundy to Sydney if I could.
“It’s a good fit for the Swans, they need a ruckman badly. I know what you’re thinking, who is (Collingwood) going to play in the ruck, but I’d play Darcy Moore in the ruck.
“He will win a Brownlow if he plays in the ruck and changing with Mason Cox forward.
“But if they get Jeremy Cameron, I’d be sending Cox to the Western Bulldogs, they’re desperate for a key forward and a ruckman, he can ruck with Tim English.
“I would be playing Moore in the ruck and changing him with Cox if the Jeremy Cameron stuff doesn’t pay off. I know that’s a big call, but I think that’s how you get the deal done and how you get money in your cap.”
Rendell said a move to Sydney would benefit both Grundy and the Magpies.
“I know (they just gave Grundy a seven-year deal), but I think it’s a better fit for him,” he said.
“He loves his study, he’s not a footy-head. I reckon Sydney would suit his lifestyle and they’re desperate for a ruckman.
“They can give up pick four.
“I think Brodie might be interested in it and I reckon Collingwood would be interested in it, as long as they knew they could get Cameron with that cap space.
“The other thing is I did a study on the rucks for them this time last year because we didn’t know if Brodie was going to stay or go, and I gave them a replacement for Grundy and I told them to go chase Sam Hayes at Port Adelaide.
“He’s ready to go coming off a knee. I saw him play at the end of last year, he was very, very good.
“He plays similar to Brodie, but he’s third in line behind Scott Lycett and Peter Ladhams at Port Adelaide.
“I reckon he would be gettable with one year left on his contract.”
TRELOAR SCOLDS ‘DISAPPOINTING’ SUNS TRADE TALK
Collingwood star Adam Treloar is adamant he will remain at the Magpies next year and beyond as his fiance Kim Ravaillion makes her netball comeback in Brisbane.
Treloar flat-batted any suggestion of a trade north, declaring he “never considered” leaving the Pies after Ravaillion signed a 10-month contract with the Queensland Firebirds.
The 27-year-old, who is contracted until 2025, is prepared to make the long-distance situation work to support the Australian mid-courter’s return to professional sport.
The couple’s young daughter, Georgie, will live with Ravaillion in the Sunshine State.
Treloar said his biggest disappointment was how the enormity of Ravaillion’s comeback from pregnancy was lost amid the attention on his playing future.
“Firstly, I never considered going anywhere and I never would,” Treloar said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“I’m a contracted player at the Collingwood Football Club and there’s a reason why I moved to Victoria to play for Collingwood.
“The most disappointing thing over the last 24 hours for me and my family is Kimmy didn’t get to break the story herself, which is really disappointing.
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“The story should be about her and how she’s been able to come back and get to where she’s got to now – and that is signing a contract to play her professional sport.
“She made a huge sacrifice for us, as a family, to start our family in the middle of the prime of her career.
“We chose to have a child and she sacrificed her body for that. The sacrifice for me is something extremely small.
“Realistically, Kim probably has two/three years of really good netball in her, because we want to keep going with our family.”
Treloar said he joined Collingwood five years ago to win a premiership and would not entertain a move elsewhere, despite being linked to Gold Coast.
The Suns, despite being open to trading pick No. 5 for Treloar or a player of similar status, appear resigned to the fact the midfielder will not join the club.
“Never in my mind did I consider going anywhere,” Treloar said.
MAGPIES FALLOUT: INSIDE COLLINGWOOD’S BIG LIST CALLS
Collingwood has been urged to be “aggressive” with its list to stem a slide down the ladder after its semi-final horror show.
The Pies are expected to be active in this year’s trade period as they also juggle a number of list headaches, headlined by the contract demands of Jordan De Goey.
After narrowly losing the 2018 Grand Final, Collingwood slipped to a preliminary final loss last year and a semi-final whitewash this year.
“After seeing the way their season has come to an end, they have to be aggressive with their list,” Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd said on Footy Classified.
On the issue of paying De Goey upwards of $1 million a season, former Melbourne forward Garry Lyon on SEN said: “I wouldn’t pay a million bucks for him (per season), but someone will pay $800,000 (per season). Because when he did come back, he turned a game on its head on his own. Not many players can do that.”
Does wingman Tom Phillips look for a new home? Will Matthew Scharenberg get back home to South Australia? Should Brayden Sier test the market?
Let’s assess every player.
EVERY PLAYER RATED
1. Jaidyn Stephenson
Age: 21 Games: 54 Contract: Until end of 2021
Started the season well with seven goals in his first three games, but appears a shell of the emerging star who won the 2018 Rising Star Award as a key part of the Pies’ Grand Final push. Is contracted for next season, but regressed to the fringe of senior selection in the back half of the year. Is a fresh start at a rival club needed, or does he simply need a strong pre-season at Collingwood to recalibrate as he enters a defining year? Still took the second-most marks inside 50 for the Pies this year, but had only three touches and a tackle in the semi-final hiding against Geelong. No doubt has the talent, it’s just deserted him at the moment.
2. Jordan De Goey
Age: 24 Games: 98 Contract: Out of contract
Intriguing situation. The Pies suggest he is on the lookout for the biggest deal possible – more than the reported $800,000 he is on at Collingwood. But will another club be forthcoming as he explores the market? Carlton was said to be in, now apparently out. Essendon is also linked. With a host of other top-end signings placing pressure on their salary cap, the Pies can only pay so much for a player who has undoubted talent but whose top finish in a best-and-fairest is eighth. He is also facing an indecent assault charge and is due to appear in court on October 30. A nasty finger injury kept him out for two months this year, but the question clubs will ask is whether his 2020 output – down on his dazzling 2018 brilliance – warrants such a price tag. No doubt a matchwinner who, at 24, is still yet to enter the prime of his career and can do things others can’t. De Goey knocked back a $5 million offer from North Melbourne in 2017, but may not be prepared to sacrifice as much cash this time. A fascinating watch-this-space.
3. Isaac Quaynor
Age: 20 Games: 15 Contract: Until end of 2022
One of the success stories of the season for Collingwood, having become a mainstay of the Magpies line-up after forcing his way into the side in Round 6. The 20-year-old defender received a Rising Star nomination and regularly provided reliable defensive rebound for the Pies. His disposal efficiency of 85.1 was the best of any Pies player who played more than five games. Missed a few matches with a nasty gash in his leg against Sydney but returned without any issue. Will be someone Collingwood will look to next season for natural improvement.
4. Brodie Grundy
Age: 26 Games: 151 Contract: Until end of 2027
Didn’t have the season he would have liked and Nathan Buckley shed some frank insights into why after Saturday night’s semi-final loss. Grundy went from All-Australian in 2018-19 to not even making the squad this year, reflected by a drop in his most of his statistical averages, including key areas relating to disposals, hit-outs and clearances. He also slipped to sixth on the AFL Player Ratings ranking of ruckmen, despite playing all 19 games. “Brodes is a guy who loves the game and loves footy, but he also loves to get away from it,” Buckley said. “When you’re in a hub, it’s been a little more difficult for him to do that.”
5. Jamie Elliott
Age: 28 Games: 123 Contract: Until end of 2021
The fit-again Elliott was one of the Pies’ most durable players this season, and became a key part of the club’s finals push. Having battled injuries in recent years, he found valuable consistency and a new lease on his career, playing 18 games while spending more time in the midfield. Where his game was measured on goals in the past, this year it was built around midfield impact. Even still, he applied the most tackles inside 50 for the Pies. Last year he spent just 2 per cent in the midfield, but upped that to 37 per cent this year. At just 28, and provided his body stays fit, he still has a couple of valuable years left for the Pies.
6. Tyler Brown
Age: 21 Games: 9 Contract: Until end of 2022
A breakthrough year after making his debut in his third season on the list. He played nine matches split across two stints in the side, but was dropped for the finals series. As he develops, the Pies will hope the rangy midfielder can add a bit more size to his frame as he looks to entrench himself in the starting 22 next season.
7. Adam Treloar
Age: 27 Games: 173 Contract: Until end of 2025
Treloar’s management is adamant he will remain at Collingwood despite his partner, Kim Ravaillion, signing a 10-month contract to play netball with the Queensland Firebirds next year. The situation unsurprisingly piqued Gold Coast’s interest – and the Suns could offer its No 5 selection to the Pies to entice a trade – but the midfielder is said to be committed to seeing out his long-term deal at Collingwood. All parties at this stage are indicating Treloar will stay at Collingwood and will make the long-distance situation work. Treloar battled more hamstring issues this year but his form was otherwise very strong across his 10 matches.
8. Tom Langdon
Age: 26 Games: 89 Contract: Until end of 2021
Remains contracted after signing a three-year deal at the end of 2018, but faces an uncertain future after his injury-prone body again failed him this season. Langdon was pushing to be available late in the season, but suffered a setback with an ongoing knee injury. The Pies rate his character and he played 23 games in their 2018 Grand Final campaign, but will they see the best of the 26-year-old again after he hasn’t played since Round 9, 2019? In one recent training session at Maroochydore, coach Nathan Buckley walked many laps in deep conversation with Langdon.
9. John Noble
Age: 23 Games: 22 Contract: Until end of 2021
A successful product of the mid-season draft, Noble has quickly become part of the furniture of Collingwood’s defence. The Pies have benefited from his pace, often looking to get the footy into his hands to launch from the back half. Played 17 matches this season and has the confidence of someone who looks set to be a key part of the side into the future. His two-year deal expires next year, but there should be no worries about him getting a fresh offer.
10. Scott Pendlebury
Age: 32 Games: 316 Contract: Until end of 2021
Created Collingwood history this season by overtaking Tony Shaw on the club’s all-time games record list. Shaw, himself, paid Pendlebury the ultimate compliment by saying he could play for a number of seasons yet. Missed a chunk of games in the middle of the season through injury but still clocked 20+ possessions in 11 of his 15 games and led the Pies for goal assists.
11. Dayne Beams
Age: 30 Games: 177 Contract: Until end of 2022
Beams has not played since Round 11 last season after stepping away from the game to deal with his mental health. He was involved in a car crash earlier this year that he later admitted was a “deliberate” and a “massive cry for help”. Collingwood has continued to offer off-field support and there appears an acceptance he is unlikely to play again. Collingwood and Beams will discuss his future in the coming weeks.
12. Matthew Scharenberg
Age: 25 Games: 41 Contract: Out of contract
Scharenberg is expected to explore his options, potentially even a return to South Australia, after falling out of selection favour this season. The former No. 6 draft pick played only three matches in 2020, with his most recent being in Round 8 when the Magpies were thrashed by West Coast. Adelaide might see potential in bringing in Scharenberg to help bolster its backline.
13. Taylor Adams
Age: 26 Games: 151 Contract: Until the end of 2024
In a season of widespread disruption, Copeland Trophy winner Adams was a constant presence who defied it all. He made the All-Australian team for the first time in his career and played every match in his best-ever season, helping drive a midfield that was at times without Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury. An on-ball general, he had 20 more clearances than the next-best teammate (Pendlebury), was the club’s leading ball-winner, applied the most pressure, was involved in the most score involvements and had the most contested possessions. One of their few better players against Geelong in the dismal semi-final, too.
14. Darcy Cameron
Age: 25 Games: 11 Contract: Until the end of 2021
Played 10 games this season in his first year at the club after crossing from Sydney and is clearly in the Pies’ plans after he played both finals despite not playing for the previous month. His support role to Grundy allowed Collingwood to work over Nic Naitanui in the elimination final. At one point in the season he was keeping Mason Cox out of the side. A handy acquisition.
15. Lynden Dunn
Age: 33 Games: 198 Contract: Out of contract
The much-liked Dunn has decided to retire having played only two matches this season after earning a career reprieve 12 months ago. He was delisted at the end of last year by Collingwood but relisted as backup, earning back-to-back games in Rounds 11-12 after not playing at all in 2019 with knee issues. He continued to train with the main squad until the Pies were knocked out of the finals. Squeezed everything out of his body after starting at Melbourne in 2006.
16. Chris Mayne
Age: 31 Games: 231 Contract: Until end of 2021
Mayne returned from a sickening facial fracture to play in both of Collingwood’s finals this season. Since joining the Pies in 2017, he hasn’t missed a final, showing his value to the side at the pointy end of the season. After the broken cheekbone incident, coach Nathan Buckley described how highly Collingwood rated Mayne. “The bloke continues to put his body on the line. His teammates love him and he’s not in a good way. He’s a sore boy. He’s done it in every one of his actions since he’s come to the club.” Signed a one-year extension at the start of the year to take him into 2021.
17. Callum Brown
Age: 22 Games: 49 Contract: Until end of 2022
Had a breakout 2019 but could not quite reach the same heights this season, despite playing the bulk of the year. Suffered an ankle injury but was then dropped on the eve of the finals and couldn’t force his way back in.
18. Travis Varcoe
Age: 32 Games: 230 Contract: Retired
Varcoe has retired after being a wonderful servant for the Pies since crossing from Geelong midway through his career. Varcoe joined Collingwood in 2015 as part of a three-way trade and played 92 games for the Magpies. The Pies were the winners of that deal where Heritier Lumumba went to Melbourne and Mitch Clark joined Geelong. Varcoe played nine matches this year in an injury-interrupted campaign before being squeezed out of the team at the end of the year. A two-time premiership player at Geelong (2009, 2011), Varcoe also provided many happy memories for Pies fans in finals.
19. Levi Greenwood
Age: 31 Games: 158 Contract: Out of contract
Comes out of contract but the early indications are the Magpies want to offer him a one-year deal to take him into next season. Greenwood played the last six matches of the season – including both finals – after recovering from a torn ACL suffered in last year’s finals series. His ability to still negate an opponent (most recently Tim Kelly in the elimination final) and his strong recovery from knee surgery gives hope that he still has a role to play at Collingwood next season.
20. Ben Reid
Age: 31 Games: 152 Contract: Retired
Suffered an injury setback on the eve of the finals and made the call to bring forward his retirement, effective immediately, after managing only two games this year. Reid was a dominant defender for the Pies between 2010-13 in particular, playing in the 2010 flag and making All-Australian in 2011. But soft-tissue injuries often hampered him during the second half of his career.
21. Tom Phillips
Age: 24 Games: 89 Contract: Until end of 2021
Could be one to watch from a trade perspective. Got injured at the wrong time of the season and was then overlooked for selection as Collingwood went unchanged into its semi-final against Geelong. Phillips had otherwise been a regular in the side, having not missed a game between 2018-19 and played the first 15 games this year before injuring his hamstring. Josh Daicos appears to have jumped ahead of him now. He was available to play against the Cats but the Pies opted to keep him out. Rival clubs circled Phillips last year. Perhaps they will again.
22. Steele Sidebottom
Age: 29 Games: 243 Contract: Until the end of 2021
The bumper five-year contract he signed in 2016 expires at the end of next season. It was a mixed season for Sidebottom. He copped a four-match ban for a breach of the AFL’s COVID protocols in late June, but returned to play some solid footy before leaving the club’s hub to return home for the birth of his child. The Pies tried to get Sidebottom back up to Queensland on the eve of the finals but the plan hit roadblocks and was abandoned.
23. Jordan Roughead
Age: 29 Games: 179 Contract: Until end of 2022
Roughead had a solid year across 17 games but coach Nathan Buckley conceded after the semi-final that the key defender was among a number of players who were not suited to the 24/7 nature of the footy hub bubble, more preferring their space and work-life balance. He has been an elite find for the Pies since crossing from the Western Bulldogs, so there’s no worries there in terms of his future.
24. Josh Thomas
Age: 29 Games: 103 Contract: Until end of 2021
The small forward did not have the impact he would have liked this year across 14 games, kicking four goals and only averaging a tick over 10 possessions a match. His tackle numbers were down, too, on the level he normally applies. Contracted for next season but could there be some movement in the coming weeks?
25. Jack Crisp
Age: 27 Games: 153 Contract: Until end of 2023
Crisp was one of the positive stories of the season for Collingwood, finishing second in Champion Data’s rankings of “general” defenders in the AFL for the year. It came on the back of a third placing in last year’s Copeland Trophy. Crisp played all 19 games and showed a high level of consistency. He finished the season in top form and was one of only a couple of Pies players who could hold their head high after the semi-final loss to Geelong. Entering the prime of his career, if he’s not there already.
26. Josh Daicos
Age: 21 Games: 35 Contract: Out of contract
Yet to sign but seems destined to stay at Collingwood next year and beyond. Daicos’s stocks grew rapidly this year, emerging into a dynamic ball-user on the wing, coupled with some of the freakish goalscoring ability of his famous father. He played 18 games at a high level this year, after playing only five last year and 10 the year before. Daicos also made the AFLPA’s 22Under22 team of the year. His form will likely come with a little pay rise, which will only add to the complex list-management decisions currently facing the club, but one the Pies would surely make room to accommodate.
27. Will Kelly
Age: 20 Games: 1 Contract: End of 2022
The father-son prospect will be hoping for better luck next year after suffering a season-ending arm injury on debut this year. The promising forward kicked a goal and looked lively against Hawthorn in July but landed awkwardly and did not return this season. If fit next year, he will put pressure on Mason Cox in the forward line.
28. Nathan Murphy
Age: 20 Games: 2 Contract: End of 2022
Been a frustrating couple of years for the highly-rated Murphy. Made his AFL debut late in 2018; had his 2019 derailed by injury and just could not force his way into a settled backline this year. There are no concerns about where the Pies view him in their future, having re-signed as recently as March for an additional two years. “The future is theirs to write but right now Cal (Brown), Tyler (Brown) and Nathan are seen as important to what is next for Collingwood,” Magpie list manager, Ned Guy, said at the time.
29. Tim Broomhead
Age: 26 Games: 37 Contract: Out of contract
Played only one match this year – Round 11 against Adelaide – in what was his first game in more than two years since breaking his leg in a collision with a goalpost against GWS in early 2018. Broomhead has unfortunately battled injury issues all his career. The Pies face the tough decision of how much longer they can keep the talented but often-sidelined forward on the list.
30. Darcy Moore
Age: 24 Games: 89 Contract: Out of contract
One of the best defenders in the game and one of the most important signatures Collingwood has secured this off-season. Moore was out of contract but re-signed with the Magpies on Tuesday after another brilliant season in which he made the All-Australian side. He led the Pies for defensive one-on-one wins (61) and missed only one match. When last quizzed publicly about his contract status in August, Moore declared he “absolutely” wanted to stay at Collingwood.
31. Flynn Appleby
Age: 21 Games: 11 Contract: Out of contract
Didn’t have much luck on the injury front this year. Had a delayed start to the season with an ankle injury and then suffered a hamstring setback late in the campaign. It leaves him facing an uncertain future, having played only one match in each of the past two seasons after nine in his debut 2018 campaign.
32. Will Hoskin-Elliott
Age: 27 Games: 137 Contract: Until end of 2022
Quieter year by his standards, not having quite the impact of past seasons in the front half of the ground, especially on the scoreboard. The key to Collingwood challenging again next season will be for Hoskin-Elliott to find the potency of his 2018 season in which he kicked 42 goals, offered greater pressure and generally found more of the footy.
33. Rupert Wills
Age: 27 Games: 23 Contract: Out of contract
Just like last year, Wills enters the off-season without his future sorted. Played all his eight matches this season before Round 12, but never quite grabbed his opportunity and was pushed out after the Pies were thrashed by Melbourne. The midfielder was made to wait until well after the season last year to receive his 2020 contract – even despite playing the last six matches of the 2019 season, including two finals. It appears the Pies will make him sweat again as they assess their list heading into 2021.
34. Trent Bianco
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract: Until end of 2021
The small defender is still waiting for his debut after landing at the club at pick 45 in last year’s draft. Fans would have been hoping to see him at some stage this year after his impressive performance in a pre-season scratch match against Carlton where he played well across halfback. But that debut will have to wait until at least next year.
35. Jay Rantall
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract: Until end of 2021
The inside midfielder, taken at pick 40 in last year’s national draft from South Warrnambool, is yet to make his AFL debut, but showed enough promise in the early scratch matches to give hope that he was in contention to replace Scott Pendlebury when the Pies skipper injured his quad before the West Coast match. Would be looking to make his debut next year.
36. Brayden Sier
Age: 22 Games: 21 Contract: Until end of 2021
Injuries put the brakes on Sier’s ability to push into the line-up, but he would have hoped for more than three games this year. A quad setback against Adelaide in Round 11 effectively kept him sidelined until the eve of finals. By the time he was fit, he couldn’t get back into the side. Sier has plenty of upside, but if he can’t get regular game time ongoing at Collingwood, surely there would be a suitor out there looking for a strong-bodied midfielder with inside grunt. There would be a few teams who wouldn’t mind him.
37. Brayden Maynard
Age: 24 Games: 116 Contract: Until end of 2022
Maynard had the best season of his career, playing all 19 matches to a brilliant level down back that earned him selection in the All-Australian squad. Having elevated himself into the top bracket of defenders with his safe hands and pinpoint left foot. Leading the Pies for rebound-50s (72), intercept possessions (118) and total metres gained (7368), he was probably unlucky to not make the final AA team.
38. Jeremy Howe
Age: 30 Games: 187 Contract: Until end of 2021
Collingwood was rock solid in defence most of the year – just imagine if they had Howe too. Even without Howe, the Pies ranked among the best defences in the league, but they missed his intercepting prowess and his organisation – and that ultimately hurt their ability to rebound. Howe ruptured his PCL in June and fell short in his bid to return for the finals. He would have been particularly handy against a Geelong side that just punctured holes in the Collingwood backline in the semi-final. In the smallest of sample sizes (just four matches), he was already looking worthy of an All-Australian defender.
39. Trey Ruscoe
Age: 18 Games: 4 Contract: Until end of 2021
Ruscoe played four matches between Rounds 10-13, showing lively promise in attack and hitting the scoreboard with 5.4 in those games despite playing not even 70 per cent game time. He proved quite a handy choice at pick 55 in last year’s draft. But we’re not sure who attracted the main headlines this year: Ruscoe or his mum! The draftee made his debut in Round 10 against Sydney, but his mum missed his first goal after admitting she ducked out the back of the house for a quick smoke.
40. Atu Bosenavulagi
Age: 20 Games: 3 Contract: Out of contract
Got of taste of AFL life this year as one of a host of debutants for the Pies, providing a spark across half forward in his three games between Rounds 6-8. The Fiji-born Bosenavulagi joined the Pies at the end of the 2018 season as part of the Next Generation Academy.
41. Brody Mihocek
Age: 27 Games: 58 Contract: Out of contract
Mihocek apparently has a three-year deal on the table from Collingwood but the sticking point appears to be the dollar figure attached to it. Mihocek did his claims for a pay rise no harm with a timely three-goal effort against West Coast in the elimination final thriller. Mihocek has kicked 90 goals in his 58 games across three seasons. It is an important contract for Mihocek given, at 27, it will likely be his best chance to cash in on his output. Mihocek is jostling with the likes of uncontracted teammates Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Josh Daicos for every spare dollar in the Pies’ salary cap over the coming weeks. If he is squeezed out, there will be a club willing to add someone who consistently hits the scoreboard. No doubt they have already been in touch.
43. Anton Tohill
Age: 20 Games: 0 Contract: Out of contract
A tough year to be coming out of contract for the Irish recruit. Tohill returned home during the initial COVID shutdown period before returning. Tohill showed some promise as a utility in the VFL last year, kicking seven goals in 12 games, but could not crack a senior game this season. He has plenty of interests outside of football, including dreams of a medical career, but in January made it clear footy was his immediate priority: “I’m not an experiment. I want to play AFL football, it’s why I’m here.”
44. Jack Madgen
Age: 27 Games: 21 Contract: Out of contract
Played 13 matches this year, including the two finals, which should be enough to secure a new contract at the Pies. Didn’t have a huge finals series but it was clearly the defender’s best season. He took strides this year, when you consider that in both 2018 and 2019 he finished the home-and-away season in the side but was dropped both years for finals.
45. Max Lynch
Age: 22 Games: 1 Contract: Out of contract
It was a long time coming, but Max Lynch received reward for effort and perseverance when the developing 200cm ruckman made his AFL debut against Brisbane last month. It had been a long build from being the 51st player selected in the rookie draft at the end of 2016 from the Murray Bushrangers. His form had been solid in scratch matches all season but the Pies’ big man stocks had kept him on the outer of selection.
46. Mason Cox
Age: 29 Games: 69 Contract: Until end of 2021 after hitting contract trigger
Revived his career in the back end of the season after appearing on the brink midway through the year when he had issues with his vision and lost his spot in the team. He was recalled in Round 13 and found his spark, hitting a trigger clause for a new contract in the process. Cox took the most contested marks for Collingwood this year (23). But still, do he or the Pies explore a move? He was the hero of the elimination final against West Coast with three goals but, like many of his teammates, was missing against the Cats. Will be battling for his spot next year with Will Kelly, who suffered a nasty injury on debut and sat out the season.
47. Mark Keane
Age: 20 Games: 1 Contract: Out of contract
Broke through for his AFL debut this year, picking up seven disposals in the Round 9 clash with Fremantle. But it was his only AFL match of the season. Keane, a 194cm defender, joined the Pies as a Category B rookie from Ireland ahead of the 2019 season. Keane was probably unlucky not to make his debut in 2019 – his intercept work stood out – and showed promising form in a pre-season game against Richmond this year. Yet to get a contract for next season.
48. Tom Wilson
Age: 23 Games: 0 Contract: Until end of 2021
The former Australian basketballer is yet to play a game, spending his first season at the club developing in training and scratch matches. The midfielder showed promising signs in a scrimmage hitout against Carlton, kicking three goals including a snap from about 40m out. The Pies rate his athleticism and adaptability. Captain Scott Pendlebury took him under his wing for early-morning workouts over summer.
Originally published as Every Collingwood player rated for 2020: Contracts, trade whispers and players to watch in 2021
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