AFL 2022: All the latest from Collingwood training as rookies star during match sim and Jordan De Goey cops a knock
Collingwood stepped up its Round 1 preparations with a three-hour match simulation session on Saturday. And there was plenty for Pies fans to be excited about.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Explosive midfielder Jordan De Goey copped a knock to the ribs in a spirited training session, ruling him out of Collingwood’s match-simulation on Saturday morning.
But the Magpies say it won’t have an impact on his pre-season plans as he prepares for one of the most important seasons of his AFL career.
De Goey was busy and active early in the session before going off in some discomfort after suffering the knock.
The 25-year-old missed most of the match simulation - which took up the bulk of the three-hour session - with some track watchers more than a little concerned by his absence.
But Magpies officials insisted after the training session at Olympic Park that De Goey’s absence was only precautionary, saying he was “OK” but “feeling a bit sore”.
Stream every match of every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
They said the knock was a minor one, meaning he would hopefully be right for the club’s next main training session.
Collingwood is scheduled to meet Hawthorn in a practice match at Morwell on February 25.
De Goey has been back training with the main Collingwood group for the past three weeks., following a three-month exile as his legal issues were played out in a New York court.
He looked sharp on Saturday morning - playing mainly through the midfield - before he left the ground in some pain almost an hour into the session.
It looms as a crucial year for him as he comes out of contract at the end of the season, with any discussions on a new deal likely to be on hold until the second half of the year.
A few of the Magpies young guns shone in the match simulation while some of the older faces also made sizeable contributions, a blend that would have pleased new coach Craig McRae.
All of this came on a significant day for the Collingwood Football Club as it celebrated its 130th birthday, with the 2022 players starting the session with a ‘Happy Birthday’ rendition.
The first public meeting of the club took place at the Collingwood Town Hall on February 12, 1892, with the Magpies’ first game taking place three months later.
That fact wasn’t lost on the players on Saturday as they belted out the birthday song before letting out a big cheer.
TRAINING NOTES
On for young and old
Magpie veteran Scott Pendlebury and young gun Nick Daicos played tag team to great impact, switching between half-back flank and midfield in what could be a sign for 2022.
Pendlebury is slated in for a defensive role this season, allowing some fresh faces to run through the middle. His deft left foot will be a perfect exit point from the back half.
But the 34-year-old will still spend some time in the midfield at stages of games.
Likewise, Daicos, who was pick four in last year’s draft, will have some midfield cameos this year, but was also used in defence in match simulation and still could play a bit in attack.
Daicos, 19, was silky smooth with his use of the ball and was one of the clear standouts, as was brother Josh, who looks set to lock down a wing spot again this season.
Rookie ready to take his chance
Jordan Roughead’s shoulder surgery might have provided an early opportunity for mature-aged rookie defender Charlie Dean.
Dean, 20, was impressive on Saturday morning, with his marking and spoiling coming under notice.
The former Williamstown backman, who won the VFL’s most promising young talent award, has made a good early impression in his short time at the club.
The Magpies will look at a few options to cover Roughead, who will miss the early rounds of the season after undergoing an arthroscopy, but Dean will be right in the mix.
Howe good!?
He’s only played 12 games in the past two years due to injury, but if high-flying defender Jeremy Howe can finally get some luck, it would be a massive win for the Magpies in 2022.
Howe, 31, was cool and composed as usual in defence, working well with Darcy Moore in the match simulation session.
He is only five games away from reaching that 200-game milestone, and looks as if his injury issues over the past two seasons haven’t impacted his reading of the game and his mobility.
At one stage one of the Pies’ match simulation sides had Howe, Moore, Brayden Maynard, Nick Daicos, Pendlebury and Isaac Quaynor in the back half at the same time, which would make a strong back six.
Quaynor, who is coming off a strong 2021, looked particularly sharp off half back.
Young Pie ready to soar
Fin Macrae managed nine games in his AFL debut season but looks bigger and more prepared for the heat of battle in 2022.
He was a strong performer through the midfield in the club’s match simulation and looks ready for more game time and exposure this season.
Liam McMahon is being trialled down, while Will Kelly is playing forward.
Steele Sidebottom could play more in attack this season, where the club could use his uncanny goal sense, but he spent most of his time on Saturday on a wing.
Brodie Grundy went head-to-head with Mason Cox - still wearing the sunglasses he hopes to wear during the season - early in the contest, before Darcy Cameron went in against Cox as Grundy spent some time forward.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL 2022: All the latest from Collingwood training as rookies star during match sim and Jordan De Goey cops a knock
Ablett family reveal details of son’s condition
Jordan and Gary Ablett had chosen not to reveal many details about their little boy’s heartbreaking condition until now.
Carey’s answer to keeper challenge
The day after the man who took his World Cup spot scored an impressive ton in Perth, Alex Carey answered back with a classy knock.
No ‘excuses’ for Socceroos
Despite having had little time to prepare his team, new Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has backed the Australians to deliver the goods against China on Thursday night.
Clubs demand MCG games as 100-year celebration plans begin
More clubs want more games at the MCG next year and three teams are plotting once-in-a-century moments in 2025. See what fixture requests are coming the AFL’s way.
Ride With Ruby: How Olympic skateboarder went from pupil to master
At just 15, Ruby Trew is already organising her first skateboarding holiday event, at the very skatepark where she was once learning the ropes.
AFLW Agenda: Thank you Maddy, you’re more than enough
From a stirring celebration pointed at keyboard cowards to the rapid rise of a young gun, ELIZA REILLY runs through the hits and misses from Week 6 in the AFLW Agenda.