We will now focus on the Collingwood Magpies. The Magpies had a very successful 2009, defeating Adelaide by 5 points in the elimination final but unfortunately going down to eventual premiers Geelong in the preliminary final. These players could have a main authority on whether this happens.

Back – Harry O’Brien

The superb defender into the senior Magpie defence in 2006 and made an immediate impact for the Magpies. His dominant run off half-back, makes him a key player for the Pies. His resourcefulness as a defender gives Collingwood options for playing O’Brien either on a lively tall forward or the vibrant small forward.

O’Brien’s next step during his development as a key defender will be to start winning more of the hard ball in the contests and also rebounding from the defensive 50. These skills of his game will be crucial to how the Magpies’ defence holds up against the better forward lines of the AFL.


Midfield – Leon Davis

Usually lining up as a forward, Davis began to find himself playing more up the field in 2009. This move proved successful for the Magpie goalsneak who began getting a large amount of possession therefore supplying the forwards with class delivery. Twice throughout the season Davis wracked up a career high 32 possession while in midfield.

Davis’ performance in midfield in 2010 will be critical to giving the Magpies an additional burst of speed that it deeply missed from the Pies other midfielders. With Dane Swan and Shane O’Bree winning the hard ball, Davis will likely be used as an outside midfielder who will continue to supply the Magpie forward line.

Forward – Alan Didak

Interrupted by injury in 2009, the bright spark forward had a incredible season averaging 25 disposals and a goal per game. This included a career-high 39 disposals against Fremantle, which also included the forward taking nine marks and kicking two goals in a imposing display that saw the Magpies prance to an 84-point victory.

With brilliant disposal by foot, an uncanny eye for goal and the gift to bring other players into the game, Didak is one of the few players in the AFL who is proficient of winning matches of his own boot. A player the opposition simply love to hate, the Magpies will be looking to players like Didak to take them to their next premiership.


Ruckman – Darren Jolly

The agile ruckman left the Swans after family reasons in which he requested to be traded back to a Melbourne-based club. Collingwood were interested and Jolly was all about securing his move to the Magpies. Through his wonderful ruckwork, aggression at the opposition and capability to push forward and create and kick goals, Jolly is regarded as one of the best ruckman in the AFL.

The Magpies have picked up a likely superstar here, with Jolly likely to respite in the forward line and provide another tall option when either Josh Fraser or Cameron Wood are in the ruck. In the peak of his career, presume that Jolly will have a dazzling season in the Magpies’ hunt for another top-four finish.



Recruit – Luke Ball

After declining a new contract with the Saints, the hard working midfielder seeked a trade Collingwood and signed a three-year deal with the Magpie. Ball was a splendid player with St Kild, spending eight seasons there winning both the Saints’ Best & Fairest and All-Australian selection in 2005, as well as captaining the side in 2006 and 2007.

Ball made the most of his opportunities in 2009 earning an abundance of contested possession around the stoppages. He finished tenth in tackles in the AFL and played an essential part in St Kilda’s slim Grand Final defeat against Geelong. In 2010, expect Ball to have a major demeanor on Collingwood’s chances of once again finishing in the top four.


Final Season Prediction

The Magpies recruited neatly in the off-season and have a good stability of youth and experience. Nevertheless, the problem still lies for Collingwood in its midfield. Their need of intensity and velocity may seize them come finals time and this could damage them against a quality top-four opposition. If these problems aren’t addressed during the season, it may deprive the forwards of supply and could be disadvantageous to their Premiership chances. But despite all that, the Pies should never be underestimated. I predict that Pies will finish : 7th