Summary: Started the season as a big chance for the flag (at least according to the AFL Media pundits) but ended up finishing eighth after a meek surrender to Port Adelaide at the MCG in the elimination final. The Pies had their moments, such as beating Geelong at the MCG and the Swans in Sydney, but on the flip side, never strung more than three wins in a row for the season.
What worked: Travis Cloke kicked 64 goals to come second in the Coleman Medal and enjoyed not carrying the baggage of a difficult season the year before where his contractual status was a constant distraction.
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What failed: The rest of the forward line. Collingwood brought Quinten Lynch across from West Coast but he kicked just nine goals from 18 matches and he missed the elimination final through injury. The Pies switched key defender Ben Reid to the forward line later with some success, but he was kept goalless in the elimination final.
Surprise packet: Sam Dwyer stepped in and played 20 games as part of Collingwood's midfield rotation. At 27, Dwyer was another shining example of clubs trawling the state leagues for players mature of mind and body who can step straight in to meet the demands of the AFL.
Disappointment: Injuries cruelled Collingwood in 2013 and in hindsight, kept the club from making a serious assault on the premiership. Last year's best and fairest Dayne Beams didn’t play until round 15 because of a quad injury, important rebounding defender Alan Toovey played just five games before wrecking his knee, while prized Hawthorn recruit Clinton Young managed just two outings for his new club because of his troublesome hamstrings.
MVP: Scott Pendlebury
Best rookie/first year player: Sam Dwyer
Best win: Round 2: Collingwood 17.15 (117) d Carlton 15.10 (100)
Low point: Gold Coast is coming, make no mistake, but the Pies still would have penciled in a win over the fledgling club at the start of the season. However they trailed for most of the round 17 clash at Metricon Stadium before losing by seven points. The next week, they trailed Greater Western Sydney for nearly three quarters at the MCG before finally overcoming the other expansion club.
What needs to improve: Without regulars such as Johnson, Toovey and Reid, the Collingwood backline was in a state of flux for much of the year. Opponents put plenty of work into Heath Shaw's rebound, while Nick Maxwell's best might be behind him. So pencil in the Magpie defence as an area for attention over the summer.
The loss of Alan Toovey to a knee reconstruction unsettled the Collingwood backline all year. Picture: AFL Media
Who's done: Darren Jolly, Ben Johnson, Alan Didak, Jordan Russell, Andrew Krakouer, Ben Richmond (rookie), Michael Hartley (rookie). Apart from Johnson who retired, all were delisted.
What they need: The Pies used 40 players this year, a remarkable figure, and would be pleased with the contribution made by several of their first-year players. But if the Quinten Lynch recruitment didn't quite work to their satisfaction, they may hunt for another key forward to compliment Cloke and send Reid back to defence where he plays his best footy.
Luke Darcy says
"I think you'll see a few of the experienced guys moved on. Nathan Buckley's talking about cultural change – that often comes with some inconsistent results."
"Nick Maxwell's been great. He's won a premiership for them in the Tom Harley mould, but I think having a gun like [Pendlebury] ready to go - it's probably time to make the change."
