BEST 25
B: Martin Clarke, Shane Wakelin, Harry O'Brien
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tyson Goldsack
C: Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
HF: Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
F: Paul Medhurst, Anthony Rocca, Sean Rusling
FOLL: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson
I/C: Scott Burns, Shane O'Bree, Rhyce Shaw, Cameron Wood
EMG: Brodie Holland, Chris Egan, Ben Reid
The rest of the squad:
Jack Anthony, Jaxson Barham, Nathan Brown, Chris Bryan, Ryan Cook, Shannon Cox, Chris Dawes, Brad Dick, Sam Iles, Ryan Lonie, John McCarthy, Simon Prestigiacomo, Danny Stanley, Tobias Thoolen, Alan Toovey, Luke Casey-Leigh (rookie), Kevin Dyas (rookie), Brent Macaffer (rookie), Sharrod Wellingham (rookie)
The Magpies may have lost Copeland Trophy winners Nathan Buckley, James Clement and Paul Licuria from last year's squad, but for a variety of reasons the trio only managed 29 matches last year, meaning this best 25 remains relatively settled. The key addition is Wood, who although still developing will strengthen the club's ruck division, an area that needed to be addressed.
AGE (As at March 20, 2008)
* 21 years and under: (26)
* 22-25: (5)
* 26-29: (9)
* 30+: (4)
Collingwood possesses a very youthful list, with almost two-thirds aged 21 years or younger. Although this points towards an exciting future, the lack of players aged from 22-25 raises queries about whether it can go the extra step after a preliminary final berth last year.
MATCHES (As at March 20, 2008)
* 0 matches: (10)
* 1-25: (12)
* 26-50: (4)
* 51-100: (5)
* 101-200: (10)
* 200+: (3)
The Pies have the fourth most experienced list in the competition thanks to the likes of Burns, Rocca and Wakelin. But the concern for premiership success this season is still the relatively low numbers in the 26- to 100-game bracket.
HEIGHT (As at March 20, 2008)
* 184cm and under: (15)
* 185-190cm: (14)
* 191-199cm: (13)
* 200cm+: (2)
The Magpies have a good spread of height across the board. It’s line up compares well with the benchmark Geelong squad of 2007, but only Fraser and Wood stand over 200cm, meaning there is some vulnerability in their tallest department.
POSITIONS
* Defenders: (14)
Smalls: (3)
Mediums: (5)
Talls: (6)
* Midfielders: (18)
Smalls: (13)
Mediums: (5)
Talls: (0)
* Forwards: (8)
Smalls: (2)
Mediums: (2)
Talls: (4)
* Rucks: (4)
Collingwood's midfield has been boosted significantly in recent times with several former forwards and defenders pushing into the middle. And although the numbers seem fewer in attack, the versatility of the Pies keeps them right in the hunt after a fine 2007.
SUMMARY
Collingwood exceeded the expectations of the football community with an outstanding 2007, ending in a narrow preliminary final loss to Geelong. The challenge for the still emerging Pies is can they back it up? It's a tough ask, but the continued development from the likes of Pendlebury, Cloke and Thomas can help Collingwood remain a top four prospect.
NUTSHELL
Not quite premiership-ready this year, but the signs are looking very promising.
