Collingwood v Adelaide
Saturday 9 February
Ghantoot Polo Club, Dubai
It feels like yesterday that the ball was bounced on Collingwoodís half forward flank, deep into time on in the final term of the 2007 Preliminary Final, five points behind Geelong. It's almost as if the sounding of the siren was akin to hitting the pause button on the remote. Time, in that sense, has stood still for supporters of all things Black and White, and the commencement of the 2008 NAB Cup, in Dubai, of all places, is the signal to continue a lifelong journey.
This hasn't been the case for Collingwood, however, the players this week coming to the close of their seemingly never-ending summer of chugging around Gosch's Paddock, the light at the end of the pre-season tunnel the clash with fellow 2007 finalists Adelaide at the Dubai Polo and Racing Club.
New rules, new location, new faces, though the there will be nothing new about the attitude the Collingwood players and coaches take into the pre-season competition, for, with such a talented list, competition for places in the team to take on Fremantle in round one will never be higher.
The teams:
COLLINGWOOD*
1. Leon Davis
4. Alan Didak
5. Nick Maxwell
7. Paul Medhurst
9. John Anthony
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Shane OíBree
12. Shannon Cox
13. Dale Thomas
14. Shane Wakelin
15. Chris Egan
16. Nathan Brown
18. Martin Clarke
20. Ben Reid
22. Rhyce Shaw
23. Anthony Rocca
24. Tarkyn Lockyer
25. Josh Fraser
26. Ben Johnson
28. Danny Stanley
29. Ryan Cook
32. Travis Cloke
33. Brad Dick
34. Alan Toovey
36. Dane Swan
37. Sam Iles
39. Heath Shaw
40. Chris Bryan
ADELAIDE
2. Brad Moran
3. Kris Massie
4. Kurt Tippett
5. Scott Thompson
7. Nathan van Berlo
9. Tyson Edwards
10. Jarrhan Jacky
11. Michael Doughty
12. Robert Shirley
14. David Mackay
15. Brad Symes
16. Ken McGregor
17. Bernie Vince
18. Graham Johncock
20. Ivan Maric
21. Chris Knights
22. Andy Otten
23. Andrew McLeod
24. Brett Burton
25. Ben Rutten
26. Richard Douglas
27. Scott Stevens
29. James Sellar
31. Bryce Campbell
33. Brent Reilly
36. Simon Goodwin
40. Jason Porplyzia
44. Nathan Bock
*26 players will represent each team on Saturday.
Summer rewind:
In the 140 days since Collingwood was edged out of the finals race by Geelong, life at the Lexus Centre has been as busy as ever. While supporters unpacked their stockings, caught waves and belted each other over the fence in backyard cricket, the Pies have had plenty on their plate.
The story of the off-season has undoubtedly been the retirements of three of the club's finest sons in Nathan Buckley, James Clement and Paul Licuria. The trio formally called time on wonderful careers at the Copeland Trophy on October the 6th, each thanking the club for the opportunity of a lifetime. A teary Licuria moved many others in the room to tears during his speech, telling the 1800 strong Crown Palladium that the club has "taught him how to dream".
Weeks later, the circus that is AFL trade week came and went, the Magpies swooping on Brisbane ruckman Cameron Wood with an eye to bolstering the clubís perennially understocked ruck department. Born and bred in South Australia, Wood is 204cm, and was selected with the 18th choice in the 2004 National Draft. Despite earning a Rising Star nomination courtesy of promising early season form, Wood was forced to wait in a sizeable queue of Lions ruckmen, the Magpies believing that they may have acquired a bargain, Wood costing the 14th selection at the 2007 National Draft.
In the same week, wingman Ben Davies was thanked for his efforts over his three years in the Black and White, and was shipped to the Kangaroos in exchange for the 96th selection.
Ruckman Guy Richards (39 games) and promoted rookie Daniel Nicholls (one game) joined Buckley, Clement, Licuria and Davies as men to exit the club at seasons end, paving the way for the promotion of Irish sensation Martin Clarke to the senior list, while fellow rookies Sharrod Wellingham and Brent Macaffer were retained.
At the National Draft meeting, Collingwood entered the day with only two live selections, having nominated Jaxson Barham, son of former fan favourite Ricky, as a father-son selection. A product from the famed Geelong Falcons nursery, Barham is set to add speed to the Magpies midfield, and at the age of 19 might be one to make a senior appearance this year.
Joining Barham from the TAC Cup were Dandenong hardnut John McCarthy and Bendigo ruckman Toby Thoolen, the pair having trained under the watchful eye of development coaches Alan Richardson and Gavin Brown throughout the pre-season.
Speaking of Brown, the former skipper and 1990 premiership hero was named as coach of the clubís new VFL team, after the Magpies severed ties with Williamstown after a seven-year alignment.
Weeks later, in the December rookie draft, the Pies formerly added Kevin Dyas to their rookie list, hoping to follow in the footsteps of countryman Marty Clarke. With Wellingham and Macaffer retained, Sandringham defender Luke Casey-Leigh was the final addition to the list.
The talented Wellingham was fined $5000 after a run in with a booze bus saw the clubís sponsorship with the Transport Accident Commission slashed.
Ever innovative and always a step ahead of the pack, Collingwood took their yearly community camp to South Africa, both to spread the game globally and to continue their successful altitude training, having spent time in the past two years in Arizona.
The campaign will come to a close this Saturday night, when they run out to meet the Crows, a team tipped by many to take a tumble down the ladder after years of finals appearances.
The Match Ups:
Although both coaches will again be juggling the best interests of their stars and injured players, there will still be plenty of match-ups of note.
One of the men to watch for Collingwood will be Nathan Brown, a well built key defender who was the 10th selection overall at the 2006 National Draft. Although he was unable to crack the senior scene last season, big things are expected from the former Vic Country representative, having impressed the coaching staff when assigned major roles with Williamstown last year.
Though the Crows lack a star forward, the rangy Nathan Bock has proven difficult to match up on in the past, and should he be thrust into attack, Brown should be the man Mick Malthouse turns to.
Another key defender who is set to line up in Collingwood colours is John Anthony, who is something of a forgotten man after a neck injury saw the line drawn through his name last January. Strong of mind and body, and fiercely determined, Anthony has been touted as a possibility to replace Clement in the role of defensive general.
New rules:
As is the norm, the NAB Cup will again throw up some rules which cause players to think outside the box. As usual, the nine-point 'supergoal' for goals kicked from outside fifty will be in play, while boundary umpires will restart play from boundary throw-ins from 10m inside the field of play. Perhaps the most controversial rule implemented this year is that which sees only 16 interchanges permitted per match, including injuries and blood related rotations, the rule condemned by Malthouse, for it will not allow for players on the comeback trail from injury to take part.
NAB Cup history:
Collingwood and Adelaide have only met twice in the pre-season competition in the past decade, and on both occasions it was the Crows who triumphed. In the first week of the 1997 competition, the Pies were bundled out by a premiership-bound Adelaide at Football Park, Sav Rocca with three, and Buckley named best for Tony Shawís team. The next clash was of far more importance, the 2003 Wizard Cup Grand Final at Telstra Dome. Warm favourites heading into the match, the Magpies booted the first two goals of the night, but from then on were humbled by an Adelaide side piloted by Michael Tuck Medallist Andrew McLeod, while Wayne Carey made his long-awaited debut for his new side in front of a full house. Tarkyn Lockyer, Rupert Betheras and Jason Cloke were among the best for the Woodsmen.
In the premiership season, meanwhile, Adelaide have won five out of their last six meetings with the Pies, their most recent coming in a tense round 22 fixture at Telstra Dome last season.
Broadcast guide:
TV: Channel 7, 8.30pm (AEST)
The tip: In a match such as this, it truly is anyone's game; however Collingwood's most talented players are now those who have 30 or more games under the belt, and a decade ahead of them. Should they play, the Pies should end the trip victorious. Collingwood by 18 points.
This hasn't been the case for Collingwood, however, the players this week coming to the close of their seemingly never-ending summer of chugging around Gosch's Paddock, the light at the end of the pre-season tunnel the clash with fellow 2007 finalists Adelaide at the Dubai Polo and Racing Club.
New rules, new location, new faces, though the there will be nothing new about the attitude the Collingwood players and coaches take into the pre-season competition, for, with such a talented list, competition for places in the team to take on Fremantle in round one will never be higher.
The teams:
COLLINGWOOD*
1. Leon Davis
4. Alan Didak
5. Nick Maxwell
7. Paul Medhurst
9. John Anthony
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Shane OíBree
12. Shannon Cox
13. Dale Thomas
14. Shane Wakelin
15. Chris Egan
16. Nathan Brown
18. Martin Clarke
20. Ben Reid
22. Rhyce Shaw
23. Anthony Rocca
24. Tarkyn Lockyer
25. Josh Fraser
26. Ben Johnson
28. Danny Stanley
29. Ryan Cook
32. Travis Cloke
33. Brad Dick
34. Alan Toovey
36. Dane Swan
37. Sam Iles
39. Heath Shaw
40. Chris Bryan
ADELAIDE
2. Brad Moran
3. Kris Massie
4. Kurt Tippett
5. Scott Thompson
7. Nathan van Berlo
9. Tyson Edwards
10. Jarrhan Jacky
11. Michael Doughty
12. Robert Shirley
14. David Mackay
15. Brad Symes
16. Ken McGregor
17. Bernie Vince
18. Graham Johncock
20. Ivan Maric
21. Chris Knights
22. Andy Otten
23. Andrew McLeod
24. Brett Burton
25. Ben Rutten
26. Richard Douglas
27. Scott Stevens
29. James Sellar
31. Bryce Campbell
33. Brent Reilly
36. Simon Goodwin
40. Jason Porplyzia
44. Nathan Bock
*26 players will represent each team on Saturday.
Summer rewind:
In the 140 days since Collingwood was edged out of the finals race by Geelong, life at the Lexus Centre has been as busy as ever. While supporters unpacked their stockings, caught waves and belted each other over the fence in backyard cricket, the Pies have had plenty on their plate.
The story of the off-season has undoubtedly been the retirements of three of the club's finest sons in Nathan Buckley, James Clement and Paul Licuria. The trio formally called time on wonderful careers at the Copeland Trophy on October the 6th, each thanking the club for the opportunity of a lifetime. A teary Licuria moved many others in the room to tears during his speech, telling the 1800 strong Crown Palladium that the club has "taught him how to dream".
Weeks later, the circus that is AFL trade week came and went, the Magpies swooping on Brisbane ruckman Cameron Wood with an eye to bolstering the clubís perennially understocked ruck department. Born and bred in South Australia, Wood is 204cm, and was selected with the 18th choice in the 2004 National Draft. Despite earning a Rising Star nomination courtesy of promising early season form, Wood was forced to wait in a sizeable queue of Lions ruckmen, the Magpies believing that they may have acquired a bargain, Wood costing the 14th selection at the 2007 National Draft.
In the same week, wingman Ben Davies was thanked for his efforts over his three years in the Black and White, and was shipped to the Kangaroos in exchange for the 96th selection.
Ruckman Guy Richards (39 games) and promoted rookie Daniel Nicholls (one game) joined Buckley, Clement, Licuria and Davies as men to exit the club at seasons end, paving the way for the promotion of Irish sensation Martin Clarke to the senior list, while fellow rookies Sharrod Wellingham and Brent Macaffer were retained.
At the National Draft meeting, Collingwood entered the day with only two live selections, having nominated Jaxson Barham, son of former fan favourite Ricky, as a father-son selection. A product from the famed Geelong Falcons nursery, Barham is set to add speed to the Magpies midfield, and at the age of 19 might be one to make a senior appearance this year.
Joining Barham from the TAC Cup were Dandenong hardnut John McCarthy and Bendigo ruckman Toby Thoolen, the pair having trained under the watchful eye of development coaches Alan Richardson and Gavin Brown throughout the pre-season.
Speaking of Brown, the former skipper and 1990 premiership hero was named as coach of the clubís new VFL team, after the Magpies severed ties with Williamstown after a seven-year alignment.
Weeks later, in the December rookie draft, the Pies formerly added Kevin Dyas to their rookie list, hoping to follow in the footsteps of countryman Marty Clarke. With Wellingham and Macaffer retained, Sandringham defender Luke Casey-Leigh was the final addition to the list.
The talented Wellingham was fined $5000 after a run in with a booze bus saw the clubís sponsorship with the Transport Accident Commission slashed.
Ever innovative and always a step ahead of the pack, Collingwood took their yearly community camp to South Africa, both to spread the game globally and to continue their successful altitude training, having spent time in the past two years in Arizona.
The campaign will come to a close this Saturday night, when they run out to meet the Crows, a team tipped by many to take a tumble down the ladder after years of finals appearances.
The Match Ups:
Although both coaches will again be juggling the best interests of their stars and injured players, there will still be plenty of match-ups of note.
One of the men to watch for Collingwood will be Nathan Brown, a well built key defender who was the 10th selection overall at the 2006 National Draft. Although he was unable to crack the senior scene last season, big things are expected from the former Vic Country representative, having impressed the coaching staff when assigned major roles with Williamstown last year.
Though the Crows lack a star forward, the rangy Nathan Bock has proven difficult to match up on in the past, and should he be thrust into attack, Brown should be the man Mick Malthouse turns to.
Another key defender who is set to line up in Collingwood colours is John Anthony, who is something of a forgotten man after a neck injury saw the line drawn through his name last January. Strong of mind and body, and fiercely determined, Anthony has been touted as a possibility to replace Clement in the role of defensive general.
New rules:
As is the norm, the NAB Cup will again throw up some rules which cause players to think outside the box. As usual, the nine-point 'supergoal' for goals kicked from outside fifty will be in play, while boundary umpires will restart play from boundary throw-ins from 10m inside the field of play. Perhaps the most controversial rule implemented this year is that which sees only 16 interchanges permitted per match, including injuries and blood related rotations, the rule condemned by Malthouse, for it will not allow for players on the comeback trail from injury to take part.
NAB Cup history:
Collingwood and Adelaide have only met twice in the pre-season competition in the past decade, and on both occasions it was the Crows who triumphed. In the first week of the 1997 competition, the Pies were bundled out by a premiership-bound Adelaide at Football Park, Sav Rocca with three, and Buckley named best for Tony Shawís team. The next clash was of far more importance, the 2003 Wizard Cup Grand Final at Telstra Dome. Warm favourites heading into the match, the Magpies booted the first two goals of the night, but from then on were humbled by an Adelaide side piloted by Michael Tuck Medallist Andrew McLeod, while Wayne Carey made his long-awaited debut for his new side in front of a full house. Tarkyn Lockyer, Rupert Betheras and Jason Cloke were among the best for the Woodsmen.
In the premiership season, meanwhile, Adelaide have won five out of their last six meetings with the Pies, their most recent coming in a tense round 22 fixture at Telstra Dome last season.
Broadcast guide:
TV: Channel 7, 8.30pm (AEST)
The tip: In a match such as this, it truly is anyone's game; however Collingwood's most talented players are now those who have 30 or more games under the belt, and a decade ahead of them. Should they play, the Pies should end the trip victorious. Collingwood by 18 points.
