Joined AFL: 1897
Premierships: 14 - 1902, 1903, 1910, 1917, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1936, 1953, 1958, 1990
Last finals appearance: 2006 elimination final2006 at a glance:
Collingwood started season 2006 as if propelled out of a cannon, winning five of its first six games and nine of the first 12. The young Magpies ran out of puff after the split round, however, losing three straight and going 5-6 during the last 11 matches of the home-and-away campaign. Worse was to come for Pies fans in September, when Mick Malthouse's side meekly surrendered to the Western Bulldogs in the first elimination final.2007 to date:
The Magpies became the Kangaroos' first victims at Carrara in round one of the NAB Cup, but they gained revenge on the opening weekend of the season proper, coming from 25 points at three-quarter time to snatch an amazing three-point win versus the Roos. Since then, the Pies have kicked on, losing narrowly to West Coast and Port Adelaide, but toppling Richmond, Essendon, Adelaide and Carlton. Last week Mick Malthouse's men carried a 17-point lead into half time of their game against the Western Bulldogs but were overrun thereafter and lost by 33 points. They currently sit at 5-3 in seventh spot.The coach:
After establishing a robotic public persona as two-time premiership coach of West Coast, former St Kilda and Richmond back pocket Mick Malthouse has been reborn as a statesman at Collingwood. He's scaled the heights and plumbed the depths in his time in charge of the Magpies - from grand final appearances against the Lions in 2002 and 2003, to 13th and 15th place finishes in 2004 and 2005 and a return to finals action last-year.Missing in action:
Magpies skipper Nathan Buckley remains out with a hamstring injury, with Paul Licuria (hamstring) and Ryan Lonie (groin) unavailable. Aside, from that and the long-term absence of Sean Rusling (shoulder), Collingwood should have the rest of its best 22 to pick from - subject to a fitness test for All-Australian defender James Clement (calf).The gun:
This title used to belong exclusively to the ‘hamstricken’ Nathan Buckley. Now, it's Dale Thomas's for the taking. Although not yet at Buckley's level , Thomas might be the best Collingwood excitement machine since Peter Daicos. He's quick, skillful, takes screamers, has shown an aptitude for kicking goals - both the regulation and spectacular ones - and has enormous hair. But does he run as well the other way as he does going forward? The Lions will be keen to test him out.The bolter:
Harry O'Brien used to be best known for being of Brazilian extraction. But he's rapidly coming to epitomise the modern-day flexible defender. At 188cm and 87 kg, O'Brien did a number on Essendon's Scott Lucas on Anzac Day, kept star Bulldog Brad Johnson to a solitary goal last weekend and is blossoming into commentator Robert Walls' favourite footballer. The question this week is which Lion he'll line up on.Strengths:
The Pies have plenty of young players coming through the ranks, who, when in synch, play a vibrant, creative, entertaining and successful brand of football. There is also a wealth of experience thanks to the likes of Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer and James Clement. Anthony Rocca, at his best, is a strong-marking forward whose shooting range extends to 70m, while Josh Fraser has great ability - some of it still untapped - as a mobile ruckman.Weaknesses:
An injection of youth has added pace to the midfield but players such as Burns, Lockyer and Shane O'Bree still won't be be competing in the Stawell Gift any time soon. Rocca and Fraser are inconsistent and the Magpies have lost their radar in front of goal over the last month - 54.78 from their last four outings. Then there is the travel factor. The Pies only play outside of Victoria four times in 2007 and haven't made the trek to Brisbane since 2005. Also, can Simon Prestigiacomo keep up with Jonathan Brown?The Queensland factor:
Collingwood doesn't have any native Queenslanders on its list but does have two players who spent time in Brisbane - Buckley and O'Bree. Lions premiership players Brad Scott and Blake Caracella are on the Magpies' coaching staff as assistants.
