Upon marking in front of his eyes early in the club’s 40-minute scratch match at Gosch’s Paddock on Friday, Didak copped a high knock from new teammate Leigh Brown.
No harm was done as he quickly regained his feet and got on with proceedings, an apologetic slap on the back from Brown ensuring everything was cool between the pair.
The Magpies ripped into their work in impressive fashion during two 20-minute halves – the intra-club game the conclusion to another solid session in warm conditions.
“Today was a fair-dinkum hit-out and the boys seemed to adapt quite well,” Scott said.
Didak was among the stars on Friday, booting a couple of trademark running goals as his side – wearing red jumpers – easily accounted for the grey team.
Brown was also good on the day. While Travis Cloke, having his first serious test since being assaulted on the Sunshine Coast on New Year’s Eve, moved well up forward and could have booted a couple, Brown led well at the other end in his grey jumper.
Perhaps most excitingly for the few onlookers was the poise shown by new recruits.
Steele Sidebottom’s much-publicised tank was on display as he found plenty of space early and looked composed with the footy, while fellow draftee Dayne Beams was a standout – not just because of the ink that sleeves his entire right arm.
His clever hands set up an early goal to Leon Davis while his finishing skills – he booted two goals – also impressed.
Scott said the club was rapt with all its new acquisitions.
“We’ve been really happy with the way they’ve progressed,” he said.
“As most clubs do with first-year players these days, we’ve held them right back throughout the pre-season but those two guys have been going very well.
“We’ve been happy with Luke Rounds and Jarrad Blight has performed really well.”
With their first NAB Cup clash just 15 days out, Collingwood has been gradually upping its intensity and increasing the number of game-like skills at training.
“With that February 7 game, we’ve got to bring our schedule forward,” Scott said.
“We hoped that game might have been pushed back when South Africa was cancelled, but it’s still Feb 7 so we’ve got to prepare for a fair dinkum match on that date.”
Most of the Magpies’ list enjoyed a run on Friday although some players were rested.
Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst – who did run-throughs on a nearby oval – and Sean Rusling are all continuing their rehabilitation from injury and didn’t play while Dane Swan, Tarkyn Lockyer and Shane O’Bree were spared the workout.
With a few players missing, former club champion and now Collingwood’s VFL Manager Paul Licuria not only managed to earn some match time, but also turn back the clock a few years by finding some space and drilling a goal.
“That’s a concern,” Scott said with a smile.
“But in our defence he was playing on David Buttifant, our high performance manager … I’m sure Licca will be giving it to Butters for a fair time to come!”
