The final portion of this analysis covers the midfield, including ruck stocks. I’ll be adhering to the existing three tier structure for most of the assessment, with an initial deviation to cover the midfield in a broad sense. The midfield is very much where premierships are won from, being that the middle is effectively where…
Month: December 2011
Depth Analysis Part 2: Defenders
Part two of this year’s depth analysis, covering our defensive stocks from the established players to the freshest of faces.
Depth Analysis Part 1: Forwards
Now that our playing list has been finalised, we can begin to assess the make-up of our current playing stocks. Our depth took a hammering after several retirements at the end of our premiership success, resulting in less competition for spots at senior level, whilst a youthful VFL side battled up hill against hardened and…
J-Mac To Port, Dick To West Coast, No Love For Leon
Every year brings change and in 2011 it was John McCarthy, Brad Dick and Leon Davis who, for varying reasons, decided to depart Collingwood. The trio left the Westpac Centre with no hard feelings for the most part, with McCarthy and Dick managing to find new homes in the Preseason and Rookie Draft. The big…
Rookie Draft Aftermath
The final segments of the draft process took place today, playing out as most of us worked and wondered. Heading in, there was plenty of word on who Collingwood might be interested in, but as is usually the case, the names that we read out were, for the most part, unexpected. What was expected was…
Leon Adrift
One of the more talked about stories this off-season has been the uncertain fate of Leon Davis, who currently faces AFL extinction with Port Adelaide confirming that they will not be drafting the 2011 All-Australian during the upcoming Preseason Draft. It’s a story that is hard to fathom, perhaps an example of ill conceived player…
Nate: The Road Back
Earlier this week I wrote an article highlighting a few players who – God willing – could provide the required improvement for the team to once again lift the cup. Nathan Brown wasn’t included amongst those players, but with the recent news of his contract extension for a further two years, on the back of…
Improvement In Our Midst
It’s impossible to think of anything more painful than falling short on Grand Final day — in football terms of course. Our glory in 2010 perhaps made the disappointment of 2011 a little easier to stomach, but the medicinal aspect of a recent premiership wears off quickly when the reality of a missed opportunity sinks…