2010 AFL Season Preview - Collingwood

By Allblack
So Collingwood. I have to take the blinders off and try and look at them honestly. They scare me though and the potential is there for a very good year.

They had the second best performed defense in the AFL last year. This was on the back of Presti returning to career best form, the only question mark would be around his age but he is a little like Fletch in not really showing signs of dropping off. Maxwell has thrived with the captaincy and has already exceeded my expectations. They have solid young KP players in Brown and Goldsack as well as Toovey in a stretch. O’Brien solidified his reputation last year andseems to find a way to get the job done without infringing. I do think though that a tighter interpretation of holding the man rules could find him struggling a little. I think Shaw was found out a little last year when he was forced to play on a man but still a very good player off half back.

The midfield has talent. Swan had his best year last year, I am not convinced the hype matches the output and not sure he does enough damage to teams but he finds the ball and distributes it well. Pendelbury is apparently training well (isnt everyone this time of year) and give the midfield a lot more class when he is up and running. Ball will be a handy addition this year and will be dangerous with a point to prove. Sidebottom and Beams announced themselves last year and would expect more from them this year. Sidebottom in particular has a lot more upside still to come. O’Bree and Johnson may struggle to break into the team this year as the young players start to stake their claim but both are still solid contributors. If O’Bree cant play regular football you know the Pies will be flying. Didak will be around the middle a lot again this year and he is a genuine match winner.

The forward line is probably the main worry for the Pies but the talent is there as well. Medhurst had a poor year last year but is still a quality player. Leigh Brown for mine will probably struggle for a game this year. Travis Cloke would have been a massive disappointment last year but the potential is there and I would expect him to bounce back. Anthony had his best year but I think needs to be a second or third target rather than the first one which is why they need Cloke to find some touch. Dick showed glimpses last year but is fighting to get fit. Davis is under immense pressure after another disappointing finals series, he is 28 and needs to build his reputation come December. Lockyer was good last year around the forward line and see no reason he wont continue to perform. Dale Thomas needs to step up and realise the potential he has been sold on, his habit of going missing for large portions of games is going to wear thin eventually. They woudl love to have Rusling and Dawes running around and who knows, they may.

The ruck stocks look good all of a sudden. After trying to find a ruckman over the past couple of years they now have options. Jolly is one of the best rucks in the league, Wood still has growth left as a player and Fraser who will probably play more as a forward is still there if needed.

the coaching situation is a strange one with Mathouse serving his last couple before Buckley comes in. I think Mathouse needs a premiership now to solidify his reputation. He has been a long time without one. This year he enters his 16th season since he last win a big one. Not many coaches get that sort of opportunity.

I am scared by Collingwood this year. If they can make the forward line work then the sky is the limit this year. They didnt miss by much last year and have added Jolly and Ball to the line up. No one wants to believe it but this could well be the year for Collingwood. Top 2 for mine.

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Posted  5 February 10 in Important Articles