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The year ahead: Pies & Tiges |
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by Jason Czorny and Matthew Nogajski | behindthegame.com.au
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BehindTheGame previews the coming season of club's Collingwood and Richmond, who finished last year in 4th and 15th respectively.
Note: For season previews of all other clubs, please see 'Columnists'.
COLLINGWOOD
Last year
In 2007 Collingwood finished 4th, before going down by 5 points in the preliminary final by eventual premiers Geelong.
The Magpies undoubtedly performed above what was initially expected of them. This was largely due to the outstanding development of the younger brigade, namely Travis Cloke, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas, Martin Clarke, Tyson Goldsack and Harry O'Brien. In particular Travis Cloke and Scott Pendlebury, who made the transition from talented youngsters to stars in their own right, as they finished 1st and 2nd in the Copeland Trophy.
Nathan Buckley, who is considered to be one of Collingwood's greatest ever players, announced his retirement following the loss to Geelong. He will be sorely missed around the club, and Scott Burns has been chosen to replace him as captain.
James Clement also provided a massive shock, also announcing his retirement from AFL not too long after Buckley's. Unlike Buckley's announcement, this was totally unexpected, and left many fans wondering how they could replace Collingwood's best midfielder and best defender for 2008.
All in all Collingwood's 2007 was very impressive, but yet again it was a case of performing well but having nothing to show for it.
Strengths
- Key forwards
Aside from their well-documented fighting spirit and hard working playing style, Collingwood possesses a potentially destructive forward line. The much-maligned Anthony Rocca is still an important player to Collingwood, and can change a game in a single quarter by himself. He led the AFL in contested marks in 2007 and kicked over 50 goals, which is more than satisfactory for the go-to man. Travis Cloke is arguably the most exciting centre-half forward prospect in the AFL, standing at 196cm and weighing in at 103kg, he is big enough to go one-on-one with any defender, but has the stamina to run all day.
- Didak and Co
Collingwood also possess intelligent small forwards with elite finishing, namely Alan Didak, Leon Davis, Paul Medhurst and Dale Thomas. Didak and Thomas add plenty of creativity, inspiration and flair. Their ability to create a goal out of nothing is reminiscent of Collingwood legend Peter Daicos. Leon Davis and Paul Medhurst would be considered two of the most reliable shots at goal in the Collingwood line-up. With young up-and-comers such as Ben Reid and Sean Rusling, Collingwood’s forward line is definitely its biggest weapon going into 2008.
It possesses many different ingredients, and opposition coaches may struggle to find the right match ups come game-day.
Weakness
- Ruck stocks
You only have to watch the preliminary final in 2007 to see that Collingwood’s ruck division was lacking. Guy Richards was de-listed in the off-season, and Cameron Wood was picked up from Brisbane, which leaves Collingwood’s ruck stocks with Josh Fraser, Cameron Wood and Chris Bryan.
Fraser is arguably the most effective ruckmen around the ground in the AFL, but in terms of ruck-work, he still leaves a lot to be desired. Cameron Wood has enjoyed quite a good pre-season, performing admirably in most practice matches. His tap-work is no doubt the best there is at Collingwood, but he is still only in his 3rd year and still relatively skinny. Whether he can shoulder the burden of being an important player to a side aiming for a top 4 placing remains to be seen. Chris Bryan is definitely the weak link. Bryan tries hard, but struggles at AFL level, and could only be considered back up at this stage.
Key players
- Heath Shaw
A born half back, Shaw is not only Collingwood's best defender, but he also provides rebound off the half back line that is equal to that of anyone else at Collingwood. He is courageous, anticipates and reads the play at an astounding level, and shows impressive leadership, which allows him to act as the general in the back half. All these factors make him Collingwood’s best, and most important defender going into 2008.
- Travis Cloke
2007 Copeland Trophy winner Cloke has without doubt over taken Anthony Rocca as Collingwood’s best forward. Is able to beat the best defenders in the business, which was shown in 2007 when he kicked career best figures on All Australia centre halfback Matthew Egan. Unfortunately, his set shots for goal let him down on a regular basis. If he can start to convert his chances at the level that is expected of him, the sky is the limit.
Rookie to watch
Collingwood have a number of highly rated players yet to debut. The one to watch would be John Anthony. A well built defender who can play both tall or small. In the pre-season he has been used both down back and up forward, almost in a role similar to that of Adam Hunter at the Eagles. Anthony was drafted in 2005, and spent 2006 developing at VFL level. His 2007 season was over before it started, when he received a neck injury and was forced to sit out the entire season. He is now back, as fit as ever, and should be able to play the majority of games in 2008.
Verdict
A top 8 finish is definitely the minimum requirement for Collingwood in 2008. After their top 4 finish in 2007, improvement is expected, and a top 4 finish is definitely on the cards. Anywhere between 3rd and 7th is the expected area the Pies will finish.
RICHMOND
Last year
The Tigers did not register a win until the mid-way point of the season, contributing to great lack in confidence and yet another season at the bottom of the AFL. They finished 15th, notably winning the game - the 'Kreuzer Cup' - they controversially wanted to lose against Carlton in round 22. The loser would effectively receive Matthew Kreuzer, the eventual #1 pick in the 2007 draft.
More positively, rookie listed Jake King, dashing young wingman Shane Edwards and versatile big man Graham Polak along with the competition's most improved player, Nathan Foley, were amongst the team's best throughout the season.
Club champion Matthew Richardson finally won the club's best and fairest award after numerous top-5 finishes, clinching the award just ahead of Foley.
Injuries to key ruckman Troy Simmonds, majestic forward Nathan Brown and again to midfielder Mark Coghlaun all proved costly in a season all Tigers fans would like to forget.
Strength
- Forward line
The area Richmond can definitely hurt you is undoubtedly inside their forward 50. Perched around Matthew Richardson, medium sized guns Nathan Brown and Brett Deledio could cause havoc providing full fitness. Furthmore, erratic goal-sneak Richard Tambling is due for a potential-showing season.
Weaknesses
- Key positions
A lack of developed key-position players has caused the downfall of the Tigers for the best part of five seasons. Jay Shulz, Cleve Hughes, and Luke McGuane all need to be developed as soon as possible if Richmond want to be taking part in September. - Discipline
Lazy-poor delivery to forwards and skills across the board has also been costly, as has poor decision making from the same players year in year out. Wallace must enforce discipline despite possessing such a young list.
Key players
- Midfield brigade
Ruckman Simmonds, and engine room on-ballers Foley, Shane Tuck and captain Kane Johnson will all be crucial. Last season Foley led the competition in clearances and finished inside the top 5 of many other midfeilder-dominated tallies such as hard ball gets. Drastically improving Brett Deledio will also spend spurts in the middle.
- Nathan Brown
Coach Terry Wallace will be sweating on the fitness of classy forward Brown, who has not played a full season of football since the ex-Bulldog horrifically broke his leg in 2005. Brown is one of the best players in the competition once fully fit and firing.
- 'Richo'
Focal point forward Matthew Richardson will also be vital, with the centre-half forward coming off the back of a great 2007 season. Again topping his team's goal-kicking tally, Richo's endurance has showed no signs of slowwing up as he enters veteran status.
Rookie to watch
Young Shane Edwards debuted brilliantly at AAMI Stadium last season, and is one Wallace's genuine young aces. In one of his first touches of the ball on his debut, he confidently burst by Norm Smith medallist Andrew McLeod before setting up a goal-scoring opportunity. Richmond will be expecting big things of the young indigenous talent in years to come.
Verdict
With immense pressure on Terry Wallace and his coaching staff, Richmond should show further signs of one day playing finals footy. However, it is difficult to see the club winning enough games - 11 plus - to feature in September. |
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