The Look Ahead will be the staple pre-season content piece, setting a tone for all 18 teams. The plan is to use them as a scene setter for team trends and individuals. In other words, don’t expect predictions, expect topics to be introduced – from both a list build and on-field perspective.
The undisputed leaders in nearly every on-field aspect, everyone’s chasing Collingwood in 2024.
Player contracts
For me, the most interesting name in 2024’s column in Fin Macrae.
In theory he’s supposed to become the inside midfielder for the next generation, but 12 games in three years – three in the last two – has meant a slow burn.
Judging by the intra club (I know, dangerous to make conclusions on that but roll with me), he’ll be getting more opportunities. If he makes the most of them, clubs are going to come knocking – if they aren’t sniffing around already.
List demographics
It’s probably a good thing for 17 other teams Collingwood haven’t drafted as well as they’ve brought in players from other teams. Otherwise it’d be curtains for the league for a very, very long time.
The post-flag glow and immaculate coaching over the last two years make it silly to suggest anything should have been done differently. However (sorry), it’ll be interesting to see how much focus goes on introducing new blood this year if we start to see any age-related decline or just general poor form.
Comments in last year’s trade period suggested Collingwood would look more towards the trade space to stay up as long as possible, which then resulted in the arrival of Schultz. In the meantime, without much in the way of reliable depth (yet), there looms a period where there might be plenty of pressure on plenty of unproven players to keep the team in top four contention.
Create your own Collingwood Depth Chart
(*note: SSP players will be added in the coming days)
Changes in personnel
In:
National Draft: Harry DeMattia, Tew Jiath
SSP: Jack Bytel, Josh Eyre, Lachie Sullivan
From other clubs: Lachie Schultz
Out: Taylor Adams, Trent Bianco, Arlo Draper, Jack Ginnivan, Will Kelly, Cooper Murley, Trey Ruscoe, Tom Wilson
What changes will Collingwood make to their personnel setup?
It’s been mentioned here and there, but with Schultz not a straight swap for the departed Adams role-wise, and McStay likely out for the entire year, there’ll have to be a reshuffle somewhere.
With McCreery apparently earning more midfield minutes, Macrae in line for games as well, and McInnes reportedly with inside running to replace McStay, there are multiple options.
If the last two years have taught us anything, Collingwood will find the exact right combination from game one and continue on their merry way. But it’d be nice, as someone who enjoys watching teams search for the magic mix, to see a couple of different things tried first. Is that too much to ask?
What changes will Collingwood make to their style setup?
Track watchers have suggested a renewed focus on handballing through congestion and chains, which is intriguing.
As detailed throughout 2023, much of Collingwood’s success came from breaking the first line of pressure as quickly as possible. Whether it was by hand or foot didn’t really matter, as evidenced by their mid-table standing in kick to handball ratio.
In theory, more handballing invites more pressure and higher risk.
But given parts of Collingwood’s game borrow heavily from soccer, there could be an element of baiting the press before playing around or over it. It’s in vogue at the moment in the round ball game, increased passing ability drawing defences in before leaving them stranded.
A similar mindset here could prove fruitful if the shift succeeds.
What is success for Collingwood in 2024?
Undoubtedly they’ll be aiming for back-to-back flags, a feat they last accomplished nearly 90 years ago.
There’s always the danger of a post-flag drop off, especially so with an experienced team. But in this case the football Collingwood are playing is so fresh – with no team close to solving it yet – that it should mitigate some of the normal factors facing reigning premiers.