ANALYSIS: Best 22 and Analysis
- Johnson#26
Collingwood:
Best 22 and Analysis - Johnson#26
Best XXII
B: Clement, Prestigiacomo, Wakelin.
HB: Cole, J.Cloke, Johnson.
C: Lonie, Buckley, Woewodin.
HF: Didak, Rocca, Fraser.
F: C.Cloke, Tarrant, Lockyer.
R: Richards, Licuria, Burns.
INTER: Holland, Walker, Davis, McGough.
EMERG: Maxwell, Rowe, McKee.
Squad: Davidson, Hall, King, Morrison Shackleton, R.Shaw, H.Shaw, B.Shaw, Swan, T.Cloke, pick 7, pick 39, pick 55, pick 71, pick 87, pick 103.
In: Maxwell (Rookie promotion) T.Cloke, National Draft Pick 7, National Draft Pick 39, National Draft Pick 55, National Draft Pick 71, National Draft Pick 87, National Draft Pick 103.
Out: Kinnear, Lokan, Mullins, Nixon, O’Bree, Williams, Crow.
All season, Collingwood have been unable to put their best team on the park at the one time. Injury, suspension and poor form have all been the main causes for grief at the selection table.
When fit and firing, there aren’t many better teams then the Magpies. After two seasons at the top of the tree, Collingwood have come back to earth with a loud thud, with a disappoint season in 2004. Many players suffered injury or a loss of form, and many will find themselves victims of a cleanout from Coach Mick Malthouse. Many seasoned names, such as O’Bree and Williams may come under fire, while young guns Nick Maxwell and Julian Rowe will attempt to win their spot in the team.
The defence is the one aspect of the Magpies game that has stood up this season. Despite many injuries, it stood tall against the best of teams, and many players had perhaps their best season of AFL football.
James Clement is the defensive general, and tonight should be named an All-Australian defender for the first time. Simon Prestigiacomo and Shane Wakelin have both suffered injuries this season, but stood up well when the pressure was on. Both have little or no trade value, although the Bulldogs may be slightly interested in Prestigiacomo.
Richard Cole and Ben Johnson have been the Magpies two most improved players in season 2004, with their pace and attack on the ball from half back a feature. Both will look to make the move to the midfield in the next two years.
Jason Cloke had a solid 2004, but there is much room for improvement in his game – such as manning up and field kicking. With Tristan Walker and Nick Maxwell both knocking on the door for a permeant spot, there is healthy competition in the defence.
The midfield is where a few troubles lie. Stars such as Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Paul Licuria and Shane Woewodin have been the envy of many sides, as all four players have the ability to win the ball 25 times or more and use it well.
However, in 2004, all four struggled with injury, and in Buckley and Burns’s case, age. They are not getting any younger, and the run in their legs is evaporating. Time is running out for the first two to bring home that coveted premiership that both dearly desire. Time is against them, but both have one, possibly two good seasons left to squeeze out of their bodies. A full pre-season without injury could possibly see them play 90% of the season in the middle, but only if Malthouse allows them. Malthouse has to find able replacements for them, as they are both keys to the Collingwood side.
Licuria and Woewodin are solid footballers, if not spectacular. Both had injury interrupted pre-seasons in 2004, and were solid performers all season – if not at their best. The replacements could be any of Brayden Shaw, Luke Shackleton, Mark McGough, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan or Julian Rowe. Brodie Holland and Tarkyn Lockyer are willing footballers, who win much of the ball and have good skills, but neither will ever be midfield match winners.
Alan Didak and Leon Davis are both talented footballers, with pace and skill but have constantly lacked consistency over their careers. Both made a start to the midfield transition in 2004, and will see more action in the middle in 2005.
Ryan Lonie played well as a forward, and will this season be used as a wingman. In the ruck, the Magpies are finally developing a solid set up, with Guy Richards and Josh Fraser set to become a fine rucking duo, with Steven McKee as able support. Brent Hall is a young prospect who will take time while Justin Crow is a 50/50 chance of staying on the list.
The attack has been inconsistent and enigmatic in 2004, after a stellar 2003. Spearheads Chris Tarrant and Anthony Rocca were hampered by injury all season and never really got going. Every football watcher knows that when these two fire, Collingwood wins.
When they are out of form, a loss is on the cards. Both need big pre-seasons to enable a finals performance for the Pies. The missing link of the third tall forward could well have been finally found, with Josh Fraser being released by Guy Richards’s emergence to the forward line, helping piece together a formidable forward setup.
Cameron Cloke showed grunt and strength in 2004 and may be asked to perform a Jarrod Molloy type role, of bullocking and pushing the opposition aside for the smaller players. Didak and Davis are a dangerous duo, and will play up forward – as well as spending some time in the midfield.
Tom Davidson is expected to return from two knee injuries in 2005 to add to an already potent combination. There is also Billy Morrison waiting in the wings – albeit, the Williamstown reserves. Despite being a raw footballer, Morrison is a chance to come from nowhere to play senior football for Collingwood in 2005.
As a conclusion, with an injury free season and a little bit of confidence, Collingwood is a chance to return to the top eight in 2005 and possibly the top four. With their stars firing, there is a chance that Collingwood will take home the premiership flag in 2005.