Where are we on the destination club list?

[Albert Parker]

Objectively, Collingwood offers

- the very best training facilities and location
- the largest crowds
- plays home games at the ground where the Grand Final is played
- fanatical supporters and a rich history
- reasonable corporate sponsorship opportunities post career
- given a salary cap, you can get paid as much as any other place (Sydney the exception given their COLA allowance)

accordingly, we rank very highly

Depends on your disposition, but if you're keen to avoid the limelight then take off to Geelong or interstate.
If the weather in our spare time is important - go to Perth or Brisbane

But if you fancy yourself as a big time player, then Collingwood is top 3 I'd think and the ability to win players such as Treloar (vs Tiges), Adams (vs Geelong where he grew up) demonstrates this. Cloke's chose Pies vs Tigers historically too.

Hawthorn's ability to win premierships and the regard that Clarkson is held in makes it clear that they are right up there - think T Mitchell, Jaeger, Gunston, Burgoyne etc. They'd rank No 1.

Richmond's success this year may elevate them. Prestia and Caddy weren't exactly being courted by a wide field though.

Geelong won Dangerfield, but that was unique given he is a surfer and grew up that way. Lachie Henderson was probably sought by others.

Other clubs may attract players from time to time because of opportunities. Lever looks like he's headed to Melbourne, but the cash apparently on offer is well clear of where peers are.

Crows seem to have their act together, but have consistently lost talent because of their location - Tippett, Gunston, Lever (it seems)

Sydney has coerced Franklin and Tippett, but their deals were advantaged by the salary cap. Even Franklin was lost by Hawthorn, so all clubs are vulnerable.

I think we stand toe to toe with any club, with the exception of Hawthorn based upon history.

[Pies4shaw]

White chose us over Adelaide, too.

[cityslick1]

I think you need to judge things as they stand right now, not 2 - 3 years ago when Adams or treloar chose us.

No club captain chose us to make finals this year - and they were right. & no captain will choose us to make finals next year either. So we are not in a premiership window, so therefore are not a destination club. We don't even have any evidence to say that we're on the incline, and the recent instability at the club only serves to potentially harm our reputation further.

Unless the club has a stockpile of cash ready for a gun KPP, or clear out another 8+ names on the list to free up starting 22 spots, players in high demand will likely pass on us ATM.

So we'll instead be limited to continuing to target discarded players with supposed untapped potential - ala Dunn, Mayne, Schade, Talia?... whilst relying on the draft and our young players developing, to improve our current best 22.

[glasseyevfx]

I'm not sure of that; 2-3 years isn't much when your talking impressions and we are coming out of a very even year. A couple of 50 -50 calls and wins would have seen us in the eight - its not a hard argument to make.
Fas wanting to go to WC feels to me a bit against the grain - we've had good flow coming in.
I'm not sure some clubs like dealing with us however - have we ever pick up a good Essendon or Carlton player? Carlton got mick and Daisy.
People seem to like getting out of GWS and Adelaide and they're doing well on the ladder - perhaps cultures under the hood is another question but the Pies seem to keep players unless they want them to go

[Albert Parker]

GWS is a little out of town.
Many players leaving there are squeezed by salary cap I think.

Paying up for Kelly this year (although I am told he'll head to Carlton if they can win a flag). Kennedy possibly on his way to Carlton too. Maybe Smith as well.
Supposedly Rockliff on his way to Carlton this season and Gibbs will leave for Adelaide.
Josh Schache supposedly off to Richmond, despite signing recently too.

[piedys]

[Pies4shaw]

[simon tonna]

why would any one choose Collingwood?
I like coming to work knowing my boss as got my back.
you dont get that at Collingwood.

[piedys]

[Pies4shaw]

Remind me again, who had it before Stewart?

[Doc63]

[piedys]

[Doc63]

[5 from the wing on debut]

[Doc63]