Nick's Collingwood Page - The 2004 Team

A dour defender from South Australia, Wakelin made his AFL debut with the Saints along side his twin brother Darrell. Wakelin was unable to establish a regular spot in the strong Saints line up and was delisted at the end of 2000 due to recurring achillis injuries.
In the 2000 draft, Collingwood happily snapped up the defender and moulded him into one of the dourest defenders in the league. In his first season in the Black and White, Wakelin was pitted against names such as Lloyd, Richardson and Carey, where his competed well. In 2002, Wakelin stepped up another notch, using his excellent foot skills to advantage.
His duel with champion Lions forward Alistair Lynch in 2002 Grand Final will be something to be remembered for years to come. On top all day, Wakelin was penalised in the last ten minutes for a soft free kick, allowing Lynch a rare shot at goal. Wakelin was much the same in 2003, where he became one of the best defenders in the league. But his year was soured, when old foe Lynch tossed him like a rag doll in the Grand Final. He continued his consistency in 2004, where he stood up for his side in a trying start to the year.