Collingwood 2014

[bennymacca]

Its so hard to guage where Collingwood is at, because they have had such a good draw at the start of the season. It was early on, but they got smashed by the crows and Geelong, lost narrowly to Richmond, and have beaten Brisbane, St Kilda, Essendon, Carlton, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, Melbourne.

You can only beat the teams you play, and they have done a good job at that, but they also havent notched a win against a team inside the top eight.

I suspect they will scrape into the finals, but their next month will be a huge test. If they can jag two or more of the games against GWS, Freo, Hawthorn, Port, West Coast, we can start rating them as a threat.

Reckon they are behind Freo, Sydney, Hawthorn, and dare I say it, Richmond, and in the next group of teams along with West Coast, GWS, Adelaide, Port Adelaide, and North Melbourne, who will finish in spots 5-10, but where is anyone's guess at the moment.

[Q.]

I think there are a couple of downhill skiers in the side, but the main stumbling block is inexperience at this point. On Monday, I'm pretty sure we had 10 players with less than 50 games, then another 4-5 in the 50-75 game range. As Hird said on the weekend, history shows you don't win games with that level of inexperience, so with that in mind I think Buckley is doing a good job and we are in a fantastic position.

[Lightning McQueen]

Very true. He's actually winning me over a bit. Providing some run and breaking lines.
The test, for me, is coming - when we play some of the big premiership threats - but it's a test for the whole side, really.
Front runners? Or have we truly developed as well as our position suggests?

Sorry but I think you guys are in the 'developing' category, your 7 wins have been against the bottom 7 sides and lost against 7th, 8th and 10th, there's been promising signs but you haven't played a top 6 side yet.
Having said that, I think you'll win this week and then more than likely lose the next 3 before facing West Coast which will give you a true indication where you're at.
On the flip side, you still have some of the easier teams to face on the run home with a couple of harder games, I think you'll get a home final in week one.

[Q.]

Yeah, I was taking the piss. White is an okay foil to Cloke and is a handy chop out for Grundy, but he'll never be dangerous or imposing.

On that, thought, when Cloke is on song, I'm happy for White to be playing as that foil. But, when Cloke's having an off day, or month, we need White to be doing more.

I seriously think the club is banking on Moore developing quickly and Reid returning to AA form and will look to land a premium midfielder to replace Swan when he retires.

There is also a forgotten man here in Matty Scharenberg.

If he can overcome his injury concerns and find a spot in the 22 along with Reid, and Collingwood can develop Moore- there is some serious KP versatility in the Pies squad.

Jordan De Goey would be the player the Pies are looking to groom to replace Swan I would think.

Shaz yet to sign, linked with a return to SA.

DeGoey makes me gooey inside.

[Lightning McQueen]

I think there are a couple of downhill skiers in the side, but the main stumbling block is inexperience at this point. On Monday, I'm pretty sure we had 10 players with less than 50 games, then another 4-5 in the 50-75 game range. As Hird said on the weekend, history shows you don't win games with that level of inexperience, so with that in mind I think Buckley is doing a good job and we are in a fantastic position.

They're definitely heading in the right direction, they are exciting to watch, I love watching Adams go about his craft and Elliott is going to reach a new level soon and maintain a level of excellence IMO.

[Dogwatcher]

Can definitely see that with De Gooey and, also, Broomhead. Who is really going to start coming into his own in the back end of the season.

[Q.]

Broomy has been a touch disappointing in the ones this year. Racks up 40 touches in the VFL, but barely sighted him on Saturday.

[Dogwatcher]

He's never given a consistent shot, though.
I reckon, given a consistent shot, he'll come through.

[Lightning McQueen]

Broomy has been a touch disappointing in the ones this year. Racks up 40 touches in the VFL, but barely sighted him on Saturday.

Should having him sweeping across the half back line.

[Q.]

He's never given a consistent shot, though.
I reckon, given a consistent shot, he'll come through.

Yeah, probably right, same with Ben Kennedy I guess. Doesn't have much time with Adams and Greenwood due back after the bye.

[Dogwatcher]

I'm not completely sold with Kennedy. Although, having Josh Thomas on a self-imposed break has meant he has one less competitor. I always felt like Kennedy, Elliot and Thomas were fighting for the same position and Kennedy was third in that list.
Elliot has now made his spot his own and is no longer in competition with Kennedy.
Broomhead, for mine, is definitely ahead of Kennedy.

I always think of Degrassi and laugh when I hear Broomhead's name.

[Q.]

Kennedy is a midfielder. Has been hampered by injuries and interrupted pre-seasons. Now he's got a tank, I think he's showing his worth. 38 possessions in the VFL last week and had an impact when he came on as sub on Monday.

Like Broomy, needs to be given an opportunity in the ones for a while.

[Lightning McQueen]

I always think of Degrassi and laugh when I hear Broomhead's name.

Collingwood are the benchmark of weird surnames.

[Dogwatcher]

I thought it was great the Collingwood FC managed to get 'Prestigiacomo-esque' in a tweet on Monday.

PS: Broomhead was an insult Arthur used in Degrassi

[MatteeG]

[Dogwatcher]

Stephanie K's brother wasn't he?

"All the way with Stephanie K!"

[tigerpie]

Possibly. I don't think whites the answer, and clokes not getting any younger.
Is he worth chasing though?
We'll have to find a replacement for Keefe so a key back might be our priority.
Any idea when the tribunal will sit for Keefe and Thomas?

[Dogwatcher]

Thought I'd share this, Pies supporters might be interested:

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/in-my-opinion-48/

[Frosty]

Anyone know what Seedsman has done wrong to be left out of the side again?

He's gone from Anzac Medallist to not even being on the emergency list and he's not named on the injury list either.

[Q.]

Anyone know what Seedsman has done wrong to be left out of the side again?

He's gone from Anzac Medallist to not even being on the emergency list and he's not named on the injury list either.

He's been rubbish since winning that medal.