Will they improve? Will they regress? The big questions facing Collingwood in 2025

10/27/2024 04:25 PM

SEN Breakfast hosts Kane Cornes and Sam Edmund have run their eyes over Collingwood and how they're shaping up for the 2025 campaign.

With the trade and free agency period now complete, Cornes and Edmund discussed how the club may improve in 2025, how they may regress if things go wrong and the big questions facing the club next season.

The Magpies finished the 2024 season in ninth position with 12 wins and two draws, unable to defend their 2023 premiership.

How can they improve?

"For a start there's no premiership curse, no hangover, and a longer preparation," said Edmund.

"I'd like to think that Dan McStay plays more than five games, Brody Mihocek gets a clean run at it, and like a lot of clubs, a better run with injury will help.

"Lachie Schultz lives up to his ability next year as well, Dan Houston is an upgrade on John Noble.

"That's why I think they'll be better."

Cornes added: "Health is the main reason.

"Jordan De Goey was nowhere near his best, Jamie Elliott was injured.

"The second factor is Dan Houston and Harry Perryman give you some depth, Houston in particular.

"Perryman is a nice-to-have, he's not going to be the difference of them winning 16 games as opposed to winning 13. He helps with the versatility.

"They love multiple position players at Collingwood. The names Daicos, Crisp, Sidebottom, Pendlebury, the multiple position players.

"They're all in. The expectations will be higher, they'll get a long pre-season that they didn't have last year which will is always beneficial.

"They're organised, experienced and have most positions covered."

How might they regress?

"They are a defender short down back," Edmund said.

"They went for Mark Keane, they tried for Tom Doedee the year before that, Nathan Murphy's retirement has been the itch they haven't been able to scratch. Again they could be further exposed down back with an injury.

"Its hard to find any reason for them to be worse."

Cornes added: "They don't have a genuine key forward do they?

"Main forwards are kicking you 60 goals, McStay is nowhere near a main forward, he's your third.

"Mihocek is your guy and once again not a significant goal kicker. Can those two work in combination? Yep, they can.

"Mason Cox, the game is past him so don't expect too much from big Mason."

The other 2025 burning questions

"Can they get their off-field stuff sorted out?," asked Edmund.

"The ship has been wobbly there since Graham Wright stepped away from the club. They've got to find a new head of footy after they missed on Danny Daly."

Cornes added: "Plus, the age of their group.

"How many games do you get from Scott Pendlebury? What role does Tom Mitchell have to play? Can Steele Sidebottom play to the level he did last year? Can Darcy Moore get back to the player he was a couple of seasons ago after finishing 10th in the best and fairest and having a really poor year as the captain of the footy club? There is a lot of question marks on Collingwood.

"If it goes well, they're going to be in the mix to be there on prelim final weekend, there's no doubt about that."