The Collingwood List

No-one knows a player’s potential like someone who barracks for the team he plays for. That fan has either been watching him since he first started playing or been eagerly researching him since the day his name was called out by Andy D at the draft.

And so it is with Collingwood and avid site reader Bender. All hail Bender for throwing the following analysis together in under 24 hours. Over the next 4 posts, he breaks down all the blokes that you’re no doubt considering for your team this year and tells you whether they should be considered for your team or avoided. Great job, mate, thank you.

Nathan Brown ($200,700) – A serious preseason knee injury at about this time last year and then a kneecap dislocation while in Arizona mid-year kept Nathan Brown on the sidelines for all of 2011. From all reports he is completely recovered from these injuries, is looking fit and moving extremely well. His role as a negating tall defender may put many off, but it’s just too hard to ignore a premiership player, priced at just 200k who will slot straight back into the Magpies line up.

Marty Clarke ($170,000) – The Irishman returns to Collingwood, via a trade with GWS, after two years out of AFL footy. In 2008 he averaged 80.4 from 20 games. However the following year was not as profitable with a 70.9 avg from 12 games. Clarke is extremely suited for today’s modern game with his exceptional endurance running. Now 24 years old with 46 games under his belt (’07-’09). He’s as cheap as chips and there is a spot for him in the Magpies’ backline. Jump on!

Ben Reid ($429,000, 79.1, 22) – Played all 22 games last year in somewhat of a breakout season to avg 79.1 ppg and earn All Australian honors. He should play with a bit more freedom this year with Nathan Brown playing the shut-down role. Had an unfortunate fall while holidaying in Bali with brother Sam which injured his shoulder and as a result is a bit behind in weights training thus far. For this reason, he’s not in my side, but at just 22 his best footy is in front of him and I think he’ll be a must in 2013.

Heath Shaw ($546,700, 100.9, 14) – The Magpies’ general in defense. Yes we all know that he missed the final eight games of the year last year because he placed a bet on a footy match, but at least it wasn’t through injury. The odds are that he won’t do that again, but you never know when an injury could strike. His body should be fresh entering 2012 and at 26 years of age, he is in the prime of his footy career. Averaged 100.9 last year and with Leon Davis no longer around, the Pies should use Shaw more than ever as their drive out of defense.

Peter Yagmoor ($106,600) – Another acquisition through a trade with the Giants. This time the Pies gave up pick 47 and received Yagmoor and pick 50 in return. He has been touted as a mid-term succession strategy to Leon Davis, so I wouldn’t expect too many games out of him this year, even though by all reports he’s been “training the house down”.

Tom Young ($242,900, 56.0, 2) – Made his AFL debut last year with two games after being promoted straight to Collingwood’s senior list from the NSW scholarship program at the end of 2010. He will play more than that this season and will make you money, but will it be enough? The short answer is NO, as i believe he is being groomed as a tagger. The first ‘ranga on Collingwood’s list since Jason Wild.

Tagged as: 2012, brown, Clarke, Collingwood, defender, Reid, Shaw, supercoach, Yagmoor, Young