AFL 2016: Collingwood Edition | Thebigtip

CAPTAIN

Scott Pendlebury

Of the 6 leadership player only he and Harry O are young enough to take on the job for 2016. With Nick Maxwell having a couple more years in him Pendles should take over the Pies for the transition phase of the club. With Collingwood still being in contention for a flag for 2 or 3 years, a large chunk of Scott's captaincy will be in a youthful team sitting in contrasting spots to the 2010/2011 Magpies. Pendlebury will be the right man for the job with a unexperienced side needing a captain that leads with his voice and with his actions which is certaintly what he can do.

STARS

Dale Thomas

The boy that went in the same draft as his future captain, Daisy will be that Didak like player with a little bit more about him. Daisy is a trademark showman and game changer. We say in the Prelim Final against the Hawks his run down tackle which sealed the game for the 2010 Premiers, just what a game winner he is. Daisy can deliever the unbelievable and unexpected moments just like Dids although that little bit more is that undefeatable attitude with confindence flowing over the brim. Daisy rarely goes missing and when the going gets tough the tough get going.

Ben Reid

With just over 50 games under his belt he is an All Australian for the first time and definatly not the last time i might add. This tall defender is the key to the Collingwood backline which has numerous rebounding players but after the loss of Presti they needed this knight in shining armour to save the day and that he did. Collingwood have built their game around that defensive press and with a born leader in Ried marshalling the troops way past 2016 he will be the main man for many years to come. In 2016 the Pies backline can expect a much harder road than what they have today without some of their key men they will become vulnareble with the lack of experience they possess, it is crucial they hold on to this guy with GWS showing intrest in a host of Pies.

OUTS

Alan Didak

A steep decline in form over the past 2 years may be the signal for Dids to start thinking about hanging up the boots. No Question that he wont be there in 2016.

Ben Johnson

At 31 years of age coming into the 2012 year, 2016 is way out of the question. Johnson will be looking to put up 250 games and another premiership in his last couple of years.

Nick Maxwell

Also 31 years old, the captain will be thinking about retiring,although the hunger for another flag as captain may keep him going for a another 2 years, although 2016 is out of the picture, from the Rookie List to Premiership Captain, he is an inspiration to all and im sure the youth of the club will be in his pockets over the next few years he has as a Pie.

Darren Jolly

Magpies will have to be on the lookout for a ruckman in the next couple of years with the 31 year old Jolly ending up. This will most definatly be the weakness of the Pies side in the coming years with the ploy of 2 ruckman at a time surely beyond the capabilities of Darren Jolly's athleticism.

Chris Tarrant

Tarrant a 32 year old whose career looked all but done after this once foward had done his dash. The change to the backline was crucial in his career and although he missed Collingwoods flag, without going to Freo his career would be over and he would be having any part of a elusive first flag.

Andrew Krakouer

Another story of inspiration. Down in the gutters only a couple of years ago he put in the work and wanted to get back to a once glittering AFL career. With his best years behind him 2016 is out of the picture, but im sure he would be happy that he's even playing in 2012.

PREDICTION FOR 2016

This side will have lots of strong players, although alot of weak spots. Can see individuals carrying them to respectable positions around the top 8, although 7 years as top dog will be a hard task for even them to handle.

Just outside finals

Changing of the Guard at the Pies