NAB Cup Preview: Pool 2 | Thebigtip

After a busy summer, I return for the 2011 season with my weekly match previews.

My first article of the year previews the first round of the NAB Cup, focussing in on the Collingwood/Carlton/Richmond grouping.

For those unaware of how the new format is set up, each side is grouped with 2 other teams, and will play each opponent on the same night in reduced length matches. This means that 3 groups of fans will all be at the venue at the one time. Considering this particular grouping consists of 3 of the biggest clubs in Victoria, my advice would be to book your ticket early, even if you are a member. The winners of the groups will go through to the next round, whilst the losers will play NAB challenge practice matches. Here, games will go back to normal length.

As always, the NAB Cup will trial a host of new rules as well. For example, the scorers can refer to replays if available for difficult decisions. Also, a free kick will be paid against the last person to touch the ball out of bounds. The 9-point goal will still be around, however a player awarded a 50m penalty which takes them inside the 50m area can elect either to kick from outside 50 for nine points, or kick from inside 50 for six points. Finally, boundary umpires will be allowed to pay free kicks at stoppages and a free kick will be awarded against a player who drags the ball under an opponent.

The new format is sure to be viewer friendly and exciting. However, from an analytical point of view, I doubt we are going to get proper insights into how teams are travelling leading into the season proper. Shortened games mean we are not going to get a look at how coaches will be utilising the new substitute rule and it doesn’t give a clear insight into the fitness of players. It has an exhibition feel to it, meaning we are likely to see a lot of new players. Squad sizes are also much larger for the first round of the NAB Cup, and coaches will be able to change their starting line-ups for their 2nd match. I also don’t think coaches are going to reveal any secrets at this early stage of the year. I think we’ll only start getting a true insight in the 2nd round of the NAB Cup and throughout the NAB challenge series.

Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond form pool 2 and will play off on Saturday night from 7:15pm at Etihad stadium. Carlton and Richmond kick off proceedings, followed by Richmond and Collingwood with the Blues to face the Magpies in the final match. 

Given this unique format, I have decided not to get into the technicalities and tactics of the matches. Instead, I have decided to give a brief overview of the 3 clubs in this pool and how they have travelled over pre-season. I am in a good position as I have had the opportunity to see all 3 clubs in either intra-club games or training sessions.

Collingwood

My analysis starts with the reigning premiers who are enjoying another solid pre-season. The Magpies are perhaps a few weeks behind Carlton and Richmond given the fact they started training much later. Nevertheless, the Magpies have quite a healthy list with only Alan Didak and Nathan Brown unavailable at this stage. Both are recovering from shoulder surgery and should be right for the season proper.

It’s hard to see the Magpies taking the NAB Cup overly serious given their late start to training. Nevertheless, Collingwood has indicated that they are playing to win this weekend. However, there is plenty for Magpies fans to be excited about this weekend. Primarily, it is a chance for the Magpies to unveil their 2 prized recruits in Chris Tarrant and Andrew Krakouer. Both are remarkable football stories and have had terrific pre-seasons. Krakouer was best-on-field in Collingwood’s second intra-club match with 4 goals through the midfield, whilst Tarrant was very solid playing in defence on Dawes and Cloke.

Further, Nathan Buckley will be at the helm on Saturday night, which is a site Collingwood fans will become very accustomed to from 2012 onwards. Malthouse will take a back seat whilst the coach-in-waiting gets his opportunity to lead the team.

Collingwood has indicated that they will field a near full strength side. However, I think we’ll still see a few youngsters on Saturday night. The Magpies only blooded one debutant last year, so I am sure the coaching staff would like to find out a bit more about the depth of the list. In particular, new draftees such as Alex Fasolo and Jye Bolton have particularly impressed during scratch matches. I am also keeping my fingers crossed that we see young Josh Thomas get a shot in the midfield, as well as Lachlan Keefe who can play just about any key post on the ground.

On the training track, Harry O’Brien has sent a few heads turning and looks to have taken his game to an even higher level in 2011. He has won time-trials and blitzed the intra-club matches. With Tarrant in the side, Harry may have even more freedom this year to rebound off half-back. Dane Swan has had another very solid pre-season, as has Jarryd Blair who has looked a little quicker.

A real point of interest for me will be how the coaching panel elects to use Leon Davis. Leon is coming off a poor 2010 season which saw him go from an All Australian player to finishing outside the Collingwood top 22. I have no doubt Davis suffered nagging injuries throughout the year, however his role was also restricted to playing as a defensive forward. The addition of Krakouer and the availability of Dick makes Leon’s place very insecure. However, he has trained with the defensive group all pre-season and was very productive across half-back in the first intra-club match.

I think Malthouse could be eyeing off Davis as the potential substitute to add a bit of run and flare off half back in the 2nd half of a game. I expect to see Davis across half back during the NAB Cup. At his age, I doubt we are going to see Leon regain the consistency he displayed between 2008-2009, however I still feel he could be a real impact player, and hence a perfect substitute.

In 2010, Collingwood were terrific starters. Particularly in the finals, Collingwood was able to put sides away early. No doubt every opponent in the competition has looked at ways to slowing down the Magpies. However, with shortened matches, the starts become even more important as there is less time to peg back a lead.

It's hard to predict how Collingwood will fare in the NAB Cup. No doubt the incentive to win is not overly high, however they should still field a fairly competitive and fit side.