The end is nigh

Would need a few goals (and probably a highlights package worthy run down tackle) in an early game to catch the eyes of the panel. Hope to see it, but pinning more hopes on Harvey Langford building a season worthy of taking out the award.

When this thread bumped I was scared claz had 3rd degree burns from training this weekend 🥵

Just looking for clues everywhere. Given I can’t see a pocket square on trac I can also infer he won’t be playing in the pocket or the square. Half forward role? footy season can’t come fast enough. Happy ‘25. Hope it’s a memorable one 👍🏼

Clarrys shoes lacking the same polish of trac and salo. Bad omen?

I’m more concerned about his actions that cost us kozzy for the start of the year. Went to ground and put his head hip high. If koz went only ball instead of going for contact he would have been taken below the knees. I can see why he’s collingwoods captain. When his career ends I’ll talk about him in a different way. But as it stands right now he’s a [censored] of the highest order.

Love his story. Hope he’s hungry for a big year

Whilst I agree with all you said, Nick Blakey is another recent example

Definitely have heard him state that he’s lucky to have access to both clubs as it doubles his access to facilities to train, etc. staying non committal has allowed him to spend two full weeks training with each club every year, on top of his academy training. Should be great for advancing his footy iq as well as his physique.

Given this information, and the club still not having named him in the round one side, and the fact nobody has refuted my comment midway through typing it, I think it’s fair to say there is a rift between player and club and he is understandably upset by the culture. Likely to request a trade if he hasn’t already behind closed doors. also, please take this as my application to be a footy journalist. but in all seriousness, thanks to all the track watchers, loving the photos and info given this preseason ❤️💙

So many of Caseys deficiencies from last season resolved. Not just a competitive side now but a true force. Can’t see them losing a game.

How about trac? With Riv shifting into the mids, maybe trac could take a bit more of the half forward role. Tholstrop Chandler and Sparrow should be doing a share too. Would like to see trac as a scoreboard impacting half forward. I liked Nibbler and he played his role well, using his skill set to impact. But it forced us to play a game that was inclusive of his style. We have the opportunity to shift our focus into heavier scoring as our younger forwards (JVR, turner, koz) develop into high impact game changers.

Don’t like flooding this thread as it’s great as just an information source, but does the 43 list size now mean we have a spot for ssp pick and have a few train on as tryouts?

Thanks for all the comprehensive reports (and photos), so much to be excited about. Optimism hitting new heights, especially with the changes to the coaching panel (dees at $26 for the flag is looking tasty, gamble responsibly)

Reading that we tried for lower picks first rather than 9, I suspect our target would have been achieved at 13 or 14 and we just so happen to have 9 now. I like Hotton. Given his injuries this year have him dropping but end of last year he was in the conversation for pick one. Great overhead and (from the highlights stuff) well weighted delivery inside 50. Will be a mid by 21 but can play a good role until clarry/trac start to decline also talk of still being open to offers, might be able to help freo save face and trade 9 to 11 to appease Richmond (9 and 18 can be seen as a negotiation win because it’s more than the starting point) and get something on the back end worth our while.

With Campbell and sharp as possible ins, how many more spots do we have? would have to think this closes the door on derksen, and squishes the chances down of yze and mentha both getting a gig.