Collingwood coach Craig McRae has dismissed criticism of the Magpies' bold list strategy as being driven by "clicks", as the club sits 10th on the ladder following a scrappy 11.12 (78) to 6.16 (52) win against Port Adelaide.
Three years after winning a premiership, Collingwood are fighting for a spot in the newly-created wildcard round of finals. Despite having the oldest list in the AFL, the Magpies are aggressively targeting Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale, who will turn 34 next year.
Magpies Targeting Older Stars
Collingwood are also in the market for promising Gold Coast forward Jed Walter and in-demand Port Adelaide star Zak Butters. The Magpies have no intention of rebuilding, preferring to replace experience with star power over the draft.
McRae described analysis of Collingwood's list as "over-examined". "I don't recall any other list in the competition that has been examined as much as ours, and judged," he said. "But again, we get clicks, so it creates storytelling, opinions. It's an interesting narrative around where we're at. We're working towards being the best version of us."
Chemistry Over Age
McRae downplayed concerns about the team's age demographic. "I don't look at the age demographic of our team, but there's a lot of different players that haven't played together. Chemistry is important," he said.
After the departures of premiership players Mason Cox, Tom Mitchell, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Tom Mitchell last off-season, more change is expected ahead.
Pendlebury Absent Due to Illness
VFL/AFL games record holder Scott Pendlebury was a surprising absentee against the Power, missing despite the Magpies coming off a bye. McRae revealed Pendlebury had been sick, rather than rested to preserve his 38-year-old body. "He came good late, he was a chance to play. We were umming and aahing over whether to bring him in late," McRae said.
McCreery Struggles
Explosive premiership player Beau McCreery has been heavily linked to Tasmania, with the Devils reportedly considering a monster seven-year deal to join the expansion club for 2028. But McCreery is having a forgettable season, slumping to a new low against the Power with one possession in the first half and just one tackle for the match. McRae conceded the 25-year-old was "a bit off". "We're going to get to work with Beau, his best is better than what he's producing. We can't leave him out there on an island to work that out. He's too important to us to be not playing at his best," McRae said.
