Strategy Best 23 - 2026

[granniewolf]

I’ll bite not buy. Moore and McStay have a huge number of extra games. Harrison 16 games, McCreery 96 games. We need controlled development of youngsters and need our players back when fit. McCreery Does not need his foot lingering. We are agreeing to disagree by argument.

McStay hasn't exactly shone the last two years, plus he is coming off more than one injury, shoulder and now hammy, I think it's wise to make sure he is fully fit before choosing him.

 

[manicpie]

Quaynor Moore Bruz
Houston Frampton Jaicos
Steele Perryman HH
McCreery McStay Schultz
Elliott Buller Membrey

Cameron Nick degoey

Sidey, Pendles, long, Crisp, Howe

EM. Reef, Hayes, Anderson

 

[Fruit]

Buller is a lock for a spot but it seems that Prindable, Anderson and Harvey Harrison have made serious claims for early games. Who would be most susceptible to losing their spot?

 

[WanderingDude]

I am a McStay fan. I was a huge Wells fan too. Dan is starting to give me Daniel vibes. Both match winners when on but can’t do it from off field because of injuries. Just a waste. Just sad.

 

[Dtennent94]

I am a McStay fan. I was a huge Wells fan too. Dan is starting to give me Daniel vibes. Both match winners when on but can’t do it from off field because of injuries. Just a waste. Just sad.

Worst part is he was never injury prone before coming to us either

 

[timokane]

Look ill have a go at this for round zero at the MCG so here goes:

Only 4 weeks out now:

fb: iq frampton reef
cb: perryman howe pendles
c: josh daicos

7

Josh Daicos

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.6

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.6

5star

MG

230.5

4star

D

16.2

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.5

4star

MG

230.5

4star

D

13.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

4.2

5star

de goey houston
cf: shultz buller nick daicos
ff: elliott west hh
r: cameron crisp long
int: allan side tj saxona
sub: lipinski

try a few things for this one look outside the box.
round zip i think the Pies will mix things up first up.
in a way experiment
depends on the training these next 2-3 weeks
need a few kids to start ramping things up
backline got experience then play kids up forward is the way
play nick and de goey mid forward and rotate these 2

 

[Dtennent94]

With the list changes being sorted out and almost finished the pre-season, thought it’d be fun to look at a projected 2028 best 23.

FB: Maynard, Smit, Quaynor
HB: Parker, McInnes, Houston

R: Steene, Naicos, Long
M: Steele, Perryman, Jaicos

HF: McCreery, Buller, Harrison
FF: Saxena, West, Schultz

IC: Lipinski, Prindable, Allan, Cochran, Hayes

Unsure: Hill, Cameron, Moore, De Goey, McStay, Frampton, Condon
Depth: Swadling, McCarthy, Jiath, etc

Biggest question mark for the future definitely on key backs, but also our host of young key forward/rucks and needing a genuine 2nd gun mid to support Nick.

 

[pome pie]

I Feel the 2 players we need to get games into because of their pace is Harvey Harrison and Will Hayes.

Maynard Frampton Howe.

iQ. Moore. J.Daicos

Sidebottom. N.Daicos. Lipinski

Harrison. McStay. McCreery

Schultz. Buller. Elliott.


Foll: Cameron. Long. DeGoey

Inter: Pendelbury Perryman. Membrey. Houston. Hayes.

Unlucky : Crisp :-/
McInness and Cochran will get games and one is the likely replacement for Howe when he retires, otherwise backline is strong.
Next inline for midfield minutes are Will Parker and Ed Allen and they must take their opportunity when it comes, especially Allen with Prindable snapping at his heels. Roan Steel first inline but I feel Sam Swaddling will get an opportunity on the wing, HHF also.
West just waiting for his opportunity.
All in all I think we’re well positioned to have another crack this year!

 

[pome pie]

With the list changes being sorted out and almost finished the pre-season, thought it’d be fun to look at a projected 2028 best 23.

FB: Maynard, Smit, Quaynor
HB: Parker, McInnes, Houston

R: Steene, Naicos, Long
M: Steele, Perryman, Jaicos

HF: McCreery, Buller, Harrison
FF: Saxena, West, Schultz

IC: Lipinski, Prindable, Allan, Cochran, Hayes

Unsure: Hill, Cameron, Moore, De Goey, McStay, Frampton, Condon
Depth: Swadling, McCarthy, Jiath, etc

Biggest question mark for the future definitely on key backs, but also our host of young key forward/rucks and needing a genuine 2nd gun mid to support Nick.

could Cochran be the key back? lightly framed now but could continue to fill out and at 195cm seem to have the weapons.
As you say concentrate and getting that A grade midfielder to assist both Nick and Josh I think future is not as bad as the media make out

 

[Horaceg]

Quaynor Moore Bruz
Houston Frampton Jaicos
Steele Perryman HH
McCreery McStay Schultz
Elliott Buller Membrey

Cameron Nick degoey

Sidey, Pendles, long, Crisp, Howe

EM. Reef, Hayes, Anderson

I like that you have given HH a run, I think he’ll go alright

 

[Dtennent94]

could Cochran be the key back? lightly framed now but could continue to fill out and at 195cm seem to have the weapons.
As you say concentrate and getting that A grade midfielder to assist both Nick and Josh I think future is not as bad as the media make out

I think a gun midfielder will be next on our shopping list, because even if the guys we drafted develop, it’s hard to have too many good mids.

I think that we will probably bring in a cheaper mature option to replace Howe on the list next year, unless Cochran, McInnes, Jiath, Ryan step up in a big way… can we just draft Murphy back?

 

[Jelly Bean]

McStay hasn't exactly shone the last two years, plus he is coming off more than one injury, shoulder and now hammy, I think it's wise to make sure he is fully fit before choosing him.

Let's be honest, McStay hasn't shone for the last three years (i.e. since he joined) outside of a few glimpses here and there. Yes, some of those glimpses were crucial, and yes, he has been injured alot, but he hasn't delivered as per the label at this point and we really need him to. I'm beginning to wonder whether he is capable.

 

[Bianconeri]

Yes, for everyone. But most teams don't have a Pendlebury who MUST play reduced minutes. The sub rule helped us do that whilst keeping it 22 v 22. Now at times we'll be playing 22 v 23, especially in final quarters.

Seems like most teams won’t get a substantive advantage out of the extra on the bench then.

 

[Dtennent94]

Let's be honest, McStay hasn't shone for the last three years (i.e. since he joined) outside of a few glimpses here and there. Yes, some of those glimpses were crucial, and yes, he has been injured alot, but he hasn't delivered as per the label at this point and we really need him to. I'm beginning to wonder whether he is capable.

At least he’s pretty cheap and not really hurting our salary cap too much whether he delivers or not.

Hopefully West and Buller step up this year (maybe we can also draft Condon) and then it really won’t matter if McStay wants to play good footy or not.

 

[WanderingDude]

At least he’s pretty cheap and not really hurting our salary cap too much whether he delivers or not.

Hopefully West and Buller step up this year (maybe we can also draft Condon) and then it really won’t matter if McStay wants to play good footy or not.

I have always thought of McStay as a full hearted footballer and a club player. The body has not been there. If injuries were different he would have done more than help the pies to a GF in 2023. He is a Collingwood player. Even down with injury he is a mentor to our young players. He can still make an impact during his remaining contract period. He has my respect. His body may not enable him to contribute to the level he or the club would wish. No further extension would not be from lack of effort.

 

[Dtennent94]

I have always thought of McStay as a full hearted footballer and a club player. The body has not been there. If injuries were different he would have done more than help the pies to a GF in 2023. He is a Collingwood player. Even down with injury he is a mentor to our young players. He can still make an impact during his remaining contract period. He has my respect. His body may not enable him to contribute to the level he or the club would wish. No further extension would not be from lack of effort.

I agree with you. I just mean that I’m glad that we don’t have a $1M dollar player like Max King in this situation. I wish we’d have gotten to see more of McStay in his time here and think he would’ve done quite respectably.

 

[WanderingDude]

I agree with you. I just mean that I’m glad that we don’t have a $1M dollar player like Max King in this situation. I wish we’d have gotten to see more of McStay in his time here and think he would’ve done quite respectably.

As supporters we want the best for the club at little cost. There have been so many players wanted, including very expensive ones and most have flopped elsewhere. I fear the outcomes for some of our current crop may not be what we hoped.

McStay - injury
Houston - application
Bobby - Doh, but still a win

I so much want Houston to deliver.

 

[timokane]

Round zero outs:

Moore
McCreery
McStay

rest ok.

Captain Crisp for the game.

Moore and McCreery come back round 1 and McStay round 2

 

[Jen2310]

Round zero outs:

Moore
McCreery
McStay

rest ok.

Captain Crisp for the game.

Moore and McCreery come back round 1 and McStay round 2

1. Beau will be fine. He could be touch and go, but I wouldn't be surprised if he plays. He's in full training now
2, Crisp not even in the leadership group. It'll be nick/maynard

 

[MoreMoore]

2027?
B. IQ. Frampton. Maynard
HB. Perryman. Moore. Houston
C. Jaicos Butters. Hill
HF. Mcreery. McStay. HH
F. Shultz. King. West

R. Steene. Naicos Degoey

Int. Crisp Steele Anderson Cameron Howes

Solid side
Cliff Avoided
Butters and King make it happen Leppa