Do Collingwood need to enter a rebuild phase?

[nineteen eighty]

Im sticking with the "just wait to the pointy end (not saying which year)" excuse for now, this time last year we were unbackable and wise heads were nodding over Brisbane's fall.

One specific issue I see is the Mihocek role. His part in Elliots fantastic year in 25 got him some recognition finally, but he flew under the radar with his off the ball stuff for years and years. "Handy" theyd say, like he was a sneaky half forward.

We only let him go because the body really is on the brink, but haven't found the roving battering ram/blocker to replace him.

The problem with our shallow entries this year is in part his absence. McStay has done the double role of chf and perpetual motion forward and has picked up scoring slack, but he cant do it all and its harder for Elliot and skunk and Shulz to get the isolations they feed off so well without the smirkng plough clearing channels.

Hoping Mcstay and Buller present as the main act and say West or one of the other youngsters can slot in to run furrows through enemy defences.

A repurposed defender might be handy, they read defences from inside well, so if we could spare Howe thats an option too, although the body isn't up to repeat ramming.

Problem is that McStay has never kicked more than 20('ish) goals a season in his career. He's not a KF. He is a good Leigh Brown type player but simply cannot hold down a KF role.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Talked their young kids up pres season now not so much.

The worst lot of under 25’s in the comp, by a fair margin.

 

[spky1234]

Collingwood were down 1.5 players on the field for over a half of footy and by the end easily accounted for GWS, who didnt lose any players. Thoughout the year many teams will be down 6-10 players due to injury, GWS were unlucky with the injuries they had, but its not unusual. GWS has a deep list, and with a bit more luck with injuries, they will challenge any team.
Collingwood so far don't look like world beaters, but they should be a finals team again this year. I'm sorry if this doesn't fit your narrative.
How about Oscar Steene? Was rated as the 4th best debutante for Collingwood ever.

Look what you guys did missing Just Daicos and a 40 year old Pendles

Many teams don't lose the players of Green, Taylor, Cadman, Buckley, Daniels, Kelly, Jones all at the same time. Bar Jones, these guys aren't just any players, they are their top players.

Odds have pies as the 10th best team going off to make top 10 odds. With GWS hampered by injuries, they'd probably be above you as well. Sorry if that doesn't fit your narrative.

 

[PorcelainBus]

They will likely win tonight and that will paste over the cracks once again

 

[Fadge]

They will likely win tonight and that will paste over the cracks once again

Regularly winning big games and regularly contending for premierships to do that...

 

[Mr Meow]

Regularly winning big games and regularly contending for premierships to do that...

Definitely time to beat a decent side. They've done that once since May 2025.

 

[Pleasedontfail11]

Look what you guys did missing Just Daicos and a 40 year old Pendles

Many teams don't lose the players of Green, Taylor, Cadman, Buckley, Daniels, Kelly, Jones all at the same time. Bar Jones, these guys aren't just any players, they are their top players.

Odds have pies as the 10th best team going off to make top 10 odds. With GWS hampered by injuries, they'd probably be above you as well. Sorry if that doesn't fit your narrative.

We wernt just missing Pendles and Daicos. I'm assuming you are talking about our most recent game.
You could be right. We could be the 10th best side. I have a feeling we are a little better then that but I cant always predict the future.

 

[Pleasedontfail11]

They will likely win tonight and that will paste over the cracks once again

We having been pasting over the cracks for years. But I think we might struggle tonight.

 

[Dtennent94]

Definitely time to beat a decent side. They've done that once since May 2025.

You’re just scared of Hill’s return.

 

[Mr Meow]

You’re just scared of Hill’s return.

Yes, my two biggest fears are death and professional footballers getting to kick a ball.

 

[Dtennent94]

Yes, my two biggest fears are death and professional footballers getting to kick a ball.

Those are one and the same for you and the rest of the competition once Bobby reaches full happiness

 

[Mr Meow]

Those are one and the same for you and the rest of the competition once Bobby reaches full happiness

I don't want to see any player struggle, so this is just a weird and tasteless thing to try to generate humour out of.

 

[Dtennent94]

I don't want to see any player struggle, so this is just a weird and tasteless thing to try to generate humour out of.

I’m just pointing out that our form slump since the middle of last year coincided with his absence, which is hopefully nearing an end. That’s an obvious reason for Pies fans to be optimistic.

 

[Mr Meow]

I’m just pointing out that our form slump since the middle of last year coincided with his absence, which is hopefully nearing an end. That’s an obvious reason for Pies fans to be optimistic.

Fair enough. I hope things go well for him. I agree he's an important player to survive without, a bit like Stengle for Geelong.

The thing for Collingwood though is they need more dyanmic and productive players in that age range. The cupboard is sort of empty besides Nicholas.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

 

[HeathySure]

Definitely time to beat a decent side. They've done that once since May 2025.

We beat Adelaide who finished top in a final over there

 

[Mynamesinuse]

Another week of selection where the 3 young players are automatically dropped.

 

[jakson68]

Another week of selection where the 3 young players are automatically dropped.

At 28yo, Sullivan isn't exactly young.
Also two of the players bought in are 22 and 23yo.

You have a strange fascination with all things Collingwood.
Surely you cannot still be haunted from 2010.

 

[Mynamesinuse]

At 28yo, Sullivan isn't exactly young.
Also two of the players bought in are 22 and 23yo.

You have a strange fascination with all things Collingwood.
Surely you cannot still be haunted from 2010.

Let’s say least experienced then

 

[Dtennent94]

Let’s say least experienced then

A debutant is coming in to the side. Not to mention the future games record holder and the best player in the comp.

What should the Pies have done?

 

[Fadge]

A debutant is coming in to the side. Not to mention the future games record holder and the best player in the comp.

What should the Pies have done?

How dare a team put the best team on the park that they possibly can?

 

[Mynamesinuse]

How dare a team put the best team on the park that they possibly can?

Amazing that every young bloke that gets picked gets dropped as soon as an old bloke comes back.
Frampton
Lipinski
McCreery
Membrey

Are hardly dominating

 

[SSSSSS]

They're list needs nuking before Tassie comes in.

Going to be a massive October/November for the Pies. Might dictate what their next decade is going to look like.

 

[Mr Meow]

Anderson showed promise.

A few old heads looked tired in the last quarter, similar to against the Crows. There's a lot of miles in the legs there.

 

[FreoRicci]

Where’s their youth?
Anderson and?
Have to be the worst 20-25 year old list in the league