TAR Flying the Flag: Can they build a dynasty?

Story note: I'm picking this story up following the conclusion of the 2012 season from an earlier save (totally forgot about it), where I had just won the premiership.

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January, 2012

TRAINING is back in full swing for reigning premiers Collingwood having returned from their Christmas break. The Magpies came from a remarkable sixth to win the flag, but many pundits believe that back-to-back premierships is a pipedream, with everything needing to go right. Premiership full-back Matthew Scarlett retired last season along with Ryan Lonie and Jason Winderlich, the latter two of which were in and out of the side.

Over the off-season, Collingwood picked up former Bulldogs key defender Tom Williams to add some depth to its developing tall defenders, while also recruiting Richmond ruckman Carter Wilde to replace Cameron Cloke who headed to St Kilda as part of a trade to secure the number one selection. In the same trade, the Magpies lost developing key forward Jonathon Moles, who booted 26 goals last season, but is down in the pecking order and wanted a fresh start to learn under Nick Riewoldt. The Magpies went hard for pick one to take key forward Logan Arundel, before adding another ruck, Matthew Casanova, and key forward Cody Carmichael with the later picks. The Magpies went young in the Pre-Season Draft, picking up a couple of small forwards and midfielders to add depth to the club.

Coach Peter Williams, who claimed his first flag after four years in the caper, said he was excited about the prospect that 2013 brought. "We think we've got a strong team on paper," he said. "Our midfield is really impressive and has that balance between youth and experience. "We have depth in key positions up both ends, and plenty of running, skilful defenders. "We might be a little light on in small forwards, but those that are there, are quality and we have midfielders who run through the forward line as well."

Asked about the large amount of developing key forwards, Williams said the club needed to have plenty of depth in the area. "We found three talls worked really well last season," he said. "With Jonathon Moles gone, we have a void to fill and whether that's Logan (Arundel), or one of the other key forwards, it is always better to have competition. "We don't want to limit our expectations this season, but our first goal is clearly finals. "We're a bit younger than last season - our average age is 23 - but we are no less determined to take home the premiership."

Midfielders:
Gary Ablett
Luke Ball
Chris Egan
Caleb Henny
Matthew Hitchcock
Luke Hodge
Marc Murphy
Scott Pendlebury
Alexis Penticost
Andre Robbie
Dale Thomas
Cesar Thredgold
Tyler Woolley

Ruck:
Matthew Casanova
Josh Fraser
Richard Pusteria
Carter Wilde

Tall Forwards:
Logan Arundel
Cody Carmichael
Cameron Godenzi
Ronald Kennebury
Dalton Lyall
Luke Mayberry

Small Forwards:
Eddie Betts
Paul Chapman
Alan Didak
Dillon Schlemmer
Alex Webby

Tall Defenders:
Angelo Charleston
Ashton Hewat
Calvin Ribarits
Tom Williams
Cesar Woodbury

Small Defenders:
Grant Birchall
Xavier Clarke
Jason Gram
Aaron Landrigan
Brian Lisle
Heath Shaw
 
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POTENTIAL BEST 22:

B: 39. Heath Shaw - 7. Ashton Hewat - 27. Jason Gram
HB: 5. Luke Hodge - 8. Cesar Woodbury - 14. Grant Birchall
C: 10. Scott Pendlebury - 13. Dale Thomas - 3. Tyler Woolley
HF: 17. Paul Chapman - 1. Logan Arundel - 29. Gary Ablett
F: 4. Alan Didak - 20. Cameron Godenzi - 22. Dalton Lyall
R: 16. Richard Pusterla - 2. Marc Murphy - 12. Luke Ball
INT: 6. Eddie Betts - 25. Josh Fraser - 11. Xavier Clarke - 24. Aaron Landrigan
 
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Team List by number:

1. Logan Arundel (TF) 70[13] | 18yr | 0 | 0
2. Marc Murphy (OB) 80[0] | 24yr | 134 | 82
3. Tyler Woolley (OB) 79[10] | 21yr | 30 | 2
4. Alan Didak (SF) 77[0] | 29yr | 215 | 236
5. Luke Hodge (OB) 78[0] | 28yr | 198 | 105
6. Eddie Betts (SF) 74[0] | 25yr | 146 | 157
7. Ashton Hewat (TB) 76[2] | 22yr | 42 | 6
8. Cesar Woodbury (TB) 69[0] | 23yr | 42 | 8
10. Scott Pendlebury (OB) 80[0] | 24yr | 119 | 66
11. Xavier Clarke (SB) 70[0] | 28yr | 171 | 68
12. Luke Ball (OB) 76[0] | 28yr | 197 | 117
13. Dale Thomas (OB) 82[0] | 24yr | 110 | 50
14. Grant Birchall (SB) 77[0] | 24yr | 131 | 29
15. Chris Egan (OB) 77[0] | 25yr | 110 | 69
16. Richard Pusterla (R) 78[0] | 22yr | 36 | 7
17. Paul Chapman (SF) 77[0] | 30yr | 223 | 244
18. Tom Williams (TB) 73[0] | 25yrs | 82 | 17
19. Cody Carmichael (TF) 61[6] | 18yr | 0 | 0
20. Cameron Godenzi (TF) 76[6] | 20yr | 47 | 90
22. Dalton Lyall (TF) 75[0] | 21yr | 44 | 65
23. Alexi Penticost (OB) 66[0] | 22yr | 2 | 0
24. Aaron Landrigan (SB) 71[1] | 20yr | 0 | 0
25. Josh Fraser (R) 75[0] | 30yr | 252 | 179
27. Jason Gram (SB) 74[0] | 28yr | 94 | 18
28. Angelo Charleston (TB) 67[4] | 19yr | 3 | 0
29. Gary Ablett (OB) 74[0] | 28yr | 212 | 197
30. Ronald Kennebury (TF) 68[5] | 19yr | 0 | 0
31. Brian Lisle (SB) 67[2] | 20yr | 0 | 0
32. Calvin Ribarits (TB) 70[0] | 23yr | 0 | 0
33. Andre Robbie (OB) 67[5] | 19yr | 26 | 3
34. Cesar Thredgold (OB) 67[4] | 19 | 0 | 0
35. Caleb Henny (OB) 67[1] | 22yr | 2 | 3
36. Matthew Hitchcock (OB) 67[2] | 21yr | 2 | 0
39. Heath Shaw (SB) 77[0] | 26yr | 68 | 16
40. Luke Mayberry (TF) 72[0] | 23yr | 112 | 150
41. Alex Webby (SF) 64[6] | 20yr | 0 | 0
43. Carter Wilde (R) 72[0] | 23yr | 0 | 0
44. Dillon Schlemmer (SF) 63[7] | 18yr | 0 | 0
45. Matthew Casanova (R) 66[5] | 18yr | 0 | 0
 
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NAB Cup - Round 1
Collingwood vs. Fremantle

Godenzi boots six but Dockers have the answers


A last quarter fadeout by reigning premiers Collingwood has seen Fremantle run over the top of the Magpies to win by 26 points in the opening pre-season match. The Magpies led by five points at the final change, but a six goals to one final term resulted in the Dockers ending the match on a high and recording a good pre-season win. For the Magpies, Cameron Godenzi started his year in good form with six majors, while Eddie Betts booted two. Marc Murphy had 30 disposals in a strong midfield performance, but the game was further soured by a three-month injury to small forward Paul Chapman. Number one pick Logan Arundel made his debut, booting a goal from nine disposals and two marks. The Magpies won the contested possession count but lost the clearances and inside 50s, which will be an area for the coaching staff to address during the week.

COLLINGWOOD 7.2 | 12.2 | 13.5 | 14.7 (91)
FREMANTLE 3.2 | 8.4 | 12.6 | 18.9 (117)

Goals: Godenzi 6, Betts 2, Lyall, Ablett, Arundel, Birchall, Shaw, Pusteria.

Disposals: Murphy 30, Thomas 23, Ball 23, Ablett 20, Williams 20.

Injuries: Paul Chapman - Broken Leg (12)

Reports: Nil.

TEAM

B: 39. Heath Shaw - 7. Ashton Hewat - 18. Tom Williams
HB: 5. Luke Hodge - 40. Luke Mayberry - 14. Grant Birchall
C: 10. Scott Pendlebury - 13. Dale Thomas - 3. Tyler Woolley
HF: 4. Alan Didak - 1. Logan Arundel - 29. Gary Ablett
F: 6. Eddie Betts - 20. Cameron Godenzi - 22. Dalton Lyall
R: 16. Richard Pusteria - 2. Marc Murphy - 12. Luke Ball
INT: 15. Chris Egan - 25. Josh Fraser - 17. Paul Chapman - 27. Jason Gram
 
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NAB Cup - Practice Match
Collingwood vs. Geelong

Second half blitz sees Magpies home


A 13 goals to four second half has resulted in a big 36-point win to Collingwood to get the reigning premiers on the board in the 2017 pre-season competition. Trailing by 17 points at half-time, Collingwood booted nine goals to one in the second term to take a 28-point advantage into the final break in a 39-point turnaround. They then held on to win 21.14 (140) to 16.8 (104). Last year's first selection Logal Arundel booted 6.3 in a terrific performance, while Scott Pendlebury was everwhere, collecting 25 disposals, eight marks and three goals.

COLLINGWOOD 5.3 | 8.10 | 17.12 | 21.14 (140)
GEELONG 2.1 | 12.3 | 13.8 | 16.8 (104)

Goals: Arundel 6, Godenzi 3, Pendlebury 3, Betts 2, Woolley 2, Lyall, Didak, Murphy, Fraser, Landrigan.

Disposals: Pendlebury 25, Thomas 24, Murphy 22

Injuries: Nil.

Reports: Nil.

TEAM

B: 39. Heath Shaw - 7. Ashton Hewat - 18. Tom Williams
HB: 5. Luke Hodge - 40. Luke Mayberry - 14. Grant Birchall
C: 10. Scott Pendlebury - 13. Dale Thomas - 3. Tyler Woolley
HF: 4. Alan Didak - 1. Logan Arundel - 29. Gary Ablett
F: 6. Eddie Betts - 20. Cameron Godenzi - 22. Dalton Lyall
R: 16. Richard Pusteria - 2. Marc Murphy - 12. Luke Ball
INT: 15. Chris Egan - 25. Josh Fraser - 24. Aaron Landrigan - 34. Cesar Thredgold

IN: Aaron Landrigan, Cesar Thredgold
OUT: Paul Chapman (Injured), Jason Gram (Omitted)
 
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NAB Cup - Practice Match
Collingwood vs. Richmond

MAGPIES FALL SHORT AGAINST TIGERS


Collingwood was unable to replicate its efforts of the past week against Richmond in the second week of practice matches with Collingwood going down by 14 points. Cameron Godenzi continued his good form up forward with another three goals taking his tally to 12 this pre-season, but it was slim pickings in the best otherwise, with Dale Thomas, Grant Birchall and Luke Hodge good, while Dalton Lyall had 19 disposals and 10 marks for an inaccurate 1.3.

COLLINGWOOD 6.3 | 10.6 | 11.9 | 14.11 (95)
RICHMOND 5.0 | 9.5 | 13.11 | 16.13 (109)

Goals: Godenzi 3, Didak 2, Hodge 2, Murphy 2, Betts, Lyall, Ablett, Thomas, Birchall.

Disposals: Thomas 25, Birchall 21, Murphy 20

Injuries: Nil.

Reports: Nil.

TEAM

B: 39. Heath Shaw - 7. Ashton Hewat - 18. Tom Williams
HB: 5. Luke Hodge - 8. Cesar Woodbury - 14. Grant Birchall
C: 10. Scott Pendlebury - 13. Dale Thomas - 3. Tyler Woolley
HF: 4. Alan Didak - 1. Logan Arundel - 29. Gary Ablett
F: 6. Eddie Betts - 20. Cameron Godenzi - 22. Dalton Lyall
R: 16. Richard Pusteria - 2. Marc Murphy - 12. Luke Ball
INT: 35. Caleb Henny - 25. Josh Fraser - 24. Aaron Landrigan - 34. Cesar Thredgold

IN: Caleb Henny, Cesar Woodbury
OUT: Chris Egan (Omitted), Luke Mayberry
 
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NAB Cup - Practice Match
Collingwood vs. Carlton

COLLINGWOOD SQUARES PRE-SEASON LEDGER


Collingwood has broken even with its four pre-season matches, winning two after disposing of arch rivals Carlton in a dour affair. The Magpies had 26 scoring shots to 22, but only 20 goals were kicked in the match as the conditions proved tricky. The goals were shared around, but Gary Ablett was off target booting 0.4, as was Dale Thomas was 0.3 - the two responsible for the inaccuracy. Luke Mayberry's return to the forward line saw him take nine marks from 17 disposals and boot two goals to indicate he could provide a bigger body there until Logan Arundel develops.

COLLINGWOOD 4.2 | 5.7 | 7.11 | 11.15 (81)
CARLTON 2.2 | 5.7 | 6.11 | 9.13 (67)

Goals: Lyall 2, Didak 2, Mayberry 2, Pendlebury 2, Betts, Godenzi, Ball.

Disposals: Pendlebury 22, Ball 22, Murphy 22, Woolley 21, Thomas 21

Injuries: Nil.

Reports: Nil.

TEAM

B: 39. Heath Shaw - 7. Ashton Hewat - 18. Tom Williams
HB: 5. Luke Hodge - 8. Cesar Woodbury - 14. Grant Birchall
C: 10. Scott Pendlebury - 13. Dale Thomas - 3. Tyler Woolley
HF: 4. Alan Didak - 40. Luke Mayberry - 29. Gary Ablett
F: 6. Eddie Betts - 20. Cameron Godenzi - 22. Dalton Lyall
R: 16. Richard Pusteria - 2. Marc Murphy - 12. Luke Ball
INT: 35. Caleb Henny - 25. Josh Fraser - 11. Xavier Clarke - 36. Matthew Hitchcock

IN: Xavier Clarke, Matthew Hitchcock, Luke Mayberry
OUT: Aaron Landrigan, Cesar Thredgold, Logan Arundel (Omitted)
 
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2013 AFL Premiership Season
Collingwood vs. West Coast

COLLINGWOOD TO UNVEIL 2012 FLAG


Collingwood will unveil its 2012 Premiership flag during its opening round clash with West Coast this weekend. The team that was selected was effectively the same as its last pre-season match victory with the exception of experienced midfielder Chris Egan replacing Caleb Henny on the bench. The Magpies coach Peter Williams has elected to go for speed and skill in his team this season with plenty of midfield depth and scoring options. Last year' number one pick Logan Arundel will have to wait for his debut, named as emergency for the Magpies despite playing three NAB Cup matches. Scott Pendlebury will skipper the side with youngster Tyler Woolley his deputy.

TEAM

B: 39. Heath Shaw - 7. Ashton Hewat - 18. Tom Williams
HB: 5. Luke Hodge - 8. Cesar Woodbury - 14. Grant Birchall
C: 10. Scott Pendlebury (c) - 13. Dale Thomas - 3. Tyler Woolley (vc)
HF: 4. Alan Didak - 40. Luke Mayberry - 29. Gary Ablett
F: 6. Eddie Betts - 20. Cameron Godenzi - 22. Dalton Lyall
R: 16. Richard Pusterla - 2. Marc Murphy - 12. Luke Ball
INT: 15. Chris Egan - 25. Josh Fraser - 11. Xavier Clarke - 36. Matthew Hitchcock
EMG: 1. Logan Arundel - 35. Caleb Henny - 34. Cesar Thredgold

IN: Chris Egan
OUT: Caleb Henny

NEW: Tom Williams (Western Bulldogs), Richard Pusterla (Port Adelaide)
MILESTONES: Nil.

Unavailable: Paul Chapman (Broken Leg - 13 weeks)
 
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2013 AFL Premiership Season
Collingwood 8.14 (62) defeated West Coast 7.14 (56)

PARTY PIES JUST LUKE WARM IN DOUR WIN


Collingwood fans will not be ordering mass copies of the Magpies' opening win of the season on DVD after surviving a dour low-scoring affair against a gallant West Coast at Etihad Stadium last night. The Magpies scored five behinds in the final term - the only scores of the last quarter - to win by just six points in a game where goals were scarce.

West Coast started strongly booting four goals to three in the opening term to take a six-point lead heading into quarter time. led by Shannon Hurn (33 disposals) and Mark Nicoski (25), the Eagles were determined to spoil the Pies' premiership flag unfurling night. But after quarter time the Magpies got back on top, booting three goals to one in the second term with the Eagles ruing an inaccurate 1.7 to trail the reigning premiers by two points at the main break.

The second half became an ugly, titantic struggle as neither team could find free flowing space and it showed on the scoreboard with just two goals each in the last 60 minutes of play. Cameron Godenzi finished the day with 2.3, while Scott Pendlebury was the other multiple goal kicker for the Magpies as Ben McKinley (two goals) was the only key target for the Eagles. Luke Mayberry had a really impressive game at centre half forawrd, taking 10 marks from 17 disposals and booting a goal. Dale Thomas and Luke Ball were good through the midfield with a combined 54 disposals, while Cesar Woodbury was a rock in defence taking eight marks from 20 disposals.

The statistics showed both teams were fairly even with West Coast's advantage coming around the stoppages with a 25-16 win, while Collingwood had four more inside 50s and 13 more disposals. The Magpies will now have an eight-day break before facing the Kangaroos at Etihad.

COLLINGWOOD 3.4 | 6.7 | 8.9 | 8.14 (62)
WEST COAST 4.4 | 5.11 | 7.14 | 7.14 (56)

Goals: Godenzi 2, Pendlebury 2, Betts, Mayberry, Hewat, Egan.
Disposals: Thomas 27, Ball 27, Murphy 20
Injuries: Nil.
Reports: Nil.

Team Stats: Collingwood | West Coast
DISP: 310 | 297
MK: 80 | 89
HO: 19 | 21
CP: 81 | 73
CLR: 16 | 25
CM: 22 | 20
I50: 51 | 47

Best and Fairest Votes:

5 - Dale Thomas
4 - Luke Ball
3 - Luke Mayberry
2 - Cesar Woodbury
1 - Scott Pendlebury
 
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COLLINGWOOD 15.14 (104) defeated West Coast 11.8 (74)

Collingwood's reserves team gave the selectors plenty to think about with a 30-point win over West Coast. Dillon Schlemmer was the star, booting six goals for the Magpies as he buzzed around the half-forward line. Ronald Kennebury was important at full-forward booting four goals, while Jason Gram and Aaron Landrigan proved valuable off half-back and through the middle.

Player Ratings:
Dillon Schlemmer 9.5
Jason Gram 8.5
Ronald Kennebury 8.5
Matthew Casanova 8
Aaron Landrigan 7.5
Cesar Thredgold 7.5
Alex Webby 7
Caleb Henny 7
Angelo Charleston 6.5
Cody Carmichael 6.5
Logan Arundel 6.5
Brian Lisle 6.5
Calvin Ribaritis 6
Alexis Penticost 6
Andre Robbie 6
Carter Wilde 6

AFL Battlers:
Dalton Lyall 4.5
Ashton Hewat 4.5
Eddie Betts 4.5
Xavier Clarke 5
Matthew Hitchcock 5
Chris Egan 5.5
 
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