Pie 4 Life
Hall of Famer
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.
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
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