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Refreshed and slick: Why Collingwood could be central to everything in 2025
Gerard Whateley • February 27th, 2025 4:30 pm
Refreshed and slick were the two words that came to mind when watching Collingwood last night.
If you’re holding the view the Magpies will come storming back after missing the finals in their premiership defence there was oodles of evidence on display.
And these are only notes… not definitive statements.
The style under Craig McRae is well declared – the waves of attack off half-back, the ball in the hands of the best users driving it into dangerous and mobile forwards.
They still give you a look - just like they did through the premiership run - but you’ve got to be good enough to take it.
And Richmond weren’t that last night.
There were times last year when the Magpies couldn’t field any tall forwards through injury… now they are retooled with Mihocek, McStay and Membrey. Mmm.
It’s such an interesting combination – none is the most dangerous spearhead alone but in concert they are both targets and threats.
It’s funny how a narrative is imposed on a team.
Prevailing wisdom has decided Collingwood is old.
They don’t look old to me.
The two key pieces they’ve added in Dan Houston and Harry Perryman are in their mid 20s with their best footy to come.
The team’s fortunes aren’t hinged to Sidebottom, Howe and Pendlebury.
Not when Josh Daicos, Quaynor and Bobby Hill are running amuck.
They have the best young player bar none – he might simply be the best player, never mind young - in Nick Daicos who didn’t look for a moment like he’s had a curtailed pre-season.
It’s February – Collingwood look refreshed and slick.
I suspect they’re central to everything.
For Richmond there were signs to cling to early but the game was far too long for the inexperienced core.
We all know this is going to be a hard year for the Tigers. One imagines we’ll have to get used to what happened last night.
