Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
The extraordinary stats of Collingwood’s returning cavalcade
Andrew Slevison • May 28th, 2025 5:30 pm
Collingwood boasts an embarrassment of riches right now.
The Magpies are sitting pretty on top of the ladder with a commanding 9-2 record and the league’s strongest percentage of 132.9.
They’ve put themselves in a very strong position as the season enters the bye rounds and they’ve done it when frequently without key players
Last weekend against North Melbourne, the Pies eventually won by 45 points in the absence of Steele Sidebottom and despite Scott Pendlebury (illness) and Bobby Hill (personal reasons) being extremely late withdrawals.
In recent weeks, they’ve won matches without Darcy Moore, Lachie Schultz, Brayden Maynard, Jordan De Goey, Brody Mihocek, Pendlebury (again) and Moore (again).
On the back of that, the Pies will have five players return to the team for Friday night’s blockbuster clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
Premiership captain Moore, Norm Smith Medallist Hill, star veterans Sidebottom and Pendlebury and prized recruit Schultz will be back for the Hawks clash, compelling Garry Lyon to crunch the numbers.
Lyon compiled the remarkable stats surrounding the returning quintet, showcasing the strength of the cavalcade of players that will boost Craig McRae’s 22.
“So they play Friday night and they’re welcoming back five players,” said Lyon on SEN Breakfast.
“Amongst them are - Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Darcy Moore, Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz.
“1,148 games, six premierships, two Norm Smiths, nine All-Australians, seven Copeland Trophies, five ANZAC Day medals, and one goal kicking award.
“I don't know whether you can get a greater cavalcade of accolades coming into your side in one hit.”
Tim Watson added: “That is extraordinary what they're capable of bringing back.”
The Maggies will look to make it four victories on the trot when they clash with the Hawks, who have lost two in a row, at the MCG on Friday night.
