The biggest concern that has plagued the Collingwood Football Club over the past few seasons has been without question our midfield. Retirements have left our midfield stocks riddled and poor drafting earlier in the decade put us behind the eight ball in regards to certified replacements.
With the draft done and dusted, we’ve all had our demands sated with the club making midfielders a priority. Despite the excitement fueled urge of looking for answers within this year’s current crop of prospects, there are still a few names that are ahead of the likes of Sidebottom and Beams and 2009 shapes as a year that will determine their futures along with the make-up of our midfield for the next decade.
Whilst Malthouse has shown that he is prepared to show faith in youth and has made a habit of debuting players at critical times as a means of testing their mettle, it is often forgotten just how delicate our development process actually is.
Rarely are players thrust into the position that we envision them filling in the future. Potential midfielders are usually played in the back-line, or off of a flank as a means of giving them a feel for the pace of senior level football as well as honing areas of their game as necessary.
It is apparent that we have learned a lesson from Josh Fraser’s debut season and now focus on nurturing our players into senior level football whilst striving to keep the team competitive on the field. As a result, we are afforded the opportunity to assess our youth at senior level without it being to the detriment of the side at large.
With that said, it is easy to become impatient when certain weaknesses appear to be nearing crisis point; as has happened with our midfield.
As things stand, our midfield can be broken down in tiers, with established midfielders residing in the first tier, players with the ability to run through the middle and maybe cement a permanent spot in the second, and our younger and less proven options residing in the third tier onwards.
1st Tier
- Dane Swan (24)
- Shane O’Bree (29)
- Scott Pendlebury (20)
Dane Swan has established himself not only as a quality on-baller, but also as one of our most consistent performers. Shane O’Bree, whilst nearing his twilight years and limited in some facets of the game, remains our most credentialed clearance player. Scott Pendlebury is a blessing, simply for the fact that he has class in abundance and has established himself as a genuine midfielder at the tender age of 20.
2nd Tier
- Leon Davis (27)
- Alan Didak (25)
- Dale Thomas (21)
- Marty Clarke (21)
The second tier is comprised of players who are peripheral to our midfield; whereby they are likely to establish themselves in other positions but have the scope to provide support within the middle of the ground. There is also the possibility that one or two of them could find their way into the first tier.
Leon Davis is the most likely to step into a primary midfield role next year based on his form late in 2008. Alan Didak should remain an elite half-forward who can work his way through the middle if required. If Dale Thomas can improve his endurance he may well find his way into the first tier; although if Daisy doesn’t prove to be a genuine midfield option he is such a damaging player that he will be dangerous anywhere on the ground. Marty Clarke has established himself as a first choice half-back flanker and has the potential to develop even further.
3rd Tier
- Ryan Cook (20)
- Danny Stanley (20)
- Sharrod Wellingham (20)
- John McCarthy (19)
Next season shapes as an important one for Ryan Cook and Danny Stanley. Drafted in 2005, Cook and Stanley are now entering their fourth year and the time has come for them to be provided with opportunity. Despite being on the list for three years, Stanley and Cook are both only 20 years of age. With the departure of Burns, an opening has been made for Stanley to ply his trade as a tough as nails in-and-under player at senior level.
Wellingham and McCarthy have a little more time on their hands, with Wellingham only being promoted from the rookie list this year and McCarthy being drafted in 2007. McCarthy has been the most impressive in my books out of our third tier options; showing an ability to win the contested football whilst also having the tools to damage the opposition on the outside. Wellingham shapes as a similar prospect, possessing polished skills and a willingness in contested situations.
With our first tier established and players from the second tier lending support; there is opportunity for one or two players from the third tier to rise up the ranks should they seize their opportunity with sustained form. To remain competitive and continue to factor in September, we require at least two of these players to take the next step.
4th Tier
- Steele Sidebottom (17)
- Dayne Beams (18)
- Luke Rounds (17)
- Jaxson Barham (20)
- Jarrad Blight (17)
- Scott Reed (18)
Our fourth tier consists of players who we should not be expecting anything from in 2009; aside from some good showings in the VFL. Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams are the two players who we are hoping become a big part of our midfield from 2011 onwards, but at the moment they can afford to develop gradually.
I wouldn’t be surprised if either or both of Beams and Sidebottom managed to rack up a few senior level games this year if their form demands selection. Sidebottom has the tools and smarts to be valuable from a flank despite needing physical development, whilst Beams has an impressive frame that is already suitable for AFL.
I’ve included Jaxson Barham within this tier as he may have the potential to become a midfielder, perhaps within the second tier. Barham is likely to earn senior selection within the back line, providing run-and-carry from a back pocket or flank. Jaxson has shown himself to be a capable tackler and amassed impressive stats within the VFL, but what is most appealing is his pace in both the burst and sustained categories. If Barham could emerge as a prospect within the second tier, then it will be an added bonus considering he was picked up as a late father/son selection in what was considered a weak draft.
Luke Rounds, Jarrad Blight and Scott Reed are all very early in their development. Out of the three, Rounds shapes as the more traditional midfielder. Rounds is a similar prospect to Barham, being that he is a speed machine who is likely to start down back and push up the ground as he develops. Blight and Reed – who both stand near or above 190cms in height – have the physical attributes to fill other roles but may also present themselves as midfield options.
Using this tiered structure, we can break down our midfield in terms of proven form, development and age. Whilst the questions regarding our midfield are still yet to be thoroughly answered, I must say that after looking at the above list and the ages of the players mentioned, I’m a little less worried heading forward — and all it took was a wedding cake analogy.
