Every team has weaknesses, just as every team has points of strength. Brisbane and to a lesser extent Port Adelaide were probably the last two premiers who didn’t have a clear identifiable weakness. Geelong were dominant and deserving premiers in 2007 despite lacking in the key forward stakes, whilst Hawthorn reigned supreme in 2008 with a tentative assortment of defenders.
Both teams managed to compensate for their shortcomings by being far superior in other areas or simply through masterful strategies. Say what you like about Hawthorn’s back six, but the structure in place was pure genius and when you have a general in Hodge you’re well placed to execute match-day tactics.
Bearing this in mind, it has been accepted that Collingwood has lacked genuine top end class since the retirements of Buckley and Clement; whilst our difficulty in assembling a batch of genuine midfielders has been ever present.
Whilst we have taken measures to address this weakness, at this stage we must enter 2009 being realistic; with the assumption that it will take a while longer to iron out those kinks.
So, whilst we are handicapped with a transitional period in the middle of the ground, what exactly is our strongest point heading into 2009? I can answer this question with one word: versatility.
Looking through our list, it’s hard to place several players in just one position; with many shaping as players who can hold down multiple positions — not just adequately either, but convincingly.
Starting up forward, we have the likes of John Anthony who came onto the scene in 2008 in the unlikely guise of a forward. When drafted, Anthony was expected to be the natural successor to Clement and as such played most of his VFL football in the back-line; performing well in the process.
With our defence needing some reworking, Anthony may shape as a possible member of the back six. Training reports point to Anthony remaining up forward to hone his goal kicking trade a little more, but he definitely has the credentials to play as a defender if required.
The likes of Didak, Davis and Thomas are all established small/medium forwards, with Didak being the obvious standout. Each of these players has something to add to the midfield when required and with Davis shining in the middle towards the end of 2008, I would expect him to start there more often than not and rest up forward.
Thomas has been working on improving his stamina and if he can find that extra running capacity, expect to see him clocking up more midfield minutes. Didak is best left on a forward flank, but has the class to wreak havoc through the middle on the odd occasion. Whether these three find themselves in the middle of the ground or closer to goal, they have the raw talent to loom as match winners in either capacity.
Dane Swan has proven to be deadly forward of the ball, knowing where and when to bob-up. Scott Pendlebury – the modern midfielder – stands at 190cm; tall enough to cause headaches for any player trying to match him in the air. He also has enough poise and class to out-position opponents and can cause problems if rested forward.
John McCarthy also sports a combination of height and athleticism that prevents him from being a one-position player. Whilst the best case scenario would be for J-Mac to become an inside/outside midfielder, he has already shown a knack for providing a good option and using the ball well off of a forward flank.
Then, there are our ever-growing crop of tweeners. Players who fall into the grey area, whereby their size prevents them from being genuine key position players, but allows them to be more than useful at ground level and in the air. The likes of Harry O’Brien (188cm), Nick Maxwell (193cm), Shannon Cox (188cm), Alan Toovey (189cm) and Tyson Goldsack (193cm) have all tasted senior football and performed a variety of roles with varying degrees of success.
O’Brien has proven he can match players outside of his weight class, whilst also getting the job done on smaller forwards. Nick Maxwell has played just about everywhere and always provides a contest with his endeavour. Tyson Goldsack had a difficult second season, but at his best is a tenacious defender who can make things happen anywhere on the ground through unwavering determination.
Alan Toovey has been much maligned, but has obviously won a lot of credit from Malthouse with his work ethic and honest attributes. Shannon Cox could very well be the pick of the bunch; whilst he has the ability to play as a third tall down back, he is best suited when given some leeway to be creative. His best senior football came from a wing towards the end of 2008, where he was influential in the third quarter against Adelaide and was comfortably one of our best players against Sydney and Fremantle.
The centerpieces for our versatility may well come in the shape of Ben Reid, Jarrad Blight and Scott Reed.
Ben Reid was drafted as a bottom-aged player in 2006 at #8, in what was a very strong draft. Whilst we have seen some glimpses, he has thus far been unable to get on the park for a long enough period to find his feet at senior level. Standing at 195cm and possessing uncanny mobility, Reid has the scope to be played down back, up forward or even as a roaming tall on a wing. If Reid can break into the senior side and realise his potential, he could very well be one of the most versatile players to ever grace a football field.
Jarrad Blight is a speculative asset at the moment, being that he was drafted only a couple of months ago. I can’t lie though, I’m genuinely excited about this kid. Junior football follower Colin Wisbey – who provides detailed profiles on draft prospects – ranked Blight at #11 overall. Pretty impressive considering we managed to nab him at #45.
This of course is mere speculation and Wisbey has copped his fair share of flack about previous misses, but standing at 189cm with some pace to burn and good junior form from a half-back flank and as a midfielder — there is a lot to like about Blight regardless of how accurate Wisbey’s projections might prove.
Scott Reed is our first acquisition from our NSW Scholarship program and another who shapes as a versatile prospect. Standing at 192cm, Reed played throughout the middle and from half-back in the NSW/ACT Rams U18 squad.
Reed has good leg speed for a player of his height as well as a strong endurance base; something that Collingwood places a strong emphasis on. Reed could prove to be a valuable utility player from a flank, who may also step into a midfield role if his development goes to plan.
Our recruiting department has assembled an interesting array of players with the scope to perform multiple roles at the flick of a switch. If all goes to plan and we get the most out of our current crop, Malthouse may find himself with the biggest set of options come any given game day.
Games can be won simply by finding the right match-ups; or more importantly finding that one glaring mismatch. Looking at our list, we definitely have a crop of players who have the capacity to make opposition coaches pull their hair out. Further improvement from just a couple of these players could make all the difference in 2009 and beyond.
It has been a patient rebuild since 2003, but as the list currently stands and with competitive performances and finals experience to boot; Malthouse will be looking at 2009 and onwards expecting to have some serious weapons of an unpredictable nature at his disposal.
