Pre-Season Assessment: Part I

With the pre-season competition ending bitterly for the boys, it is now time to take a look at the form of the individuals that make up our 2009 playing list.  Whilst Geelong handed us a brutal defeat on Friday night, there was a lot to like about our early form.

What follows is a player-by-player assessment based on performances in the NAB Cup and reports from training and VFL practice matches.

1. Leon Davis

Leon was brilliant in the first three rounds of the NAB Cup, but along with the entire team he came unstuck in the grand final against Geelong.  Some have speculated about whether Leon has the mental fortitude for the big stage, but all the result against Geelong proved was that Leon should be considered complimentary to our midfield as opposed to pivotal.

Regardless, Leon showed enough during the pre-season competition to suggest that 2008 wasn’t one out of the box.  He has taken the next step as a player and will spend a lot of time in the middle this year.  We must remember however – as far as our midfield is concerned – that Leon’s style of football provides the polish — the engine oil must come from elsewhere.

2. Sean Rusling

Rusling’s recovery and preparation remains something of a mystery.  It was reported that Ruz had a run at full-back in a VFL practice match a couple of weeks back, the consensus being that he didn’t look the part down back.  Currently, we are none the wiser as to how Rusling’s fitness is and where his body is at.

What we do know, is that with the emergence of Jack Anthony and some good early signs from Macaffer; Rusling is set to have some competition for senior selection in 2009.  This can only be a good thing, as it would serve Rusling well to regain some form and consolidate his fitness base in the VFL before coming into selection consideration.

3. John McCarthy

Plenty of Pies fans – myself included – expected big things from J-Mac in 2009 after having a very promising debut season.  Unfortunately, we may have to lower the expectations a little as judging by the glimpses we’ve seen of McCarthy this pre-season, he is clearly underdone.

McCarthy’s preparation was hindered by a knee complaint, which resulted in some minor touch-up surgery.  McCarthy had limited game time against Richmond, where he showed the poise that won over so many fans last year.  Against Geelong, he tried hard but much like the side at large he had a night he would rather forget.

McCarthy is likely to start the season in the VFL, or at least he should in my opinion.  He has all the required attributes for senior selection, he just needs to get his body right and dust out the cobwebs.  I’m expecting McCarthy to get a look in by mid-season and reasonably confident that by the end of 2009, he should be considered a certain starter heading forward.

4. Alan Didak

Didak was welcomed back to senior football in style, with the Pies thumping a rookie-list comprised West Coast in the opening round.  Didak ran rampant, amassing possessions at will and continued to get good numbers throughout the NAB Cup.

One observation to come out of the pre-season is that Didak is a little rusty, particularly with his field kicking.  I consider this a good thing, as Didak has looked dangerous and had no problem finding the ball, so once he completely gets back his touch we should be treated to some elite football.

There is nothing better than having a genuine match winner with a point to prove on your list.  Whilst Didak should play some cameos in the middle throughout the year, I’d prefer to see him spend most of his time on the half-forward flank, where he is most dangerous.

5. Nick Maxwell

It was smooth sailing for the new Collingwood captain, up until Friday night of course.  The appointment of Maxwell as captain has been a talking point amongst Collingwood supporters and the league at large, but after a few pre-season hitouts have we seen enough to judge whether the decision was the correct one?

At this early stage, I would have to say yes, although I can understand some of the reasonable scepticism from some of our fans.  Maxwell provides a level of leadership and has garnered the required support to be a logical choice as captain, his on field form during the pre-season competition was as you would expect — determined and honest.

The problem that some fans foresee is that with the likes of Cox, Goldsack and Toovey all vying for positions in the side; and the hopeful emergence of Blight and Reed as future talents, Maxwell the footballer could be overtaken by players who possess either more upside, or simply more talent.  It’s a reasonable concern, but for 2009 it is moot in my opinion, as none of the aforementioned have proven to be a better alternative to Captain Nick on a consistent basis.

Given his captaincy, it is quite likely that Maxwell will be moved around a bit more this year, injecting him within the action with a view to inspiring his comrades.  Looking beyond 2009, it would be advisable for Maxwell to try and add a new string to his bow, to compliment the new feather in his cap.

6. Tyson Goldsack

A personal favourite of mine, Moneybags didn’t get a look in until the third round of the NAB Cup, benefiting from the decision to rest Maxwell and O’Brien against Essendon.  What resulted was a return to 2007 form for young Tyson, who was as dependable as ever whilst also providing some dash out of defence.

Goldsack brings a dynamic to the side not too dissimilar to Maxwell.  He excels at the one percenters and is a genuine team player.  Whilst he falls into a grey area physically, where he has the height but not the mass to hold down a key position role; he certainly possesses some very likeable athletic traits — he has something that I like to call “working class X-Factor.”

Unfortunately, Tyson’s second showing was against Geelong and it’s never easy being a defender when your midfield is almost non-existent.  Regardless, based on pre-season form I would currently have Cox and Toovey ahead of Goldsack, although I expect Tyson to figure in the senior team throughout the year.

7. Paul Medhurst

We didn’t get to see much of Medders this pre-season due to a slow recovery from residual injuries sustained in the 2008 season.  Perhaps the story from 2008, Medhurst catapulted from deceptive small forward to All-Australian; much to the delight of the Collingwood faithful.

We got our first look at Medhurst in 2009 against Geelong, where despite looking somewhat rusty, he was still able to give us glimpses at his evasive and dangerous exploits.  Given past heroics and his experience, Medhurst is a certain starter – barring injury – in 2009.  I’m not expecting him to burst out of the blocks, but hopefully he can build his fitness whilst contributing and peak from the middle of the year onwards.

8. Harry O’Brien

Speaking of the stories of 2008, Harry O’Brien was one of the most prominent improvers.  Harry O is simply a fantastic young man, who will never look back and regret not doing everything within his power to get the most out of what ever opportunity he is presented with.

In 2008, we witnessed O’Brien evolve from a hard working, somewhat awkward and occasionally frustrating defender to a bustling, creative and talented vital cog in our defensive machine.  O’Brien meets every challenge head on and learns as much from his victories as he does from his defeats.

This pre-season, much like in the case of Davis, we have been reassured that O’Brien is set to pick-up where he left off.  The absence of O’Brien against Geelong was telling; whilst it wouldn’t have changed the ultimate result, it is amazing just how much he shores up our back-line and how important he has become for our forward drive.  A certain starter in 2009 and beyond.

9. John “Jack” Anthony

For years, Collingwood supporters have been praying to the almighty to deliver us a forward who can kick straight.  Last year, our prayers were seemingly answered when we were stricken down by injury to Rocca and Reid; forcing Malthouse to swing young Jack up forward.  What resulted is history and it just goes to show that when God shuts a door, he opens a window.

It’s a little difficult to judge Anthony’s pre-season, as it is at the risk of being over-rated based on his performance against an undermanned Essendon defence, where he booted seven goals.  We all know that Jack will make the most of his opportunities, the queries have been over his ability to find more of those opportunities in a manner more befitting a genuine forward.

Against Essendon, he managed to do this and despite my earlier statements regarding the potential to read too much into one performance, seven goals is a very impressive return regardless of the opposition.  Jack looks to have improved his marking and the presentation of his leads also show an improved understanding of forward play; however there is still a way to go.

Whilst he should – and will – get a start in round one, he is not quite ready to be considered our next full forward.  Anthony will do his best work at this stage as a third tall, whilst it would be beneficial for him to rack up some game time playing against some of the leagues more established defenders.  Given the jury is still out on Rocca and Rusling in regards to their fitness, Anthony is likely to shoulder some large responsibility early in the season.  I look forward to seeing how he handles it.

10. Scott Pendlebury

The heir-apparent to our future captaincy, Pendlebury looks to have added size over the off-season and despite already establishing himself within the Collingwood midfield; he still has plenty of room for further improvement.

Pendlebury was his usual classy self throughout the pre-season, ranking within our top possession getters in all matches.  Whilst I would still like him to take the bull by the horns a bit more often, asserting his influence more brazenly, I’m very comfortable with where Scott is currently at.

Pendles has taken to his leadership role with enthusiasm and maturity, working extensively with a lot of our younger brigade throughout training.  Players of Pendlebury’s ilk are invaluable, both on and off the field and the new faces at the club will undoubtedly benefit from his tutelage.

Pendles looked to be travelling in second gear for the pre-season (admittedly, he rarely seems to break a sweat) and I look forward to him kicking it up a notch when the real stuff begins.  It goes without saying that Pendles is a certain starter, as he has become the cornerstone of our future midfield.  Personally, I couldn’t think of a better cornerstone to have than one which defies the laws of space and time.