Some of Collingwood’s biggest names have suggested the players who you should (and shouldn’t) be thinking about slotting into your team. It’s no surprise that ball magnets Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury are popular choices and there's one clear standout who should be avoided at all costs.
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Five Collingwood players you should pick...and some you shouldn’t
Dane Swan
Should pick - “Scott Pendlebury, obviously. He’s a gun and always scores well. Travis Cloke, for the exact same reason. Alan Didak, he’s been killing it this year on the track and he’s finally injury free and he’s obviously going to be really cheap because of last year. Heath Shaw - I’m not sure what his price would be, but hopefully he plays every game this year and get an All-Australian award at the end of the year because he’s good enough for one and will probably play a bit more in the midfield this year. Maybe someone like Jarrod Witts. He’s a cheap option on the bench. He might be able to hold down a spot.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Darren Jolly. He gives away too many free kicks. He’s kidding. I’d say Fasolo but everyone else will say him. And Chris Tarrant, because you don’t get points for spoils and that’s all he does.”
Sharrod Wellingham
Should pick - “Jamie ‘Billy’ Elliott, one of the first years, who’s come in and impressed so far in the pre-season. Another first year in Peter Yagmoor. Then I’ll go Scott Pendlebury due to consistency, Alan Didak due to having a down year last year. I don’t think he can put in two down years in a row, so I think he’s due for a big one. I’ll go with ‘Swanny’, for consistency.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Fasolo - because I don’t think he’s very good. And Leon Davis, because he doesn’t play for us anymore.”
Heath Shaw
Should pick - “Scott Pendlebury, because he’s a gun. Swan, because he’s a gun. Didak, because he’s cheap. Witts, because he’s young, new and cheap. And me, because it’s me.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Dale Thomas, because he’s overrated and Nick Maxwell because he can’t kick.”
Alan Didak
Should pick - “Obvious ones are Pendles, Swanny, Heater, Trav Cloke and for a smokey I would go with Jarrod Witts.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Alex Fasolo because I don’t like him and myself, because there’d be too much pressure to perform and players would get stuck into me if I didn’t perform.”
Luke Rounds
Should pick - “Swanny, Bally, Pendles, Trav and Lachlan Keeffe.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Alex Fasolo because he doesn’t tackle and probably Lachlan Keeffe because he’s too tall.”
Jarrod Witts
Should pick - “’Pendles’ for consistency. Brent Macaffer, I think he’s in for a big year. Steele, he's also in for a big year. Swanny, obviously, because he just racks it up, and then Travis Cloke.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Probably Fasolo. Definitely wouldn’t pick myself. I’m no chance.”
Jarryd Blair
Should pick - “Jarrod Witts, because he’d be cheap and he’s a dark horse. I’d give Tommy Young a run, he’s been training pretty well. You’d have to go either ‘Pendles’ or ‘Swanny’, just so you’re guaranteed your points every week. Probably add ‘Daisy’ as well.”
Shouldn’t pick - “I wouldn’t go near Fas, just to cut his confidence down a little bit. Last year I think I was well and truly overpriced, so unless that’s been cut in half I wouldn’t.”
Nathan Brown
Should pick - “I guess Jackson Paine, I think he’ll play a few games. He’s been killing training in our little practice matches so he’ll get a lot of points up forward. Obviously I’d have Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury as givens - they rack up the possessions. Dale Thomas again is going to have a fantastic year. He’s fitter again this year. Then I’d have Ben Reid. He just racks the stats in the backline. Hopefully anytime I get a mark down there I’ll try and find him and get him some possessions.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Probably Jarryd Blair. He tackles people too high and gives away too many frees against. He kills me. Probably myself. You don’t get any points for spoiling or anything. Steer clear of me.”
Jackson Paine
Should pick - “I’d have to go with Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, ‘Daisy’ and maybe Keeffey who might get a few more games this year.”
Shouldn’t pick - “I’ll go Fasolo. And save my spot for someone else.”
Nick Maxwell
Should pick - “Obviously ‘Swanny’, ’Pendles’ and ‘Daisy’ are the most popular ones. If you’re trying to find a bit more value, I’d look at Jarrod Witts, who is coming through and with Leigh Brown retiring there could be a bit more opportunity for him. A bit of a smoky is Jamie Elliott. A first round pick who is someone we think could play senior footy this year with some of the attributes he’s shown. Another is Paul Seedsman, who we think can have a big impact as well.”
Shouldn’t pick - “I wouldn’t choose Heath Shaw - actually, choose him early and then trade him, because then he’ll get injured or suspended. Don’t pick me either. I’m useless!”
Darren Jolly
Should pick - “’Pendles’ and 'Dane Swan, they always rate highly. Dale Thomas, he’s a definite. Heath Shaw, I’d put him there as a running half back. Probably Travis Cloke up forward. You get a few points for kicking goals and taking the contested marks!”
Shouldn’t pick - “Fasolo because he’s an idiot. He carries on too much.
Alex Fasolo
Should pick - “The five players I’d have are Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, ‘Daisy’ Thomas and Alan Didak.”
Shouldn’t pick - “Myself. I don’t get anywhere near it. And Heath Shaw, because he’s an ordinary bloke. Don’t pick me. Too much pressure in Dream Team for Fasolo.
