Collingwood has welcomed three new players on night two of the 2024 AFL Draft.
Key defender Joel Cochran was selected at Pick 47, key forward Charlie West at Pick 50 and winger William Hayes at pick 56.
As well as three new players, the Magpies have strengthened their 2025 Draft hand with the addition of a future Fourth Round Pick from the Western Bulldogs in exchange for the 2024 Pick 62.
Head of List Management Justin Leppitsch was pleased with the Club’s work at the Draft table.
“We did well, we got what we wanted in a key forward and key defender that we desperately want to develop through our football club,” said Leppitsch.
“With our last pick we were able to get an exciting young small forward and wing so I think we hit every marker that we wanted to so it’s exciting times for our Club.”
195cm Cochran made himself known at the National Draft Combine by winning the 2km time trial with a time of 6:05, the fastest time by eight seconds.
The versatile defender was a member of the Sydney Swans Academy playing at under 16’s level in 2022 and 2023 before making his debut in the under 18’s side in the same year. The 18-year-old also played one VFL game for the Sydney Swans, coincidentally against Collingwood.
Leppitsch highlighted how the Club were pleased that Sydney didn’t ‘bid’ on their academy player.
“We had wind that they may not match that particular bid which is awesome for us,” said Leppistch.
“We love his run, his athleticism and intercept marking ability so he’ll be great for us.”
The mobile tall is more than capable of playing as an intercepting defender, like he did for the Allies in 2024, but also as a rebounding backman with repeat efforts and overlapping runs. As well as representing the Allies, Cochran was a part of the AFL Academy in 2024.
West is a 194cm key forward hailing from Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, with contested marking, speed and aggression some of his standout traits.
At the 2024 National Championships, West played two games for South Australia and has also played two senior games in the SANFL for Woodville-West Torrens.
The 18-year-old clocked a time of 2.957 in the 20m sprint test at the National Draft Combine, a time that saw him place sixth overall. While in the vertical jump, West placed ninth with 70cm.
Leppitsch was pleased that West was still available at Pick 50.
“A lot of the key forwards were in that (pick) 30’s bracket before us and we were just hoping that he’d hang on until our pick,” said Leppitsch.
“We were considering taking him with our first pick, but we felt the Clubs behind us at that first pick weren’t going to take another key forward, so we delayed him another pick down the rung and thankfully he was there, so great news.”
2006 born William Hayes is a 180cm winger that played his junior football at Subiaco JFC before making a name for himself in the WAFL Colts with Claremont.
As a bottom age player, Hayes played 10 games for Claremont in 2023, impressing with his intelligent running patterns, endurance, and smart ball use.
Leppistch encouraged Collingwood fans to take a look for themselves at what Hayes has to offer.
“Do yourself a favour and watch his one minute highlights,” said Leppistch.
“It’s really impressive. Ground level player, one thing with our team we love is really good, fast and evasive ground level players, whether he plays wing or half forward.
“Him and Bobby Hill, what an exciting combination that will be.”
The winger is more than capable of receiving the ball and rebounding from defence or penetrating inside 50 to find forward targets.
At the National Draft Combine, Hayes placed third in the agility test with a time of 7.850, while also running the 2km time trial in a time of 6:16, fourth fastest.
Tomorrow afternoon will see the 2024 Rookie Draft conducted, with the Magpies to select de-listed pair Oleg Markov and Ash Johnson.
“It’s just going to be a matter of putting Ash and Oleg back on the list for us and then our job’s done,” said Leppistsch.
“It’s really a matter of turning up and calling out their names and then our list is complete for next season.”
