The dust has settled and the time has come to reflect on Thursday night’s intra-club clash at the Holden Centre.

Many impressed in what was essentially the most competitive hit-out most Magpies have taken part in so far this year. However, while the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams did what we expect, a number of new faces also stood out.

Collingwood’s 2018 draft class was on display for the football world to see at the Holden Centre.

And early glimpses appeared positive, according to assistant coach Brenton Sanderson.

“It was great to see the young kids play well,” he told media after the game.

“The (recruiting) boys have done a really good job this year at the draft and it looks like we’ll see a fair bit of these young players this year.”

See below Sanderson’s comments on these individuals, in addition to references to a number of more experienced Magpies.

New No.35 Jaidyn Stephenson

Sanderson: “He did some really sharp things… He’s going to be in the discussion for sure. He has to be. He’s got so much talent. He’s an incredible young player.

“The Pies fans watching tonight would have been licking their lips. We’ve got a real player there.”



Stephenson squeezes out a handball, despite pressure from VFL Magpie Matt Smith. Photo: Luke Henry


Cricketer turned footballer Nathan Murphy

Sanderson: “Murphy looks like a really promising player across half-back… It’s hard to know what his best position is going to be. He can play as a utility. He can play forward and back, but also go through the midfield.

“Both Stephenson and Murphy still have some develop to do physically. But from a talent point of view, those guys are going to be A-graders for us long-term.”



Murphy shows composure during his first intra-club clash. Image: AFL Photos.


X-factor forward Kayle Kirby

Sanderson: “He’s still not probably in the physical condition he needs to be to be a consistent AFL player. But we just saw his skills tonight.

“He kicked three goals in five minutes. He’s got some special talent. He’s very raw, but he’s going to be a player we’re going to really enjoy watching develop.”



Kirby was the man to watch during a dangerous third quarter. Image: AFL Photos.


Exiled midfielder Jordan De Goey

Sanderson: “He was really good tonight. It’s been an emotional week and there’s so much for him to prove to his teammates and his coaches and supporters.

“He’s got a long way to go, but to his credit he came out with the right attitude tonight. He played a good balance of attack and defence and really hit the ground running.”



De Goey breaks away from Jarryd Blair. Image: AFL Photos.


Our potential forward line in 2018

Sanderson: “We saw Ben Reid play nine games last year and was really solid forward. We like him as a target… he was one of our best forwards tonight. He marked everything and contested everything.

“I thought Tyson Goldsack was super in that first half playing forward.

“Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox are just so different. Brodie is great at ground level and really hunts the footy. Coxy, no one can reach him when he’s at full stretch. They both play well forward. So maybe that’s an advantage we’re going to have.

“We’ve got some quality talls. Reid, Cox and Grundy are going to provide some headaches up there.”



Cox fires out a handball in the first quarter of play. Image: AFL Photos.