As you grab your morning coffee, cast an eye over collingwoodfc.com.au to see where the Pies are popping up in the papers. ‘Pies in Print’ will keep the Magpie Army informed on what is being written about what the club in the major media outlets around the country.
Pies draftee shows his x-factor
Fox Sports – 20 January 2018
via Herald Sun
Collingwood players have embraced the AFLX experiment ahead of the February rollout and captain Scott Pendlebury has given it the thumbs up.
The Magpies played a few games of the AFL’s version of Twenty20 cricket during a camp on the Gold Coast.
Pendlebury said fast and tall players seemed most suited to the game but it could be played so many ways that team tactics could determine who is best rather than the playing stocks.
“There’s some really quick guys like Jaidyn Stephenson and it suits him really well and Coxy (Mason Cox), Brodie (Grundy) guys like that have shown glimpses of taking good grabs.
“I’m not too sure who it is going to suit and every side is going to have different tactics. I’m looking forward to either watching or playing.”
CLICK HERE to read more on foxsports.com.au
Jaidyn Stephenson fires away a handball during Collingwood's pre-season training camp on the Gold Coast. Photo: Collingwood Media.
The AFL players yet to debut – and their chances of playing in 2018
Fox Sports – 19 January 2018
Michael Thompson
Most Likely: Sam Murray is a good chance to get a start in the Magpies’ best 22 after spending two years on Sydney’s rookie list, with the 20-year-old traded back to Melbourne back in October’s trade period.
Pick 6 Jaidyn Stephenson will be part of the young crop of midfielders at the Pies, with his line-breaking speed and long accurate kicks at goal sure to excite. He’s been described as an ‘X-factor’ and ‘match-winner’.
Nathan Murphy, who has a natural leap for the ball and a strong overhead clean mark, was taken by the Pies at Pick 39. Murphy turned his back on playing cricket to become a footballer.
Wait and See: Father-son recruit Tyler Brown has joined his brother Callum in the black and white. If he can improve his confidence around contests, he could become an impactful player at senior level.
CLICK HERE to read more on foxsports.com.au
Former Sydney Swan Sam Murray runs laps at the Southport Football Club. Photo: Collingwood Media.
Jack Crisp embracing change, ready for new challenge
Herald Sun – 20 January 2018
Danny Russell
It's 5.30pm on a Friday afternoon and Jack Crisp is sitting beside his phone waiting to fly home from the Gold Coast.
His Collingwood teammates are catching a flight the following day but Crisp has booked an earlier ticket because he misses his little girl.
She is just 10 weeks old, he is just 24.
CLICK HERE to read more on heraldsun.com.au
Travis Varcoe, the forward-thinking Magpie
The Age – 19 January 2018
Peter Ryan
Collingwood speedster Travis Varcoe feels as though he's turning back the clock as he spends pre-season preparing to once again play as a high-pressure forward in 2018.
The 29-year-old played that role to perfection during his time at Geelong when he had critical roles in two premierships as a dynamic forward in 2009 and 2011.
Working alongside Collingwood forwards coach Brenton Sanderson, who was an assistant at the Cats from 2007-11, Varcoe has been able to adapt quickly to what will be required.
"I feel like I'm back at the start of my career where that was my bread and butter," Varcoe said.
CLICK HERE to read more on theage.com.au
Who's ready? An update on our youngsters
Pies in Print features updates on some of Collingwood's young players, while also featuring stories on more experiences Magpies Travis Varcoe and Jack Crisp.
