All I want for Christmas is…

Well, what DO you want to see from Collingwood in 2017?

Collingwood Media looks at five things supporters are hoping to see from their players next year.

1. Jamie Elliott back to his best
It feels like a long time since we’ve seen Jamie in action. At the time of writing, it’s been 475 days since Elliott last graced a football ground. The back injury that sidelined him for the duration of 2016 appears to be behind him, for he has been training strongly in the lead up to Christmas. We all know how good he can be when fit and firing. He kicked at least 30 goals in each of his past three full seasons, and many would argue it’s just the tip of the iceberg. We can’t wait to have him back out on the park.

2. No knees, please
It’s been six years since Collingwood went through a season without an ACL victim. It’s something all clubs know lurks around every corner, but a season without one would be a relief to all.

Collingwood’s ACL victims 2011-2016
2011: Nathan Brown
2012: Andrew Krakouer, Brent Macaffer, Luke Ball, Lachlan Keeffe
2013: Alan Toovey
2014: Matthew Scharenberg
2015: Matthew Scharenberg
2016: Jackson Ramsay

3. Scharenberg success
On the subject of knees, there’s one man all who love football will be wanting the best for in 2017. His name is Matthew Scharenberg, and his early career has been curtailed by injuries. Drafted at pick No. 6 in 2013, he boasts prodigious talent. Having missed the entire 2016 campaign after undergoing a knee reconstruction the previous December, we’d love to see ‘Shaz’ get a clear run at it next year.

4. Who stakes a claim?
Can Josh Smith continue to go from strength-to-strength?

Will Brodie Grundy go to the next level (again)?

What is Darcy Moore capable of?

Will Rupert Wills, Tom Phillips or Ben Crocker establish themselves as senior regulars?

Can Lynden Dunn become the defensive lynchpin alongside Ben Reid?

Lots of questions. The answers aren’t far away.

5. National recognition
Scott Pendlebury hasn’t made an All-Australian team for two years.

Can you believe that?

We can’t. But the fact remains. Can he break back in next year? Will he be joined by players such as Adam Treloar or Brodie Grundy, who have both established themselves as stars of the next generation?

On Treloar, he polled 21 Brownlow Medal votes in his first season as a Magpie. Blond hair, leg speed, eye catching style of play. He sounds like a future winner to us.