Several senior Magpies are in line to notch key milestones in season 2015.
Collingwoodfc.com.au outlines the main milestones on the horizon as we near the new season (fitness, form and injury Gods willing, of course).
250 games
Dane Swan (236 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 15 v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Swan, who is on target to play his 250th senior game against Port Adelaide in round 15, has the ability to move into eighth place on Collingwood’s all-time list of games played.
Should he play all 22 home and away games, he will have notched 258 for his career, wedging him between Gavin Brown (254 games) and Nathan Buckley (260 games).
In the case that he (and Collingwood) play in the maximum four finals, Swan will move into outright sixth position on the club’s all-time list.
200 games
Scott Pendlebury (192 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 8 v Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
It’s hard to believe the second year skipper is already well on his way to reaching the famed 200 game milestone.
Pendlebury, who has only just turned 27, has played more than 20 games in each of the past eight seasons. His durability (not to mention his 17 finals) has helped him near the milestone so early in his career.
With several years left to go before he even contemplates his twilight, could Pendlebury become only the third man to play 300 games for the mighty Black and White?
150 games
Travis Varcoe (138 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 13 v Fremantle at Patersons Stadium
Varcoe managed 138 games for Geelong between 2006 and 2014, including 17 finals and two premierships. Let’s hope the happiest days of his career are still to come.
Clinton Young (137 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 14 v Hawthorn at the MCG
Is it meant to be that the 2008 premiership Hawk plays his 150th game against his old club in round 14?
Young, 29, played 116 games for Hawthorn between 2005 and 2012.
Alan Toovey (131 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 20 v Sydney at the SCG
Toovey hasn’t had the best run with injuries of late. A knee reconstruction wiped out most of his 2013 campaign, while a series of minor niggles kept him off the park five times last year.
Given an injury free run, Toovey will be due to bring up game 150 against Sydney later this year.
Steele Sidebottom (127 games)
When the milestone is due: Qualifying/Elimination Final
The 24-year-old has raced to 127 games and has only been absent on five occasions since 2009 (three of which were due to suspension).
He’ll need to figure in every game of the home and away season, but should Collingwood feature in September, he will be in line to play his 150th game before he turns 25.
100 games
Ben Reid (99 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 1 v Brisbane at the Gabba
Poor Reid has been waiting for his milestone for some time. He was due to reach it on Easter Saturday against North Melbourne last year, but injuries derailed his campaign. He is currently overcoming the calf issue that saw him sent to Germany for treatment earlier in the year, but should he be ready for round one, the Cheer Squad will need to have their banner tribute ready to roll.
Nathan Brown (93 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 7 v Richmond at the MCG
Much like Reid, Brown’s milestone progress has been stalled by various injuries in recent times. He’s fighting fit again after should surgery so, all going well, Sunday 17 May will be his day.
Jesse White (89 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 11 v Greater Western Sydney at the MCG
In seven years as a Swan, White managed 18 or more senior games only twice. He clocked 18 in his first as a Magpie and is on track to record his 100th against the Giants midway through the season.
50 games
Lachlan Keeffe (40 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 10 v Melbourne at the MCG
It’s been a long time coming for Keeffe, who arrived at the club in December 2007 and debuted in 2011. A project player due to his soccer background, Keeffe’s progress was stalled by a knee reconstruction in 2012.
Ben Sinclair (44 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 6 v Geelong at the MCG
Sinclair was every chance to have notched this milestone last year had it not been for a series of hamstring injuries.
Marley Williams (37 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 14 v Hawthorn at the MCG
The 50 game mark is coming quickly for Williams, who debuted off the rookie list midway through 2012.
Sam Dwyer (34 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 17 v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
There must’ve been years where Dwyer thought he would never make it. The rover from Port Melbourne is 16 games shy of his 50th game, and all who follow football would be thrilled to see him make it.
Josh Thomas (32 games)
When the milestone is due: Round 19 v Carlton at the MCG
There’s a bit of a theme here with the 50 gamers. Keeffe, Sinclair, Williams, Dwyer and now Thomas have all had to overcome some unique hurdles to make it into the vicinity of 50 games. The Queenslander is 18 games away from his achievement.
Jarrod Witts (27 games)
When the milestone is due: Qualifying/Elimination Final
Witts will need to play all 22 games plus finals if he is to reach his 50th game, but after the way he shouldered the ruck in 2014, it’s certainly a possibility.
Goals
400 goals
Travis Cloke: 390 goals
200 goals
Dane Swan: 190 goals
150 goals
Travis Varcoe: 130 goals
100 goals
Steele Sidebottom: 99 goals
Jesse White: 93 goals
Jarryd Blair: 76 goals
50 goals
Tyson Goldsack: 47 goals
Ben Reid: 31 goals
The milestone men of 2015
Take a look at the main milestones on the horizon as we near the new season (fitness, form and injury Gods willing, of course).