They used be just some of the others. Now they’re the players shaping Collingwood’s run of recent form.
10 of the Magpies’ starting 22 who took the field in Saturday night’s 28-point victory over St Kilda started their careers at other clubs.
They range from former premiership Cat Travis Varcoe, to nine-gamer Sam Murray, who struggled to find his place during two years at the Sydney Swans.
Throw in the likes of Daniel Wells, Adam Treloar and Jeremy Howe (to name a few) and Collingwood’s team is a well-organised mess of players embracing their new home.
After 100 games at Melbourne and now 50 in Black and White, Howe believes the group is only just beginning to turn shared experience into strong performance on the field.
“I think there’s a bit of continuity throughout the list,” the defender told Triple M on Sunday.
“We’ve got a fair few guys who are starting to play consistent games together now, which definitely helps.
“We’re from all over the place, but we’re clicking together.”
According to Howe, one man crucial to Collingwood’s early success in 2018 is fellow defender Jack Crisp.
The 24-year-old started his career as a Brisbane Lion, before relocating and placing third in the Copeland Trophy in his first season as a Magpie.
He’s since been reinvented as a defender – one who Howe believes is playing his role superbly.
“He is the best gut-runner in our team,” Howe said.
“He defends really well and creates a lot of run and drive off the backline.
“His form this year has been outstanding. It definitely doesn’t go undervalued within the club.”
Providing just as much value is Howe and the eight other Magpies who begun their careers in different colours.
With Levi Greenwood solidly returning from injury in the VFL, there’s every chance we may soon see half a team of players who once had their name’s called out on draft day by an opposing club.
SECOND-HOME MAGPIES
Traded-in players or free agents who took the field in round nine:
- Taylor Adams: GWS Giants to Collingwood (2013)
- Jack Crisp: Brisbane Lions to Collingwood (2014)
- Travis Varcoe: Geelong to Collingwood (2014)
- Jeremy Howe: Melbourne to Collingwood (2015)
- Adam Treloar: GWS Giants to Collingwood (2015)
- Daniel Wells: North Melbourne to Collingwood (2016)
- Lynden Dunn: Melbourne to Collingwood (2016)
- Will Hoskin-Elliott: GWS Giants to Collingwood (2016)
- Chris Mayne: Fremantle to Collingwood (2016)
- Sam Murray: Sydney to Collingwood (2017)
