Collingwoodfc.com.au has put together a list of players who could be in contention for selection against Greater Western Sydney when the match committee sits later this week.
2. Jordan Russell
Has been in solid touch in the VFL since losing his place after the loss to Port Adelaide in round 14. Was important in holding off Box Hill a fortnight ago and was solid if unspectacular against the Cats on Friday night. Could be called upon to shore up Nathan Buckley’s defence.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 14 kicks, 4 marks, 2 handballs, 16 possessions, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 6 rebound 50s
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 10 kicks, 7 marks, 12 handballs, 22 possessions, 0 clearances, 0 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 tackle
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 12 kicks, 5 marks, 13 handballs, 25 possessions, 0 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 3 tackles
4. Alan Didak
Just as it appeared as if Didak was set to reclaim his position in the forward pocket, injury struck again following his 25 possessions on the Queen’s Birthday. He sat out the next five weeks and returned with 18 possessions in the wet against Geelong on Friday night. Kicked a trademark goal on the run from 40m out early in the final quarter and may require another week to get some continuity into his football.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 12 kicks, 3 marks, 6 handballs, 18 possessions, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
AFL Round 11 v Melbourne – 15 kicks, 5 marks, 10 handballs, 25 possessions, 0 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 0 tackles
AFL Round 10 v Brisbane – 5 kicks, 0 marks, 6 handballs, 11 possessions, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 2 tackles (began as the substitute)
8. Harry O’Brien
After his much publicised leave of absence leading up to the match against Carlton, O’Brien has been training strongly but has not played at either level. As a result, whenever he is ready to return, he may have to be brought back through the VFL. It’s not as if he’s been out of form. He was one of Collingwood’s best players in the first half of the season and as recently as round 12 notched 30 possessions for the second times this year.
Recent form
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 10 kicks, 3 marks, 10 handballs, 20 possessions, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 4 tackles
AFL Round 12 v Western Bulldogs – 15 kicks, 3 marks, 15 handballs, 30 possessions, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 tackles
AFL Round 11 v Melbourne – 12 kicks, 4 marks, 6 handballs, 18 possessions, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 3 tackles
9. Marty Clarke
Hasn’t played senior football since round 10 but has been in solid touch in the VFL ever since. Played a vital role in Collingwood’s win over Box Hill (33 possessions and seven inside 50s) and was named as an emergency for the games against Port Adelaide and Carlton. Should be fresh as he has only played two games in the last four weeks (he was the travelling emergency for the Port Adelaide match and had a week off last week as a result of the VFL team’s bye).
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 15 kicks, 3 marks, 9 handballs, 24 possessions, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 19 kicks, 12 marks, 14 handballs, 33 possessions, 2 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 tackles
VFL Round 11 v Coburg – 11 kicks, 7 marks, 4 handballs, 15 possessions, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 0 behinds, 0 tackles
11. Jarryd Blair
Missed his first match for the year against Gold Coast due to a calf complaint. Is remarkably durable, having played 74 of a possible 79 games since debuting in round 14, 2010, and will hopefully bounce straight back into the senior side against Greater Western Sydney this Saturday. Blair is averaging 17.47 disposals and a career-high 6.00 tackles per game this season and adds a competitive and uncompromising edge to the side.
Recent form
AFL Round 16 v Adelaide – 6 kicks, 4 marks, 12 handballs, 18 possessions, 0 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 4 tackles
AFL Round 15 v Carlton – 4 kicks, 0 marks, 12 handballs, 16 possessions, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 7 tackles
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 8 kicks, 3 marks, 8 handballs, 16 possessions, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 7 tackles
16. Nathan Brown
Has put aside a difficult run with injuries to piece together one of his most consistent seasons so far. Has been in and out of the side due to injury in each of his past four seasons (without counting his 2011 campaign that was wiped out by a knee reconstruction) but featured in his side’s first 15 games this year. Missed Saturday’s loss to the Suns with groin soreness but is an obvious candidate for inclusion against the Giants.
Recent form
AFL Round 16 v Adelaide – 4 kicks, 3 marks, 3 handballs, 7 possessions, 3 rebound 50s, 0 contested marks, 13 one percenters, 2 tackles
AFL Round 15 v Carlton – 3 kicks, 3 marks, 5 handballs, 8 possessions, 1 rebound 50, 2 contested marks, 10 one percenters, 2 tackles
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 2 kicks, 4 marks, 11 handballs, 13 possessions, 2 rebound 50s, 0 contested marks, 11 one percenters, 3 tackles
21. Quinten Lynch
Experiencing an interesting season at his new home. Was in blistering form in the first month of the year but has tapered since and missed two weeks with a back injury earlier this month. He returned in the VFL against Geelong on Friday and worked his way into the match as the night wore on. Had more of an influence on the game once he moved into the ruck in the second half in conditions that were more suited to smaller, running players.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 12 kicks, 3 marks, 3 handballs, 15 possessions, 7 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 5 kicks, 4 marks, 7 handballs, 12 possessions, 3 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 0 tackles
AFL Round 12 v Western Bulldogs – 6 kicks, 5 marks, 5 handballs, 11 possessions, 9 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 1 tackle
27. Ben Kennedy
Has been on the periphery of senior selection all year but fell out of the side once Dayne Beams returned against the Crows last week. Did not play owing to the VFL bye but clearly relished the opportunity to freshen up, winning 28 possessions and four clearances against Geelong. Was an emergency against Adelaide and Gold Coast and is likely to be in the frame for promotion this week.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 15 kicks, 2 marks, 13 handballs, 28 possessions, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50
AFL Round 15 v Carlton – 2 kicks, 1 mark, 4 handballs, 6 possessions, 1 clearance, 0 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 1 tackle (substitute)
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 2 kicks, 0 marks, 5 handballs, 7 possessions, 0 clearances, 1 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 0 tackles (began as the substitute)
29. Tim Broomhead
The South Australian teenager has been an important member of the VFL team since recovering from Glandular Fever. Regularly nudges the 20 possession mark and can be dangerous when floating forward. Was named as an emergency against the Western Bulldogs last month so is clearly in the match committee’s thoughts. A debut before the season is out wouldn’t be beyond him.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 8 kicks, 5 marks, 7 handballs, 15 possessions, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 16 kicks, 4 marks, 7 handballs, 23 possessions, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 3 tackles
VFL Round 12 v Port Melbourne – 12 kicks, 6 marks, 6 handballs, 18 possessions, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s
33. Jackson Paine
Although he hasn’t played at senior level, Paine has made definite improvement in his second year at the club. He has kicked 30 goals in 13 VFL matches (up on his 17 last season) including a purple patch against the Cats in round six. Hasn’t kicked more than two goals in his past three games and could only manage one in the wet on Friday.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 14 kicks, 6 marks, 4 handballs, 18 possessions, 0 clearances, 0 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 16 kicks, 12 marks, 3 handballs, 19 possessions, 0 clearances, 3 inside 50s,
0 rebound 50s, 2 tackles
VFL Round 12 v Port Melbourne – 13 kicks, 7 marks, 5 handballs, 18 possessions, 0 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s
35. Brodie Grundy
The ruckman’s past few weeks have shown exactly why he was touted as one of the best prospects in last year’s National Draft. Is clearly improving with each passing week and has done a terrific job in the absence of Ben Hudson and now Jarrod Witts. Has given his side a lift around the ground with some important marks and his ball handling and ground level skills are a delight to watch for a man that stands 202cm.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 9 kicks, 3 marks, 8 handballs, 17 possessions, 30 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 0 rebound 50s
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 11 kicks, 5 marks, 13 handballs, 24 possessions, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 6 tackles, 39 hitouts
VFL Round 12 v Port Melbourne – 2 kicks, 3 marks, 5 handballs, 7 possessions, 0 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 16 hitouts
37. Kyle Martin
Impressed in his four-game stint in the seniors before being subbed out of the match against Port Adelaide during the third quarter. He returned to the VFL against Box Hill where he hit the ground running with 27 possessions, 10 clearances and two goals. After a week off he continued to knock on the door of senior selection with 34 possessions and four inside 50s against the Cats on Friday night. Would certainly be deserving of another opportunity.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 21 kicks, 5 marks, 13 handballs, 34 possessions, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 15 kicks, 7 marks, 12 handballs, 27 possessions, 10 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 4 tackles
AFL Round 14 v Port Adelaide – 5 kicks, 4 marks, 6 handballs, 11 possessions, 0 clearances, 1 inside 50, 0 rebound 50s, 2 tackles (substituted out of the match during the third quarter)
43. Adam Oxley
Showed glimpses of his talent when used as a substitute against Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs and has kept things humming since returning to the VFL. Averaging 18 disposals in his past three games and played only the second half against Geelong (he was one of the three senior emergencies). Always gives a great contest across half back and most VFL watchers suspect fans will see him back in the seniors soon enough.
Recent form
VFL Round 14 v Geelong – 13 kicks, 2 marks, 2 handballs, 15 possessions, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s
VFL Round 13 v Box Hill – 13 kicks, 9 marks, 4 handballs, 17 possessions, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 0 rebound 50s, 3 tackles
VFL Round 12 v Port Melbourne – 17 kicks, 7 marks, 5 handballs, 22 possessions, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s
*Please note that tackle stats from Friday's VFL match against Geelong are currently unavailable.
