Josh Jenkins liked what he saw from Collingwood in their 42-point win against his former club Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
The Pies held sway throughout the contest and looked dangerous in front of goal, scoring triple figures for the second consecutive week after their Round 1 win against St Kilda.
Collingwood have attacked with freedom and gone forward at all costs under new coach Craig McRae, but it’s at the other end of the ground where Jenkins has been most impressed.
With proven products in Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor down back alongside attacking weapons Scott Pendlebury and Nick Daicos, Jenkins “loves” the make up of Collingwood’s defensive unit in 2022.
“I’m bullish on Collingwood,” Jenkins said on AFL Nation.
“I love their back six or seven, that’s sort of newly constructed, with Howe going into that squad I think we’ve kind of forgotten how important he is, we know what he does in the air and he’s a brilliant kick.
“Pendlebury goes back … they’ve got five or six genuinely good decision makers and ball users out of that backline.”
With their defence tried and tested, Jenkins believes continued potency in front of goal could see Collingwood host a home final this September.
“My watch on Collingwood is if Elliott, Mihocek and De Goey can combine for 100 plus goals – because that’s the worry – then I think they are in the mix,” Jenkins said.
“I think they can finish top six, I really like them.
“I’ve got a bit of a query … I’m not sure how many genuinely good teams there will be this season.”
Collingwood will hope to go 3-0 when they host Geelong on Saturday night at the MCG.