48 hours on from winning the 2023 AFL Grand Final, Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly says his club is up against it to maintain a competitive list given the layout of the league.
The Magpies capped off a minor premiership season with the ultimate prize in footy on Saturday, knocking off Brisbane to the tune of four points in a thrilling climax to the season.
Several recent recruits played starring roles in the triumph. Bobby Hill, in his first season at Collingwood, took home the Norm Smith Medal, Tom Mitchell dragged his side over the line late in the game and Oleg Markov was a solid contributor.
Dan McStay was unfortunate to miss with a knee injury. All four recruits joined Collingwood in the leadup to season 2023 and were no doubt the difference between a flag and missing out yet again.
Speaking to SEN Breakfast, Kelly said similar list moves would become the norm over the coming years, suggesting the draft has become more compromised.
“I think the reality is... the clubs in Victoria, with what’s happened with North Melbourne and the extra couple of picks and what’s going to come at us with Tassie, plus the academies up in Sydney, Gold Coast and Queensland, we’re up against it,” Kelly explained.
“It’s going to have to be more of a strategy a bit like what Geelong has looked like… still go to the draft and get the right players but we’ve got to have the ability to go and get someone to come in for a couple of years, and it might only be two years.”
The North Melbourne assistance package sees the Kangaroos awarded three extra first round picks across the next two season given their dreadful record in recent seasons.
Kelly’s suggestion explains in part the play for experienced ruckman Todd Goldstein, as well as the club’s interest in Adelaide defender Tom Doedee.
The Magpies chief went on to credit footy boss Graham Wright for his involvement in the list strategy, as well as Craig McRae and his coaching staff.
Collingwood has picks 18 and 36 in this year’s National Draft before a pair of late selections.