Collingwood captain Darcy Moore thinks that Ash Johnson is ready to step up in Dan McStay’s absence this campaign after the key forward went down with a pre-season ACL injury.
Johnson played 15 games in 2023 kicking 21 goals, but like McStay, missed out on playing in the Grand Final victory due to a season-ending injury.
Attacking 2024 with 24 career games under his belt and a third pre-season of fitness, Moore says that Johnson has trained unbelievably over the summer and has improved again on his 2023 output.
He expects the key forward to bring some excitement to the forward line alongside regulars Bobby Hill and Jamie Elliott with recruit Lachie Schultz and youngster Reef McInnes also expected to impact inside 50.
“Ash Johnson is training unbelievably,” Moore said on SEN Afternoons.
“He looks really ready to step up and be that replacement for Dan McStay.
“He’s had such a good summer and I've had the task of trying to play on him all summer and I can confirm that he's improved again. So, he’s been great.
“Bobby Hill's really improved again after his amazing performance in the Grand Final and Jamie Elliott's just doing what he does best.
“Then there’s Reef McInnes and Lachie Schultz. So again, there are some fresh faces for us that I think are gonna have an impact in the forward line.
“If Mason Cox isn't marking it, then it's going to come to ground and there's going to be some pretty special players at ground level, I think.”
Another player who has put their hand up in the race to partner with Brody Mihocek as the club’s second key forward is Nathan Kreuger.
The former Cat is another tall who has had his injury woes previously but Moore was excited by his performances in the intra-club and scratch match against North Melbourne.
“Yeah, he had a great run last week,” Moore said.
“He's been crashing packs and attacking the contest really hard.
“There's a bit of competition up there, which I think is a great thing and really healthy for our team.”
Collingwood face Richmond in an official practice match at Ikon Park on Tuesday.
Their season proper begins in Opening Round on Saturday, March 9 against GWS at GIANTS Stadium.
