Several Magpies are in the frame to play their first AFL games of 2024 after impressive showings in Collingwood’s first VFL game on Friday night.
The Pies came away with a 28-point win over St Kilda-aligned Sandringham in the season-opening game at RSEA Park. Less than 24 hours earlier, AFL coach Craig McRae had bemoaned the poor fundamental skills of his side in a third straight defeat.
McRae spoke to the disappointing performances of “experienced players” in the post-game, and he and his coaching panel as expected to make further changes for Round 4 against Brisbane.
On Friday evening against the Zebras Collingwood had 12 AFL-listed players step out, with Josh Carmichael among the best.
The 2022 mid-season draft pick kicked a goal from 20 touches and could have had a massive night, finishing with three behinds.
Carmichael also worked hard for nine marks and four clearances. He’s only played seven AFL games and just one last year, but the 24-year-old is coming into his prime and is an option for McRae as a proven performer at senior level.
John Noble, who made headlines for being dropped ahead of last year’s Qualifying Final, again found himself out of the senior side this weekend and picked up 29 possessions and seven rebound 50s in the VFL. He had 19 first-half disposals in what was his sixth ever game of VFL for the Pies.
A brilliant start to our 2024 campaign! ⚫️⚪️
— Collingwood FC VFL (@CollingwoodVFL) March 22, 2024
John Noble (29 disposals) and Lachlan Sullivan (28 disposals) were the major ball winners, while Joe Richards (3 goals), and Ned Long (15 tackles) stood tall. pic.twitter.com/ae1TLrFwM9
Speaking on Thursday night, McRae spoke about finding a permanent position for young midfielder Fin Macrae – who again started as the substitute against St Kilda – as well as looking at younger options.
“Selection will be done at its right place later in the week. But I think in terms of where we want to go and get to, there’s always an opportunity to bring Harvey Harrison and guys into our team, and energy and youthfulness, hunger,” McRae said.
“Hunger’s a good thing isn’t it, some guys who are less exposed if you like.
“It’s probably fair that there should be some discussions around why (Macrae) is not in our best 22, we’ve just got to find out, don’t we?
“He’s certainly one of those players I’ve alluded to before … we’ve got to get a hungry young lad in there, he’s ready to go, so he’s certainly one we want to consider.”
Harrison collected 20 disposals, three inside 50s and a goal on Friday and has featured at the top level, having played all of his four AFL games last year.
Of the fresh faces who could debut, Edward Allan looms as the most likely. A first round pick from 2022, Allen strung together an impressive VFL campaign last year and has started the new season in fine form.
He gathered 24 possessions and five clearances while also laying eight tackles, meanwhile Lachlan Sullivan may not be far away from a fairy tale debut.
After leaving Footscray’s VFL program and earning one of the final three AFL list spots at Collingwood over the pre-season, Sullivan has been an eye-catcher at the AIA centre in match simulation and in his first official game in new colours enjoyed a team-high 30 disposals playing on ball.
His debut would go some way to an amount of positive press at Collingwood, of which there is little at the moment.
Further up the ground, Ash Johnson responded to his AFL axing by kicking one goal from six touches, while Charlie Dean had 18 disposals down the other end of the field.
Mature age draft pick Joe Richards, who joined the Pies in November, showed he could also be an option with three goals.
Ash Johnson capitalises on a dangerous kick from defence to give Collingwood the lead 👏
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) March 22, 2024
Watch the Smithy’s VFL live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkSGTM pic.twitter.com/FMu8EnuLPX
Collingwood are only the third reigning premier to start the next season 0-3 since 1975 and looks to have lost the hunger that made them the best side of 2023.
A clash with the Lions to open Round 4 on Thursday night could well define the Pies’ campaign, with Brisbane also desperate for a win after starting the season 0-2.
St Kilda is in a different place to the Pies and looks to be one of the form teams of the competition after dominating the reigning premiers for large parts of Thursday night.
But Ross Lyon will be forced into at least two and possibly three changes for Round 3. New recruit Liam Henry sustained a serious hamstring injury in the win, while Mason Wood has already undergone surgery for a broken collarbone.
Max King has also been offered a one-match ban for rough conduct, although it’s understood St Kilda is likely to challenge the ban.
As for players ready to fill their places, they don’t come much more off-the-shelf than 2023 draftee Arie Schoenmaker.
A draft slider picked up by the Saints with selection no.62, Schoenmaker stands at 194cms and weighs 91kgs and loomed as a player who could debut early for the Saints.
And that early debut could come as quickly as Round 4 after his efforts on Saturday night. The Zebras were keen to give the ball to the 19-year-old with a booming left foot off half-back, with Schoenmaker finishing with 34 possessions, 13 marks and eight inside 50s, team highs in all.
Anthony Caminiti looms as King’s replacement should he be suspended and the 20-year-old kicked two goals against the Magpies, while Brad Crocuh picked up 14 disposals in a half.
Lyon’s men face Essendon in Round 4, a clash that will say plenty about both sides’ prospects in 2024.