King let down by young Pie’s progress as questions linger over McStay’s quick return

David King has been let down by Collingwood midfielder Fin Macrae in 2024.

The 22-year-old looked destined to play a big part for the Pies this campaign after a dominant pre-season but has only played nine games, being subbed on or off in four of those.

The No.19 pick from the 2020 Draft has only played 20 career games to date and King thinks he may have missed his big opportunity to become a consistent player for the Pies given that the likes of Lachie Sullivan and Ned Long are now being favoured over him despite the club’s injury crisis.

While his form at VFL level has been strong – averaging 26.7 disposals and 6.9 tackles – King thinks he’s been exposed at the top level and simply hasn’t earned a spot in the senior side despite all indicators over the summer suggesting that he was ready to do so.

“I watched him during the pre-season period, and he just destroyed a couple of those games and was becoming a clearance machine,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“I thought this would be his big opportunity to force his way into this lineup and give Collingwood another youngster that can put pressure on the rest.

“It just hasn't panned out that way and he's been exposed at AFL level to be quite frank, he hasn't been that clearance player they thought he was going to be and without the footy defensively, he's been really poor.

“So, I think they've had to challenge him to get better and you just can't reward that with selection unfortunately and he's paid the price.”

Unlike Macrae, one player that Collingwood is desperate to get into their senior side is Dan McStay, who is set to play on Saturday against Hawthorn less than eight months after rupturing his ACL.

Given that McStay has only played one VFL game in limited minutes after returning to full fitness, King asked his co-host Kane Cornes whether it was a desperate move to rush the key forward back.

King: “The Dan McStay one is interesting, he comes straight in pretty much after limited minutes last week.

“Where do you sit with that? Does it look like a desperate move to you?”

Cornes: “A little bit, but then I look at what Melbourne did with Jake Melksham, and I go well, that paid off, he hasn't missed a beat really, he's been important.

“So, I just guess it's down to what you expect from Dan McStay.

“Physically they obviously think he's fine, it’s how he adapts to this after missing for so long.

“It's probably a little bit of desperation. Ideally, would they have loved to have played two more in the VFL?

“Yes, but there’s six games to go and their season is slipping away.”

The reigning premiers, who sit 12th, play the 13th-placed Hawks in a massive game at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.