The 5 Year Plan: Collingwood
The numbers for the players are their approximate ages in 5 years time. Of course, trades, injuries, drafts and unexpected retirements will affect what players are still around in 5 years. But this might be the core of the team when season 2011 starts.
FB H O'Brien 24, N Brown 23, T Lockyer 31
HB B Johnson 30, B Reid 23, R Lonie 28
C N Maxwell 28, D Swan 27, R Shaw 29
HF C Egan 25, C Dawes 23, D Thomas 24
FF C Bryan 29, S Rusling 24, A Didak 28
Foll J Fraser 29, S Pendlebury 24, H Shaw 25
bench G Richards 28, L Davis 30, T Cloke 24, B Holland 31
Outlook: The Magpies will need a bit more height in the future but they have the makings of a very quick and versatile team. Brown and Reid might have to play the key defensive spots, but Brown might be better as a full forward and Reid could do more damage in an onball role. Dawes' injury problems could be an old memory in 5 years time and he could be the big body that replaces Rocca up forward. Pendlebury, Rusling and Thomas should be the match-winners for Collingwood in the future, their size and versatility will make them difficult to contain.
FB H O'Brien 24, N Brown 23, T Lockyer 31
HB B Johnson 30, B Reid 23, R Lonie 28
C N Maxwell 28, D Swan 27, R Shaw 29
HF C Egan 25, C Dawes 23, D Thomas 24
FF C Bryan 29, S Rusling 24, A Didak 28
Foll J Fraser 29, S Pendlebury 24, H Shaw 25
bench G Richards 28, L Davis 30, T Cloke 24, B Holland 31
Outlook: The Magpies will need a bit more height in the future but they have the makings of a very quick and versatile team. Brown and Reid might have to play the key defensive spots, but Brown might be better as a full forward and Reid could do more damage in an onball role. Dawes' injury problems could be an old memory in 5 years time and he could be the big body that replaces Rocca up forward. Pendlebury, Rusling and Thomas should be the match-winners for Collingwood in the future, their size and versatility will make them difficult to contain.
