WITH the 2021 trade period done and dusted, it is now time for clubs and fans alike to turn their attention to the draft. Between now and draft day (November 24/25), clubs have had the opportunity to exchange picks with the final order formed just over a week out. While the chaos settles, Rookie Me Central takes a look at how each club may approach the upcoming intake with the hand they formed at the close of trade period.

Next under the microscope are the Collingwood Magpies, who are set to pick up a son of a gun and see what might be left over.

CURRENT PICKS: 36, 38, 40, 46, 48, 58, 78, 79

2022 PICKS: COLL Round 1, FRE Round 3, RICH Round 3, BRI Round 3, ADE Round 4

ELIGIBLE ACADEMY/FATHER-SON PICKS:

Nick Daicos (F/S), Youseph Dib* (NGA)

* – denotes club elected against nomination

LIST NEEDS:

+ Classy ball users
+ Crumbing small forward
+ Key position forward/ruck

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:
(Pick 36)

Whilst on paper the club’s first pick in 36, everyone knows it will end up being a top four selection, for the club to bring in Nick Daicos. Touted as a number one selection throughout the year, it is now known that North Melbourne will avoid bidding on the son of Magpie legend Peter, and instead select Jason Horne-Francis. Then it will be up to the GIANTS as to whether they bid Daicos, or perhaps as has been reported more recently, Sam Darcy, or both. The Magpies have committed to Daicos, added an extra two years to his contract so he is locked in until the end of 2025, and the teenager has already been training at the club.

There is no doubt that Daicos is the club’s first pick, so it makes it really easy to pinpoint the Magpies’ selection. Daicos will cost Collingwood a pretty penny, but he will be worth every cent, and if he slides to Pick 3, then no doubt Collingwood would be thrilled as they could close out their draft in the third round. Whilst they will lose plenty of picks by matching the Daicos bid, they have accumulated a number of third round selections in next year’s draft to potentially move back into this year’s draft and select either sliders or mid-draft prospects they rate.

REMAINING CROP:

Without knowing the exact Daicos bid, it is hard to calculate where the Magpies remaining picks might land. It is hoped within the club that a few within the third round would be fantastic considering the quality Daicos brings, and no doubt that they could then look to ontrade some selections to move up the order if required. If they are looking for a tall, Jack Williams could be one name considered in that range, whilst the Pies may even move up to snaffle this year’s top pure ruck in Toby Conway.

If the Magpies dangle their first rounder for next year in front of clubs once the Daicos bid has been matched, could they produce a pick in the teens to secure someone like a Josh Sinn or Campbell Chesser? There is always potential to pick South Australians with League experience so Arlo Draper might be an option if they can get a high enough pick, or they might look to grab a slick sliding talent like Cooper Murley or Sam Banks. From a small forward perspective, Sam Butler would be high up on their board for needs, while Rebels teammate Kai Lohmann is another needs-based selection.

KEY QUESTIONS:

> What pick will the Nick Daicos bid come at?
> Will the Magpies eye off trading back into the first round or mid-draft?
> Would Collingwood potentially eye off a tall in this draft, or wait until the smorgasbord of talls in 2022?

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