AN ACTIVE trade period will likely see Collingwood enter the 2024 AFL Draft at the latest point of any club, laying claim to a quartet of picks in the third round and beyond. With the Magpies poised to use all four selections, can they rely on the depth of the draft to top up and rebound straight back into finals?

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2024 RECORD: 
2024 PICKS: 52, 55, 60, 66
FUTURE PICKS: COL R2, COL R3, COL R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Nil. 

POTENTIAL TARGETS:

It’s anyone’s guess as to exactly what Collingwood will target so late in the piece, and which players will be available. If anything is for (near) certain, it’s that this year’s draft is as evenly talented and deep as many others before it, presenting a great opportunity for the Magpies to pick up a bargain – or four.

Fans have been crying out for the club to draft young key position players for some time, and perhaps a few will be available this year. South Australian forwards Charlie West and Charlie Nicholls offer great versatility, with the former also able to ruck while the latter can swing to defence.

Northern Knights prospect Gabriel Stumpf lit up the National Draft Combine and presents significant upside in his athletic profile as a ruck-forward. Likewise, former high-jumper Floyd Burmeister has all the tools to develop into a modern day key position player with his mobility and versatility.

All of the above, perhaps barring West given his physical maturity, will need some time to develop. That’s why the return of Dan McStay and recruitment of Tim Membrey will be key to keeping Collingwood competitive, by helping kick winning scores each week while such youngsters develop.

Should a lockdown defender be in mind, West Australian key backs Clancy Dennis and Darcy Petersen combined well at the National Championships. Dennis earned All-Australian honours along the way. Perhaps a bid is in store, too, for Academy products Joel Cochran (Sydney) and Cooper Bell (GWS).

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has made it clear his side is in the window to compete and would rather players than picks. Does that hint at a focus on some mature-age support? If so, Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallist Sam Davidson is the leading option as a 190cm, hard-running forward.

Along similar lines, over-age rucks like Aiden Riddle and Lucas Impey held their own at the National Championships. The former’s Claremont teammate Max Rohr also has potential in the same age category, while Northern Bullants high-flyer Will Elliott is not far removed from the pathway either.

Of course, the Magpies could well blow up the narrative and pounce on an unforeseen slider, as they have done in the past. A ‘best available’ approach would see a few midfielder and flanker types available late on, and perhaps they could be too good to refuse.

Collingwood had one realistic club-tied option to consider in Next Generation Academy graduate Luke Quaynor – the brother of Isaac. He’s a little less further along than his elder sibling at this stage but offers similar competitiveness as a small defender. The Pies opted against lodging a nomination for him.

He arguably is not exactly what the Pies need in that position, though also been trialled as a pressure forward and could be a handy late or rookie selection for other clubs. Collingwood also has to consider father-son prospect Thomas McGuane for next year, as he looms as a top 25 prospect.

As it stands, the Magpies don’t have the stock to trade back up the order this year, considering their lack of a future first round selection and other clubs’ desire to remain in the pool. The club has also committed to re-listing Ash Johnson and Oleg Markov as rookies.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– What kind of value can Collingwood extract with four late picks?
– Will Collingwood finally draft a key forward?
– Are any of Collingwood’s club-tied talents a chance to find homes?