MIDFIELD depth was Collingwood’s priority at the 2025 AFL Draft, with several unique onballers recruited alongside a pair of Next Generation Academy (NGA) graduates. The Magpies entered proceedings on night two, making four selections before adding a single rookie.

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DRAFT HAUL

NATIONAL DRAFT:
Pick 32. Tyan Prindable
Pick 37. Sam Swadling
Pick 55. Zac McCarthy
Pick 57. Angus Anderson

ROOKIE DRAFT:
Jai Saxena (Cat A NGA)

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

Collingwood has taken the mantra of elongating its premiership window with mature recruits, and that was a theme of this year’s draft crop. Particularly in the focus area of midfield, the Magpies added players with state league experience and a diverse range of skills between them.

Lions Academy product Tyan Prindable was first off the board at pick 32, with a full year of senior footy with Coorparoo and five VFL games under his belt. The Pies like his clean clearance work, able to navigate the contest while proving a team player who could also perform roles up forward.

Only five selections later came West Australian Sam Swadling, who made a seamless transition across four senior games with West Perth. He’s more of an outside type, possessing dual-footed kicking ability and a wicked side-step, not to mention the sheer volume he gathers possessions at.

Last of the midfield crop was Sturt’s Angus Anderson, who graduated from the Swans Academy in 2022. The mature-ager played 18 SANFL League games this season and was best afield in the Double Blues’ Grand Final win. The Pies were enamoured by his toughness, size, added fitness base, and versatility.

There was plenty of talk surrounding Collingwood’s club-tied talent this year, with the lone National Draft selection being mobile ruck-forward Zac McCarthy. While a little surprised he slid into the 50s, the Magpies were pleased to avoid an earlier bid and bring in long-term fold for their key position stocks.

Collingwood then had a decision to make at the Rookie Draft. Having opted against nominating Thomas McGuane as a National Draft selection, the club again overlooked him for a rookie spot in favour of small forward Jai Saxena. McGuane has earned a train-on opportunity with Adelaide, while Saxena becomes just the second player of Indian descent to be drafted to the AFL.

GRADE: C+

There were plenty of positives out of the Magpies’ draft haul. They earned ticks for addressing their midfield needs with not only strong extractors, but also different types who can play secondary roles. They stuck to their philosophy with readymade players boasting senior experience, but perhaps overlooked others with higher upside in the process. That upside instead comes via McCarthy, while the Saxena story is a big win for their academy program. Not particularly flashy, but effective overall.