Mid-season report: Pies go from mystery to eyeing history

Collingwood were the mystery coming into the season. It was hard to read whether so many close wins in the 2022 season flattered them or if their two narrow losses in finals pointed to how close they were to a flag.

With a few off-season recruits in Tom Mitchell, Daniel McStay and Billy Frampton, the evidence in the first half of the season proves that Collingwood are a very, very good team that is very well coached and right in contention.

Where last year they were coming from behind to pinch close games, now they are doing it comparatively easier.

The Pies got through a spate of injuries that, while not big in number, were concentrated in crucial areas – ruck and key defence – and have managed to drop just one of 12 games.

The addition of low-key recruit Frampton proved a canny move as he bridged the ruck gap. McStay has largely been injured, so there isn’t a big enough body of work to judge his impact, but Mitchell has had the most profound input. Yes, he has squeezed Taylor Adams out of on-ball time, and the trickle-down effect of his impact on the team cannot be underestimated. He has been significant in Collingwood’s improvement in clearances. Ash Johnson coming on as a forward target has been important and with all the focus on Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos’ season should not be overlooked. He has been outstanding.

Who’s hot

Darcy Moore. Right now, the new skipper would also be All-Australian captain, and there is a strong argument that he is the most valuable player in the league. He is at the peak of his ability. Athletic, and quick; he marks the ball and takes off. His intercepts are among the most punishing in the game.

Has enough been said about Nick Daicos? No. Deceptively quick, he is still nominally a half-back, but also lines up in the centre square. He’s only a second-year player, but he could realistically win the Brownlow Medal.

Perhaps the biggest threat to the younger Daicos’ Brownlow chances is Jordan De Goey. His indiscretion against West Coast at the weekend will likely rule him ineligible, but De Goey will collect plenty of votes in the first half of the season. To think he might have left the club.

De Goey has been a huge beneficiary of Mitchell’s arrival, always at his best when getting second hands on the ball at stoppages, not chasing the first. Fitter now and playing as a permanent midfielder, he has been brilliant.

He is more damaging running out the front of packs kicking inside 50 than he was from the goal square leading for the ball. A genuine A-grader.

Who needs to lift

This is tough because Collingwood has such pressure on for positions now that players can’t risk dropping form. Jamie Elliott is having a leaner season than fans have come to expect from him.

He has not been poor, albeit his goal-kicking has not been as reliably accurate as last year, but he has not had same impact.

Having missed the last game, Elliott has clearly been carrying an injury, and his spring and hands haven’t been the same. The week off now could be the tonic – but he has been below his par.

Will Hoskin-Elliott was injured at the weekend, but before that he was battling and at risk of losing his place, after previously being among the Pies’ best. Pressure for spots is intense across the board and with Pat Lipinksi close to returning, Hoskin-Elliott will need to lift.

Taylor Adams is still adjusting to his new role spending more time at half-forward. The results have been mixed. Starved of as much access to the ball, he has looked to be trying too hard, attempting the difficult, not the easy. Magpies supporters love Adams for his toughness and grunt, but sacrificing his natural game has been difficult for him.

Coach’s box

Craig McRae has found the enviable balance in coaching. His players appear to like the place, like the coach and like the way the team is playing. They look like they know what their roles are and want to play for one another. And McRae has not yet lost his mind.

The results are with Collingwood in wins and losses, and while that will always be the yardstick, he also seems to truly want his team to play a good type of football, not just good football. And on that measure, the Pies are certainly delivering.

The road ahead
Round 13 v Melbourne at MCG
Round 14 – Bye
Round 15 v Adelaide at MCG
Round 16 v Gold Coast at Hertiage Bank Stadium
Round 17 v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium
Round 18 v Fremantle at MCG
Round 19 v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Round 20 v Carlton at MCG
Round 21 v Hawthorn at MCG
Round 22 v Geelong at MCG
Round 23 v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium
Round 24 v Essendon at MCG

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.