In 2008, Collingwood finished in sixth position. It was undoubtedly an inconsistent season where after playing 24 games, their win-loss record was 13 – 11. A young and inexperienced team reached the semis, but alas they were not strong enough against a more experienced side.

Star debutant Nathan J.A Brown was an important inclusion down back with the retirement of James Clement; he played all games and earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. Another debutant was ‘defender’ John Anthony, who after playing most of his games down back in the VFL, was found to be an extremely valuable target up forward with Anthony Rocca absent due to injury. Paul Medhurst (All Australian team 08), Alan Didak and Dane Swan (Copeland Trophy Winner) stepped up in 08, to show off their skills and fast running up forward and around the ground. Collingwood were the team with the highest tackle count of the year, this illustrated their determination to run down opponents, work hard and gain possession as often as possible. These characteristics were instrumental in what was certainly Collingwood’s finest performance of the year, the smashing of reigning premiers Geelong by 86 points at the MCG. This was a task that only the Magpies were able to achieve in the home and away season. After an up and down year, Collingwood’s end of season and finals campaign was interrupted by an off-field incident involving key players Alan Didak and Heath Shaw, which resulted in the suspension of both players for the remainder of the season; these players were so valuable in the team line-up that their absence interfered with possible further finals progression.

Backline

In 2008 the backline consisted of players who were lacking in experience with the exception of Maxwell, Shaw and Wakelin. With an early end to veteran Simon Prestigiacomo’s year due to injury the backline was forced to make some changes to accommodate for the lack of height. Debutant Nathan Brown was a good inclusion to the line up, and proved to be a consistent player, playing on many of the great full forwards of the game today and holding them too few goals. Shaw and Maxwell provided some good run from half back and centre half back to the experienced midfielders. While Wakelin was always waiting in the last line of defence to create a Collingwood turn around. For a young and learning backline, the boys, as a group, were able to remain mostly consistent throughout the season.

Midfield

Led by veteran skipper Scott Burns, Copeland Trophy winner Dane Swan (590 disposals) and fellow senior players Dale Thomas, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury and Shane O’Bree, the midfield for the Pies always seemed to have run and tackled hard (as the highest tackling team in the AFL). It was an area to be reckoned with when the boys were out running fast and aggressively and disposing of the ball effectively. The midfield was probably the most reliable area of the Pies line-up with most of the players being on top of their game throughout the season.

Forwards

Anthony Rocca provided a strong target up forward in and out of the first 13 rounds of the season, with an ongoing ankle injury. To this point he been a great presence in the team, kicking,16 goals to 10 behinds. His ankle took its toll at the end of Round 13 unfortuantly, which has sidelined him from the game indefinitely.
Rocca was missed for the remained of the year; Travis Cloke (40 goals) was forced to stand up as the main forward, but was forced week in week out to play against the opposition’s best defender. Despite Cloke playing on these solid defenders, he did manage to gain possession of the ball up the ground and up forward, but missed many opportunities with his inaccuracy throughout the season, which ended up being a problem for Cloke and for the team.
Small forwards Alan Didak (averaging 18 kicks per game and 24 goals for the season) and
Paul Medhurst (50 goals, 179 marks Anzac Day Medallist and All Australian), both proved themselves on field with a good combination of goals and hard work around the ground. Towards the later part of the season John Anthony did stand up, with highly accurate kicking skills. Overall the Pies goal kicking accuracy was a letdown in 08.

Rucks

The Collingwood ruckmen had a relatively good year, despite not being the strongest rucking duo in the AFL. Josh Fraser was the Pies primary ruckman, who ended the season with 31 hit outs. In 2008, Cameron Wood was a good inclusion into the ruck, he ended the season with 41 hit outs (10 more than Fraser). Wood’s impact and rotations with Fraser, allowed Fraser to push forward and provide a good marking target up forward, who proved accurate, kicking 12 goals 3 during the year. Chris Bryan, also spent much of 2008, supporting Josh Fraser in the ruck, with 22 hit outs. Each of Collingwood’s ruckmen were in the top 20 for hit outs in 2008. It seems that if the Collingwood ruck men beef up some more and develop more strength, as the likes of David Hille from the Bombers, the three boys could rotate really well throughout 09.

Summary/Expected Finish

After a pretty good pre-season, it seems the supporters expect big things in the 2009 Premiership Season. Collingwood has one of the youngest lists in the AFL and with Mick Malthouse coaching his 10th season with the Pies and in the final year of his contract, every single moment is critical. The Pies have 18 out of 22 matches in Melbourne, which should already boost their confidence and September chances if they play according to plan every SINGLE game, winning games they should win, all the time!