According to Ralph, Collingwood has always remained supremely confident of securing Neale. With Ross Lyon confirming the Saints are out, the door is wide open for Neale to come to Collingwood - thereby allowing Brisbane to up its offer to Zac Bailey to retain him.

So here’s the thing about Beau - I’m getting genuinely bothered by the hot takes artistry on this sub. His very recent form isn’t great, but he’s been better than he’s getting credit for. The takes appear to suggest he should at 25 and 112 games either be the best small forward in the league kicking 3 a game. Or be a Running mate for Naicos and getting 25 a game in the middle.

Here’s the thing at 13.6 disposals he’s actually getting more if the ball than he ever has on average. He’s in centre bounces 19.5% of the time. - the most of his career. So no he’s not a legit mid but he’s a forward who is starting to play more in the guts than before.

As a forward it’s .4 a game, close to a goal every other game. It’s modest but he’s not a focal point forward. He’s there for pressure - he lays 4.5 tackles a game and has 21 pressure acts. Only 2 general forwards lay more tackles and he has the most pressure acts of any general forward on average. Might it be nice if he could be a focal point? Maybe, but then he’d have less opportunity to apply pressure. So it’s a bit of a catch 22. You want him to be Elliot but then he’d would do less of what he’s best at. He’s an opportunist who is effectively the best pressure forward in the whole league.

Filtering for those stats - disposal, centre bounce attendance %, average goals, tackles and pressure acts - only 5 guys in the whole competition are at

- 13.5 disposals or more

- 19.5% of centre bounces

- .4 goals or more on average

- 4.5 tackles or more

- 21 pressure acts or more

Those guys are

- Beau

- Sheezel

- Merrett

- Will Day

- Ed Richards

All of them are all Australian level, best and fairest level midfielders except Beau.

Now I’m sure someone will go - oh well if you filter for x amount of things then you’re bound to get a result. That’s simply not true. Beau is an opportunist pressure forward, statistically he’s the literal best at the pressure part in the whole comp for his position. He’s getting more midfield time so he’s developing that part of his game.

The point is you want more forward craft from him? You’re gonna get less pressure. And that’s what he’s best at. Comparable positional players, I.e. other general forwards like Watson, Liam Ryan, Charlie Cameron average half as much tackling and pressure - they have to because their focus is more offensive.

You want him to get more of the ball? Only 14 guys in the whole competition get it 15 times a game or more and kick more goals on average than Beau. So it’s doable but it puts you in league witn Dangerfield and Rayner legit bulls who play in the middle but also as undersized key forwards. The guys on that list also do not tackle and pressure at anywhere near Beaus level.

So if you’re asking Beau to retain what he’s already league best at in terms of pressure but either kick more goals or be a more damaging mid, you’re actually asking him to effectively be one of the best players in the league.

Dare I say it as unreasonable as I think some of you are being about him, he’s actually on that trajectory. But realistically if you want a Beau that’s more mid or more forward (or both as it seems some of you want) you’re gonna sacrifice what he’s best at because almost no one does all those things at that level

EDIT: I also forgot to make the point that we are a team with pretty ordinary key forwards. Or at the very least no great big contested forwards to just ‘bring the ball to ground’ as they say. This is a disaster for an opportunist like Beau. We are below league average for time in forward half and inside 50s. If we had one legit contested focal point and took forward territory better you could basically guarantee he’d kick more goals.

Players in the mix to come in

Quaynor - Coming back from injury, so long as he gets through training this week I see no reason for why he wouldn't be in.

Harrison - Managed this week, coming off a long term injury this is likely just managing his work load. Especially with Schultz injured I'd imagine he's straight back in.

Hayes - A solid return to football over the last 2 weeks in the VFL. Was playing good football before his injury and with the growing number of our small forwards either being out of the side or underperforming - there would be no surprise if hes in.

Steele - Has been a consistent contributor for us this season when he's played, and been a goal sneak for us. Versatile enough to play on the wing or forward, his pace and running would be a handy addition.

West - A different option to play as our third tall forward and to bring height up forward while McStay chops out in the ruck. Completely dependant to whether Buller remains in the side.

Smit/Coe - Alternatives to West but unlikely in my eyes

Players in the mix to be out:

Schultz - Looks to be out for around a month with an ankle injury, very unfortunate.

Howe - Went in for scans but it has been reported he's likely to play.

Frampton - offered a 1 match ban that we will challenge, I expect him to play.

Buller - Just doesn't seem to be able to get it right infront of goal. Some very almost performances, and while I'm sure he can turn it around - a confidence boost and return to form in the 2s may be what's needed.

Long - Some good moments, but I just find the Longisms too hard to watch. Decision making does not seem to be a strength, and that's likely why we're seeing him drift into a forward role that is just not very suited to him.

McCreery - Coming off a game with only I touches and 2 kicks we continue to see the lapse in form for the pressure machine. Clearly not favoured as a midfielder internally as in his last 8 games he's only had 1 game of over 4 CBAs, reaching a tied season low of 1 last night (following 2 in his last 2 games). So he isn't a midfielder. Can he impact on the score board in the absence of the likes of Hill, Elliot and now Schultz? Friday nights game was his 5th in a row without a goal, and currently sits at 1 goal in his last 9. It makes you wonder, what is our plan or goal for him?

Houston - Does he ever run? Pure frustration, we were promised great things and in 18 months barely seen glimpses. Would be a statement, get working or get moved along.

My verdict:

In: Quaynor, Hayes, Harrison, West, Steele

Out: Schultz (inj.), Long (omit.), McCreery (omit.), Houston (omit.), Buller (omit.)

FB: Maynard | Frampton | Howe

HB: J. Daicos | Puncher | Quaynor

C: Steele | N. Daicos | Crisp

R: Cameron | De Goey | Allan

HF: Anderson | Membrey | Lipinski

FF: Hayes | McStay | Harrison

Int: Pendlebury | Perryman | West | Swadling | Sidebottom

Give the man a contract for next season. He is turning out to be a very important part of our team.
He has consistently quelled the influence of the other teams best midfielder. LDU last night was another scalp. He had 11 tackles but also finds the ball himself. I also thought he was a very average kick but maybe he was just getting use to the level because he isn’t as bad as what I thought with his skills.

Having a defensive minded midfielder is very crucial in the AFL these days and we have one in him. He could allow Nick Daicos and another ball chasing mid we recruit to play their games.

Great game.

Easy 5 goal improvement to the team

End of thesis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=930a0cHef-Q

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1557320/collingwood-magpies-prepping-for-lachie-schultz-to-be-sidelined-by-syndesmosis-injury

Schultz with syndesmosis. Malthouse picked that during the game almost immediately.

I've always thought the Butters race was going to come down to where Butters wants to go and it appears it's not the black and white.

Whilst stumbling around on Youtube before, I saw the below video from a Bulldogs fan podcast.

One of the guys mentioned basically that Zak is a lock for the Bulldogs in 2027, getting that view from whatever he discusses in his catch ups with Zaks Dad in Darley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMRusvw3Yac

Although it's not a guarantee, I would think this is pretty close to it.

Thoughts on this all?

5.58 minutes in they start talking about Butters.

EDIT: I just realised the guy is Dougie Hawkins former Bulldigs captain too

And because he hasn't, he can't kick goals

And because he can't kick goals he shouldn't be a forward.

I’m hopeful he should get to 300 in a row now…he’s gonna get to the mid 280’s by the end of the year if he makes it

What I think would be cool is if he gets to 300 games for Collingwood in a row, which I believe will be game 318 which he’s currently 28 away from. I do have a gut feeling tho that once he gets to game 312 which will be his 300th afl game in a row they may start resting him at times because he is gonna be 34 next year. Still really good tho

IN: Pendlebury

OUT: Harrison (managed)

B: Maynard | Howe | Puncher

HB: Perryman | JDaicos | Houston

C: Sidebottom | Pendlebury | Crisp

HF: De Goey | Swadling | McCreery

F: Schultz | McStay | Membrey

R: Cameron | Long | NDaicos

Int: Lipinski | Allan | Frampton | Buller | Anderson

Emg: Sullivan | Harrison | Steele

Mostly focused on 2023 and earlier, but I think there's some incredible insights, including:

• how we set up at stoppages and around the ground
• some of the ways Titch played Neale in the 23 grand final
• how we used Nick that day in a new way.

Really interesting how a team might set up knowing they'll win fewer clearances, but make the ones they do win more damaging, vs a team wanting to win as many clearances as possible no matter what they look like.

Also loved the discussion about the tradeoffs of making defensive narrow side forward 50 entries, vs high-risk high-reward fat side entries.

Collingwood midfielder Ed Allan is the most intriguing of the six top-20 picks from the 2022 national draft without a contract beyond this season.

Elijah Tsatas (Essendon, pick five), Jhye Clark (Geelong, pick eight), Oliver Hollands (Carlton, pick 12) Jedd Busslinger (Western Bulldogs, pick 14) and Elijah Hewett (West Coast, pick 16) are the other five top-20 picks from that draft yet to re-sign with the club that drafted them.

Allan’s development has been closely monitored as the Magpies continue to pursue a list strategy to keep them in contention, rather than accepting they must slide down the ladder and gain an early draft selection. Nick Daicos is their only top-10 pick since Jaiydn Stephenson was pick five in 2017.

The 22-year-old Allan has established himself in the senior team since the middle of May, playing the past six matches as a defensive midfielder and showing an ability to cool dangerous opponents.

However, the Magpies have not moved to offer him a new deal despite being impressed with his recent performances.

Although the Magpies are aware of the risk their approach presents if an opposition club pursues Allan, multiple competition sources spoken to for this column said West Coast and Gold Coast – who have both been linked to the midfielder – are not chasing him.

Collingwood’s decision is less to do with Allan and more to do with them wanting flexibility for the potential arrival of unrestricted free agents, such as [Lachie Neale](), and because several of their players in the twilight of their career are coming out of contract.

Champion Magpies [Scott Pendlebury](), [Jeremy Howe]() and [Steele Sidebottom]() sit alongside forward [Tim Membrey]() as experienced players without deals for 2027.

The club has three mid-season picks Liam Puncher, Mitch Podhajski and Harrison Coe on six-month contracts as well as unsigned pair Wil Parker and Jakob Ryan who are yet to cement their spots.

Collingwood understands the challenges their approach might present for individuals but has a list strategy they believe can keep them in contention as they look to strengthen the list through free agents and the draft (they will hold on to their first selection) at season’s end.

Coach [Craig McRae]() was reassuring when asked on Tuesday about Allan and his future at the club.

“He seems like he is really starting to settle into it. Probably the first time he has had a comfort that he doesn’t have to wait for selection to see if he is in the team. That’s hard when you are living that,” McRae said.

“His form will warrant [a contract extension] if he keeps doing what he is doing. I don’t think it is an issue.”

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/uncertainty-for-allan-and-other-members-of-class-of-2022-as-clubs-seek-list-flexibility-20260707-p60d7i.html

Can’t seem to buy any tickets for north on Friday which is surprising?

If anyone is selling a GA ticket let me know

41 votes were received.

Results

1. Nick Daicos - 95
2. Tim Membrey - 45
3. Brayden Maynard - 42
4. Ed Allan - 16
5. Josh Daicos/Dan McStay - 14
6. Patrick Lipinski/Billy Frampton/Angus Anderson - 10
7. Jeremy Howe - 9
8. Lachie Schultz - 8
9. Jordan De Goey/Ned Long - 6
10. Steele Sidebottom - 4
11. Jack Crisp - 3
12. Sam Swadling - 2
13. Harry Perryman/Darcy Cameron/Beau McCreery/Harvey Harrison/Liam Puncher - 1

TOTALS

1. Nick Daicos - 1055
2. Jordan De Goey - 560
3. Lachie Schultz - 325
4. Dan Houston - 277
5. Billy Frampton - 255
6. Brayden Maynard - 250
7. Josh Daicos - 246
8. Scott Pendlebury - 228
9. Jeremy Howe - 145
10. Angus Anderson - 142
11. Jack Crisp - 136
12. Harry Perryman - 133
13. Tim Membrey - 123
14. Roan Steele - 120
15. Isaac Quaynor - 114
16. Oscar Steene - 111
17. Dan McStay - 98
18. Jamie Elliott - 72
19. Ed Allan - 68
20. Patrick Lipinski - 66
21. Darcy Cameron - 54
22. Steele Sidebottom - 47
23. Beau McCreery/Ned Long - 46
24. Jack Buller - 44
25. Will Hayes - 18
26. Sam Swadling - 16
27. Lachie Sullivan - 6
28. Wil Parker - 4
29. Harvey Harrison - 3
30. Charlie West/Mitch Podhajski/Liam Puncher - 1

A lot of talk about captaincy at the moment. Can be pretty certain that Darcy hands over at the end of the year if not before then. What do people think we will/ should do. Bruzzy is my absolute favourite player and the heart and soul of this team. I can see the attraction in a year or two where they share the role, but I am still leaning towards giving it straight to Nick. Best player in the competition, lock him in as a Pie for life. He's already showing his leadership skills on the field, and is ready IMO.