{"id":71157,"date":"2025-01-29T08:56:46","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T22:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=71157"},"modified":"2026-07-03T10:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T00:30:09","slug":"one-last-job-for-collingwood-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2025\/01\/one-last-job-for-collingwood-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"One Last job for Collingwood in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Craig McRae and Scott Pendlebury are sitting in a bar, pondering what was in 2024 and what could be in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Pendlebury\u2019s head is slouched on the bar, apparently watching the TV but his eyes are glazed over.<\/p>\n<p>McRae is nursing a Glenfiddich 21 that has been in his glass so long it no longer tastes like whiskey, it\u2019s just brown water.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPerryman gives us bounce.\u201d McRae says as Pendlebury doesn\u2019t acknowledge him.<\/p>\n<p>McRae continues to fidget.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen Membrey gives us a forward. A bit of bounce and a forward should do it don\u2019t you think.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>No acknowledgement from Pendlebury again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think we need one more? You think we need one more. Alright we\u2019ll get one more\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"you think we need one more?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PXKvdPeE7mw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>McRae downed his drink with a grimace and left the bar briefly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHouston is in. One last run.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Like Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan working out how to rob the Bellagio<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Oceans 11 - Plan\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pIVEUEnIZjM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Scott Pendlebury, Craig McRae and the Collingwood brain trust have gone all in on seasons 2025 and 2026.<\/p>\n<p>They have to know that if they don\u2019t win the whole thing this year or next, then it\u2019s over for the team that fielded the oldest and most experienced team in the AFL last season and then doubled down on age and experience this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>The Pies brought in three 120+ game players in their mid-late 20s at the expense of picks, including their next two first rounders (Tim Membrey was free). This is after a 2023 trade period where they traded yet another first round pick for a pressure forward in Lachie Schultz.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It&#39;s official \u270d\ufe0f \u2705 Tim Membrey is a Magpie after signing a two-year deal! <\/p>\n<p>With 179 games of experience, Membrey has kicked 293 goals at AFL level. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IfScUT19Iq\">pic.twitter.com\/IfScUT19Iq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CollingwoodFC\/status\/1852126698470543751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a Collingwood team that knows they jagged a premiership in 2023 when they weren\u2019t the best team in it.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">COLLINGWOOD are the 2023 AFL premiers!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLGF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLGF<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Be5MEfmXoe\">pic.twitter.com\/Be5MEfmXoe<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; 7AFL (@7AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/7AFL\/status\/1708019236587577853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 30, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>They also know that their aggressive game style stood up at the end of last when they were finally fully healthy. They went 4-1 in their last five games including a win against the premiers and nearly snuck into the finals.<\/p>\n<p>Over that five game period, the Pies were third in footy at scoring from the forward half and fifth at scoring from stoppage and they led the league in shots per inside 50. They were also fifth in tackles inside 50.<\/p>\n<p>Defensively they were also elite, sitting sixth in opponent expected score and second in goals per inside 50 given up. They didn\u2019t give up more than 89 points over the final five weeks of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Their issue was that they struggled with getting quality shots, sitting 13th in expected score per shot.<\/p>\n<p>Across the whole year last season, the Pies were poor at scoring from the back half, sitting 15th, but they were still reliant on a slingshot style of play.<\/p>\n<p>They try to generate turnover higher up the ground than they did in 2023 and get the ball moving quickly into an open forward line, which is an acknowledgement of a lack of talent.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Collingwood v Adelaide highlights | Round 15, 2023 | AFL\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZntcZ6PRt3g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>They rely on that slingshot style of play around the ball as well. They manufacture it by having extra numbers (usually taken from the forward line) on the periphery of stoppages so they can launch their explosive runners like they\u2019re detonating the pinch.<\/p>\n<p>That sort of game style showed in their numbers. They were fourth at scoring from the forward half and top eight at scoring from both stoppage and turnover.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re acceptable not elite numbers.<\/p>\n<p>Dan Houston, with some help from another back half runner in Harry Perryman, can make them elite in those numbers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">He&#39;s a two-time All-Australian for a reason \ud83d\udc4a<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy the very best of our new Magpie, Dan Houston: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0jwLGEA3oN\">pic.twitter.com\/0jwLGEA3oN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CollingwoodFC\/status\/1846088243433165023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Among all general defenders who played at least 20 games, Houston was 11th in rebound 50s and sixth in inside 50s.<\/p>\n<p>He was also seventh in score involvements among all general defenders, having a hand in 20% of all of Port\u2019s scoring, while retaining a kicking efficiency of 82%.<\/p>\n<p>This is a player who can happily sit outside of stoppages and prey on clear air. He\u2019s equally good at freeing runners with his exceptional kicking for them to go inside 50, or delivering it inside 50 himself.<\/p>\n<p>The other big issue that I mentioned for Collingwood was a lack of talent up forward.<\/p>\n<p>Their tendency to keep three forwards at home is a floor raiser for them because of the space they can give to their forwards, but at a certain point you can\u2019t make lemonade anymore.<\/p>\n<p>The Pies took the tenth most marks inside 50 in the AFL last season despite getting some of the cleanest entries in footy.<\/p>\n<p>With Tim Membrey, they\u2019ve clearly decided to go to the shops and just buy some lemonade.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">179 games, 293 goals, a three-time leading goalkicker and a new addition to our forward line! \ud83c\udf1f<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy the best of Tim Membrey: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/orFiSUhirA\">pic.twitter.com\/orFiSUhirA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CollingwoodFC\/status\/1852161385016258992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Membrey is not an elite player by any stretch, but he is an AFL forward.<\/p>\n<p>That instantly makes him the best forward at Collingwood.<\/p>\n<p>Other than 2023 when Membrey only played seven matches, Membrey has kicked at least 1.5 goals per game in every year since 2016 on one of the least dynamic teams in footy over that span.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s had seven 30 goal seasons.<\/p>\n<p>Membrey is also forever available. Since 2016, he\u2019s played at least 17 games every year other than 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Dan McStay hasn\u2019t played 17 games since 2022 and has never kicked 30 goals in a season in his career. Brody Mihocek, Collingwood\u2019s other key forward is 31 and coming off a torn pec.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek is set to be out for the remainder of the season as coach Craig McRae says that he may need surgery on a torn pectoral. Mihocek suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of tonight&#39;s match against Essendon. Mihocek played on briefly before&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/be7eREotZG\">pic.twitter.com\/be7eREotZG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; AFL News, Results &amp; Rumors (@RumorsAFL1993) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RumorsAFL1993\/status\/1809228400588210429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 5, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>By adding Membrey to a team that prides itself on fast, high quality forward 50 entries (the Pies were fifth in marks inside 50 over the last five games of the season despite their best forward being Reef McInnes), they can instantly knock every other player down a defender, while also affording Membrey some space.<\/p>\n<p>The simple fact of Membrey being there virtually every week, means every other C+ player in their forward line gets a worse defender.<\/p>\n<p>It might even free up Jordan De Goey to play more midfield time if he decided to go for a jog or two this offseason and make them more explosive.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFLcomau\/status\/1882656736668241999<\/p>\n<p>He doesn\u2019t have to dominate games and kick 80 goals he just has to be there and the Pies explosive ball movement will find him.<\/p>\n<p>Explosive ball movement that just got better with the addition of Dan Houston.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Dan Houston in defence and attack \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n<p>Can\u2019t wait to see our new recruit pull on the black and white stripes in season 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BPRkPn8mno\">pic.twitter.com\/BPRkPn8mno<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CollingwoodFC\/status\/1881873314605658251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Adding those guys to a team that already has serious talent in the Daicos brothers, Isaac Quaynor, Jordan De Goey and the rest of them is a statement of intent by Collingwood.<br \/>\nThe Pies are doubling down, and they\u2019re not even bothering with a fake safe.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re telling the league what they\u2019ll do.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re just betting that with their age and experience, they can drop in established players, give them defined roles and keep the train rolling.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it will work, I have no idea. It\u2019s dangerous, as they found last year, to rely on older guys. They tend to get injured.<\/p>\n<p>But I love it anyway.<\/p>\n<p>The point of the AFL isn\u2019t to be good for as long as possible, it\u2019s to win at the highest level as much as possible. Collingwood has accepted that, and they\u2019ve gone all in on plugging gaps in an already talented list, secure in the knowledge that if they don\u2019t win it this year or next the bottom will probably fall out.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s one last job at Collingwood.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b><i>Like what you read from our hard-hitting columnist?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b><i>Follow\u00a0<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/guywholikesspo1\"><b><i>@Guywholikessport<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>\u00a0on Twitter or check out his\u00a0<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/guywholikessport.wixsite.com\/guywholikessport\"><b><i>FULL BLOG HERE\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Craig McRae and Scott Pendlebury are sitting in a bar, pondering what was in 2024 and what could be in 2025. Pendlebury\u2019s head is slouched on the bar, apparently watching the TV but his eyes are glazed over. McRae is nursing a Glenfiddich 21 that has been in his glass so long it no longer tastes like whiskey, it\u2019s just brown water. \u201cPerryman gives us bounce.\u201d McRae says as Pendlebury doesn\u2019t acknowledge him. McRae continues to fidget. \u201cThen Membrey gives us a forward. A bit of bounce and a forward should do it don\u2019t you think.\u201d No acknowledgement from Pendlebury&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":71159,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,8298,344],"tags":[29,9778,3311,1329,950,421,8260,3094],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-71157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","category-guywholikessport","category-sports","tag-afl","tag-afl-2025","tag-aussie-rules","tag-australian-rules","tag-collingwood","tag-collingwood-magpies","tag-guywholikessport","tag-opinion"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":null,"md_tip_date_end":null,"md_market_url":"","tip_date":"29\/01\/2025","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71157"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87809,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71157\/revisions\/87809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71157"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=71157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}