The players that will shape Collingwood’s finals after stunning resurgence as AFL premiership threat

First-year coach Craig McRae has created an environment where players repeatedly deliver under pressure. The stats say that although Collingwood has won some close ones, its fourth-place finish was no accident.

The Pies secured a double chance but still have their doubters and will need all 22 hands on deck if they want a September to remember.

Here are their key men this finals campaign.

Backs

Statistically, Collingwood has the AFL’s best backline and it has held up all year. However, Geelong’s twin towers proved to be kryptonite in round 3. If the Pies can stop Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, a preliminary final beckons.

KEY PILLARS

Darcy Moore – Marking, spoiling, chasing down certain goals … yet somehow, he is still underrated. No All-Australian accolades but a man who has defined the Pies’ game style all year.

Biggest finals strength: Averages 5 Rebound 50 disposals per game (elite)

Jeremy Howe – His intercept marking has been matchwinning during Collingwood’s run of close victories. In a final, an intercept possession is like gold; particularly against the Cats.

Biggest finals strength: 2.5 intercept marks per game

Brayden Maynard – A well-deserved All-Australian nod. Built for finals footy.

Biggest finals strength: 14.8 pressure acts per game (elite)

COMETH THE HOUR

Nick Daicos – Has been given all the praise and deserves it; he is the best young player in the competition. Has all the talent and skill in the world, but his gut-running and defensive efforts fly under the radar.

Biggest finals strength: 19.7 effective disposals per game (elite)

Mids

An honest midfield, with a healthy balance of experience and youth. Without Brodie Grundy, the Pies have been lacking at the centre bounce. Adding Taylor Adams back into the mix should help them at every contest.

KEY PILLARS

Jack Crisp – Started off the year like a house on fire but has been quieter in the back end of the season, mostly due to an ever-changing role. No need to panic though; his worst and his best games are not that far apart.

Biggest finals strength: 443.4 metres gained per game (elite)

Steele Sidebottom – Mr Consistent. Has one of the best roles in footy but plays it in a way not many can. Previously a winner of the Gary Ayres Medal for the AFL’s best finals player. Teams should be wary of him throughout the big games.

Biggest finals strength: 3.8 intercept possessions per game

Scott Pendlebury – A well-deserved nod as the AFL’s best skipper, given he has made many sacrifices in his own game for the betterment of the team. Has spent a lot of time down back in 2022 but his manipulation of time and space will stand out most through the midfield in September.

Biggest finals strength: 76.5% disposal efficiency

COMETH THE HOUR

Josh Daicos – Nominated in the 40-man All-Australian squad, establishing him as one of the league’s best players. Doing it at the business end of the season is the next step from here and clearly, it’s in the genes.

Biggest finals strength: 411.3 metres gained per game (elite)

Jordan De Goey – Probably has the highest ceiling of any Collingwood player. Has the potential to be the player of the finals if he can impact centre bounces and the scoreboard. De Goey is a big-game player and at this point, is fit and healthy. After another tumultuous season, the stage is set for him to tear apart finals foes and demand big bucks next year.

Biggest finals strength: 2.6 centre clearances per game (elite)

Forwards

Probably the one area where the Pies have been inconsistent, though that has partly worked in their favour. They’ve relied on different players to step up each week, with chaos entries inside 50 keeping their opposition guessing.

KEY PILLARS

Brody Mihocek – As McRae put it, he’s “a battering ram”; though by his standards, Mihocek has probably been off the pace in recent weeks. Would not surprise if he is carrying an injury but if fit enough, he’d be one of McRae’s first picked.

Biggest finals strength: 3.8 shots at goal per game

Beau McCreery – Underrated, though within the four walls of Collingwood, you’d imagine he’s indispensable. The type of player you love having on your team and hate playing against, especially in September.

Biggest finals strength: 4.1 tackles per game (elite)

Jamie Elliott – Has won multiple games of his own boot in 2022 but it’s his pressure inside forward 50 that makes him a key pillar. Set for a big finals campaign and deserves every bit of success that comes his way.

Biggest finals strength: 20.3 pressure acts per game (elite)

COMETH THE HOUR

Jack Ginnivan – There’s not an AFL fan around without an opinion on the youngster; his antics against Geelong put him in the news and he hasn’t left since. Despite all the drama, he’s proven himself; but can he handle the September heat?

Biggest finals strength: 1.8 goals per game

Ashley Johnson – Debuted later in the season but watching that game, it was fast apparent that it would be impossible to take him out of the team. Great hands and a deadly kick, he has earned his spot. A factor in the finals and probably the next decade for the Pies.

Biggest finals strength: 65% goal accuracy

Rucks

When Brodie Grundy went down, Pies fans feared the worst. So far, they’ve survived. Can they hold up in September?

KEY PILLAR
Darcy Cameron – Has always had the ability, just needed the opportunity. Grundy went down and Cameron stepped up in a major way. Would have benefited from the bye, as a huge September looms.

Biggest finals strength: 3.2 tackles per game

COMETH THE HOUR

Mason Cox – Has been huge in some crucial moments this season, with consistency his only downfall. Cox has the potential to be a matchwinner and has proven himself on the biggest of stages before. Can lightning strike twice?

Biggest finals strength: Inciting a ‘USA’ chant throughout the MCG