3 minute read

Penpix of Collingwood's team for the AFL grand final against Brisbane.

PENPIX OF COLLINGWOOD'S TEAM FOR THE AFL GRAND FINAL.

BACK LINE

28. Nathan Murphy

Age: 22. Games: 56. Goals: 1. Finals: 5.

The shut-down specialist averages almost four marks a game and revels in his weekly task of minding a dangerous tall forward.

30. Darcy Moore

Age: 27. Games: 149. Goals: 67. Finals: 9.

Arguably the greatest defensive intercept marker in the game, the captain inspires with dash and boasts innate spoiling ability.

38. Jeremy Howe

Age: 33. Games: 232. Goals: 98. Finals: 11.

Universally admired for his rare high marking talent, the stalwart offers a cool head and a versatile option in the backline

HALF-BACK LINE

4. Brayden Maynard

Age: 27. Games: 185. Goals: 17. Finals: 13.

Relishes his villain role and loves a scrap, but also a fine defender who can play on either tall or small opponents.

17. Billy Frampton

Age: 26: Games: 39. Goals: 19. Finals: 0.

Will play his first final in a premiership decider, discarded by Port Adelaide and then Adelaide, adds key position depth in a variety of positions.

3. Isaac Quaynor

Age: 23. Games: 84. Goals: 3. Finals: 7.

Basking in a breakout season when rarely beaten one-on-one, has become one of the best backmen in the league with running and marking power.

CENTRE LINE

22. Steele Sidebottom

Age: 32. Games: 308. Goals: 189. Finals: 25.

In the debate for smartest player in the comp, creative and influential in both finals wins and rarely fails to deliver on the big stage.

10. Scott Pendlebury

Age: 35. Games: 382. Goals: 193. Finals: 30.

Calm, calculating and still collecting 23 disposals a game, the veteran's nous is now being deployed at halfback as well as midfield.

37. Oleg Markov

Age: 27. Games: 73. Goals: 6. Finals: 2.

Discarded by Richmond and Gold Coast, has slotted seamlessly in defence with bursts of speed on the rebound a feature.

HALF-FORWARD LINE

23. Bobby Hill

Age: 23. Games: 64. Goals: 63. Finals: 4.

After four years at GWS is putting together his best season, 29 goals, and working up and down the ground at breakneck speed.

41. Brody Mihocek

Age: 30. Games: 125. Goals: 211. Finals: 13.

Sticky-fingered marking makes him a constant threat who plays taller than his 192cm, attack workhorse with a reliable set-shot at goal.

5. Jamie Elliott

Age: 31. Games: 178. Goals: 266. Finals: 12.

Ever-present attacking threat in the air and on the ground, demands constant attention despite just only one goal this finals series.

FORWARD LINE

31. Beau McCreery

Age: 22. Games: 59. Goals: 42. Finals: 5.

The gold-standard for mid-sized pressure forwards, possesses a sharp turn of pace and a insatiable desire for tackling and harassing.

2. Jordan De Goey

Age: 27. Games: 157. Goals: 189. Finals: 23.

Dynamic on-baller has buckled down with career-high 24.2 disposals a game, enters the decider after an explosive best-afield preliminary final.

7. Josh Daicos

Age: 24. Games: 102. Goals: 57. Finals: 7.

All Australian winger with speed, skill and footy intelligence, has been down on his career-best 25.3 touches a game in both finals.

FOLLOWERS

46. Mason Cox

Age: 32. Games: 112. Goals: 117. Finals: 11.

The American looms large at 211cm and has developed marking prowess in attack to accompany his role as second ruck.

35. Nick Daicos

Age: 20. Games: 46. Goals: 25. Finals: 4.

Boasting all the tricks, the brilliant playmaker is the creative force behind much of the Magpies' midfield drive.

25. Jack Crisp

Age: 29. Games: 225. Goals. 71. Finals: 13.

A midfield force with a booming left-foot, the stalwart can be deployed as an offensive or defensive weapon around the stoppages.

INTERCHANGE

6. Tom Mitchell

Age: 30. Games: 196. Goals: 83. Finals: 12.

Brownlow medallist basking under the packs in his first year at Collingwood, averages five clearances and 25 disposals a game.

14. Darcy Cameron

Age: 28. Games: 71. Goals: 51. Finals: 7.

Taken the No.1 ruck mantle with aplomb, averaging career-high hit-outs (26.2) and disposals (13.2) and a marking target around the ground.

32. Will Hoskin-Elliott

Age: 30. Games: 203. Goals: 169. Finals: 13.

High importance yet still largely unheralded in his 12th season, the linkman can't be underestimated in a roaming role from defence to attack.

33. Jack Ginnivan

Age: 20. Games: 41. Goals: 58. Finals: 5.

Regaining faith after an off-season drugs ban, the polarising forward with uncanny goal sense must be closely watched in attack.

SUBSTITUTE

1. Patrick Lipinski

Age: 25. Games: 94. Goals: 44. Finals: 7.

Highly valued for his versatility, can be deployed as a high half-forward, winger or midfielder.

EMERGENCIES

9. John Noble

Age: 26. Games: 92. Goals: 7. Finals: 7.

A hard-luck story, played 23 games straight then was dropped for the finals.

18. Finlay Macrae.

Age: 21. Games: 12. Goals: 1. Finals: 0.

Played just one game this season, in round 12, and a dozen in three years.

36. Harvey Harrison

Age: 19. Games: 4. Goals: 3. Finals: 0.

The South Australian is a versatile forward who featured in four consecutive games, the most recent in round 16.