The fallout from the 2024 AFL season is set to be an intriguing one for reigning premiers Collingwood.
After a shock omission from this year's finals, the club announced the re-signings of veterans Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jeremy Howe and Will Hoskin-Elliott. This decision has come with some criticism, but newly appointed list boss Justin Leppitsch quashed any concerns, emphasising the veteran players' importance.
"All four are highly valued and play integral roles for our program both on and off the field," Lepitsch said.
"Their leadership and experience are invaluable to our environment and each of them plays a key role in educating and guiding our next generation of young talent."
Although leadership and education are important for the development of the younger players on a list, Collingwood must face the brutal reality that they have an ageing squad. Their latest re-signings are only a band-aid solution to a glaring issue that the club will face in the near future.
Collingwood statistically has the oldest list in the competition, with eleven players on the list aged over 30 in 2025: Pendlebury (37), Howe (35),ย Sidebottom (34), Mason Cox (34), Jamie Elliott (33), Brody Mihocek, Tom Mitchell, Hoskin-Elliott, Jack Crisp, (all 32), Dan McStay and Darcy Cameron (both 30).
The Magpies are still of the belief that they are in the premiership window for the near future and can contend with the top teams. However, many believe that the club is heading towards an inevitable mass exodus at the end of next season and must have a plan in place to navigate their way through a tough period that is looming after the departure of notable senior players.
The potential slide down the ladder is a likely scenario next season if poor long-term planning, particularly around list management, is in place.
For this year's draft Collingwood hold Picks 32, 48 and 50 as it stands currently. The club will not have a top 10 pick as they traded their first-round pick to Fremantle in exchange for Lachie Schultz last year.
Collingwood's board have doubled down on their word saying that they will continue their push towards further flag dominance by continuing to add to the squad at this year's trade table, with their recruitment ahead of last season proving to be a success with the additions of McStay, Mitchell, Bobby Hill, Oleg Markov and Billy Frampton which assisted in the club claiming its 16th premiership.
The 2024 season for the Magpies was a major disappointment, and now the club needs to look at the bigger picture to avoid a further fall from grace and hopefully retain a spot in future finals series.
Collingwood's emerging ranks have also faced criticism, with key draft selections from recent years struggling to match the desired levels and expectations, with superstar Nick Daicos the obvious anomaly.
The Magpies' youth are inexperienced, mostly due to constant changes at selection, injury and the preference of senior stalwarts. A large group of Collingwood youngsters gained experience at the top level in 2024, but many struggled to retain their spots in the best 23 each week.
The likes of Isaac Quaynor and Beau McCreery have been pivotal players at both ends of the field after strong instant starts in the black and white, but that trend has dried up a tough in recent seasons.
The lack of exposure and investment in the younger players from the teams VFL program has now put more pressure on players aged 26-30 to cover and ensure that the team is competitive in 2025.
Collingwood's premiership window may still be open, but with a list of ageing players and a number of inexperienced players, the window could close quickly with the departure of the household names who have played a major part in the team's success over the last decade.
