Drafting hasn’t been Collingwood’s strong suit for some time, and it’s been made clear by coach Craig McRae that the club is prioritising ‘players over picks’.

Nevertheless, the draft can be a difference maker for clubs contending at the top, and the Magpies, who will carry one of the older lists into the league next year, will want to find some diamonds in the rough.

While Collingwood hold a handful of later selections for this year’s count, they do have some promising club-tied options in 2025.

Here we assess the Magpies’ draft hand, list needs and potential targets for the AFL Draft.

Draft Hand

Picks: 39, 45, 56, 61, 77 (407 Points)

Having traded away their first-round pick last year, Collingwood won’t be on the clock until late into the second round of the draft.

Trades in the recent exchange period netted them Picks 45, 56 and 61, all of which will help their plans to match a bid for Next Generation Academy talent Zac McCarthy.

Picks 56 and 61 don’t currently have value in the draft points index, but they should move below the Pick 54 barrier by the time a bid does come, likely increasing the club’s current total of 407 points.

Father-son Tom McGuane will remain in mind despite the Magpies opting against a nomination, while NGA talent Jai Saxena is another to consider.

List Needs

Rearguard Reinforcement: A key defender for the future will be toward the top of the list of desired draftees for the Magpies, who don’t seem to have an incoming wave of tall backmen on their list. With Jeremy Howe potentially heading into his final season and captain Darcy Moore turning 30 in January, the next generation of defensive pillars need to be known soon. Reef McInnes will return from an ACL injury, but he remains an unknown commodity after a short stint in defence. Another tall defender who can one day step into a senior role will be an ideal list fit this draft window.

The Docker flying under the radar and the Magpie who could have a role change: The AFL players to watch for Round 9MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Jeremy Howe of the Magpies warms up during the 2024 AFL Round 01 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 15, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Key Forward Force: Collingwood’s key forward stocks have undergone several changes over the past few seasons, having welcomed Dan McStay, Tim Membrey and Jack Buller before bidding farewell to Mason Cox and Brody Mihocek. Membrey will be 32 next year, and McStay wasn’t part of the Magpies’ best side by the end of the recent season. Charlie West is the clear next-man-up, and it’s time Collingwood considers who joins him and Buller in the long-term picture.

Midfield Power: The Magpies made it clear they were keen to strengthen their engine room ensemble one way or another during the trade period. Missed moves for Clayton Oliver and Jy Simpkin did give an indication of the type of onballer the club is keen to add around Nick Daicos, that being an inside workhorse who can help decide a game when the match breaks open. A ball winner who can do the dirty work and provide some spark, potentially as a Jordan De Goey successor down the line, will be a great get if the ducks align for the Magpies.

Potential Targets

Zac McCarthy: The Magpies’ NGA talent has risen through the ranks this year to give himself a chance to be selected on night one of the draft. McCarthy, who stops the tape near the two-metre mark, is an aerial threat and relies on almost unmatched athleticism to be a difference maker in the front third. He kicked seven goals for Vic Metro – booting at least one goal in each of his four appearances – to be a constant threat forward. Exciting 199cm goalkickers don’t grow on trees, and Collingwood have first access to one.

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RANKZac McCarthyZac McCarthy
Oakleigh Chargers
Forward
HEIGHT: 199cmOakleigh Chargersâ–¶

Elliott Duffield: A prospect who flew under the radar in South Australia’s undefeated U18s National Championships run, Duffield impressed behind the ball with his rangy build, helping him both in the air and at ground level. What might separate Duffield from most other key defenders is his kicking, with the South Adelaide talent able to find the right target by boot, often after pulling in an intercept mark. At 193cm, Duffield can slot into a third tall option in defence, perhaps as a long-term replacement for the aforementioned Howe.

Jack Dalton: Given Collingwood’s draft hand and access to Zac McCarthy, the Magpies will have to play a waiting game for when they strike on the open pool of prospects. As far as midfielders go, Dalton packs a punch. His aggressive nature and drive have him positioned as a match-winner, which was also made evident by his Coate Talent League finals run. As a name who is likely to land somewhere on night two of the draft, Dalton could be a nice addition to the Magpies’ midfield mix.

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RANKJack DaltonJack Dalton
Sandringham Dragons
Midfielder
HEIGHT: 178cmSandringham Dragons