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Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/p>\n
HAVING remained a contender with its return to the top four, Collingwood has turned over some key squad pieces and will look to regenerate at this year\u2019s AFL Draft. Much of the Magpies\u2019 intake will revolve around where a bid lands for their leading Next Generation Academy (NGA) talent, Zac McCarthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n >> 100+ PROFILES: View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide<\/a><\/p>\n 2025 RECORD:\u00a04th H&A | 16-7 | 122.4% | Eliminated: Preliminary Finals FIRST PICK: Like many clubs among a compromised intake this year, Collingwood\u2019s first pick will almost certainly change positions come draft night. NGA prospect McCarthy is viewed by several recruiting teams as a genuine first rounder, but whether a bid lands that early remains to be seen.<\/p>\n The most likely scenario is that a club calls out his name between picks 25-35, with the raw and mobile tall projecting as the long-term key position fold Collingwood fans have been crying out for. Whether as a new-gen athletic ruck or utility at either end of the ground, his upside is considerable.<\/p>\n While not formally committed, Collingwood is prepared to match for McCarthy as early as night one, although will be hoping a bid comes somewhere in the 30s. That will give the Magpies more freedom to go on and make as many as four selections, while an early bid may restrict them to only two live picks.<\/p>\n REMAINING CROP: Collingwood has addressed the immediate need for key position depth by recruiting Jack Buller from the Swans, in light of trading out Brody Mihocek and delisting Mason Cox. The McCarthy coup will also aid that department in the long-term, meaning midfielders will likely be the target area.<\/p>\n With Tom Mitchell also among the delistings, perhaps a clean inside extractor is on the cards with Collingwood\u2019s second round pick. West Australian captain and MVP Fred Rodriguez<\/a> fits the bill as a hard-working onballer, as does prolific teammate Sam Swadling<\/a> \u2013 albeit more outside-leaning.<\/p>\n Perhaps, then, a player like Riley Onley<\/a> fits the bill. The Magpies got a good look at him during preseason and he offers a point of difference to someone like Ned Long, being that tall midfielder who is also athletic. Similarly, Richmond VFL star Harry Scott<\/a> is a readymade option in that mould.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t rule out diminutive running machine Jack Dalton<\/a> as another role-player for the engine room, either. Elsewhere, the Magpies are not shy on placing bids where they see fit, and Academy prospects like Kye Fincher<\/a> (St Kilda) and Koby Coulson<\/a> (Gold Coast) offer value as powerful midfielders. <\/p>\n
2025 PICKS:\u00a039, 45, 56, 61, 77
FUTURE PICKS:\u00a0\u201926 R1, \u201926 R2, \u201926 R4, SYD \u201926 R4 | \u201927 R1, \u201927 R2, \u201927 R3, \u201927 R4
ACADEMY\/FATHER-SON NOMINEES:\u00a0Zac McCarthy (NGA)<\/p>\n
Pick\u00a039<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Riley-Onley-VC-2025-AFL-U18s-1-1024x655.jpg\")
Riley Onley could add to the Magpies\u2019 on-ball brigade | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/p>\n
Picks 45, 56, 61, 77<\/p>\n