{"id":392277,"date":"2026-01-05T02:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T02:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/392277\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T02:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T02:53:11","slug":"selecting-every-afl-teams-best-23-for-2026-collingwood-magpies-afl-news-zero-hanger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/392277\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting every AFL team\u2019s best 23 for 2026: Collingwood Magpies – AFL News – Zero Hanger"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Questions over Collingwood’s list have continued since the club’s preliminary final defeat, with concerns surrounding the club’s emerging talent having been constant.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Magpies will carry the oldest list into the league once again, but the gap to the next most experienced side has significantly shortened after a host of veterans left Olympic Park.<\/p>\n

Some minor tweaks via the trade and draft periods have strengthened some clear list needs, but the club couldn’t secure the experienced quality midfielder it was chasing.<\/p>\n

With the Magpies looking to uncover their next wave of talent while still relying on their most senior figures, we take a look at what Collingwood’s best 23 for 2026 might look like…<\/p>\n

Midfielders<\/p>\n

A key area that will help propel the Magpies in 2026 is how Craig McRae<\/a> supports Nick Daicos<\/a> in midfield.<\/p>\n

The Collingwood star’s ability to turn a game is undeniable, but those around him have often been limited, be that through form, fitness or role.<\/p>\n

The Magpies attempted to add to their engine room options over the off-season but fell short in their pursuits, leaving them with the same personnel as last year.<\/p>\n

Ned Long<\/a> emerged as a big-bodied inside midfielder who aided Daicos’ ability in the middle, but his type of role might not suit where the current game is heading.<\/p>\n

That trend is likely to see the quicker and more explosive midfielders come to the fore, with Jack Crisp<\/a> and Jordan De Goey<\/a> both still solid options who can roll through the middle while splitting their time in other thirds of the field.<\/p>\n

The same can be said for Dan Houston, Josh Daicos<\/a>, Patrick Lipinski<\/a> and Harry Perryman<\/a>, while Scott Pendlebury<\/a> is also a chance of flirting with a role at half-back.<\/p>\n

\"MELBOURNE,MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 01: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies competes during a Collingwood Magpies training session at Olympic Park on December 01, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The pre-season so far has seen Isaac Quaynor<\/a> training with the midfielders, with a move up the field potentially on the cards.<\/p>\n

Steele Sidebottom<\/a> might return to a pure wing role to allow the likes of Ed Allan and Lachie Sullivan<\/a> more minutes on the inside, while Roan Steele<\/a> has shown promise as an outside runner and could slot onto the opposing wing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One Magpie to keep an eye on is mature-aged draftee Angus Anderson<\/a>, who joins Collingwood after a stellar season with Sturt in the SANFL as a versatile midfield talent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The ruck situation is fairly clear, with reigning best and fairest winner Darcy Cameron<\/a> continuing his reign as the No.1 tall, however the Magpies will be buoyed by the recent development of Oscar Steene<\/a> and Iliro Smit<\/a> as reinforcements.<\/p>\n


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