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G\u2019day to all; True Believers.<\/p>\n
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Hope you had a great Christmas \/ New Year, within the \u2018bad times\u2019 \u2013 that period between our last game of the previous Season and the first game of the new Season. I would routinely not include that Finals\u2019 game that we did not participate in. I would, however, include the practice matches of the new Season as they are a way of getting into \u2018the game\u2019. And this year, I\u2019d also include the State of Origin \u2013 more on that below. A minor aside \u2013 I received two birthday emails, in addition to the more usual family and friends calls, etc; one from my favourite Winery \u2013 \u2018Bests\u2019 at Great Western in Victoria and the other \u2013 from the Collingwood Football Club. Both, a huge surprise and much appreciated.<\/p>\n
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Firstly, a welcome. Denise & Geoff, welcome. Reportedly, identified while giving blood (thank you, Genevieve). I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve been advised this is just a bit of fun amongst \u2018family\u2019, which of course, is what Pies\u2019 supporters from hugely diverse backgrounds constitute. There are no right or wrong answers, but opinions, particularly differences, are most welcome. We look forward to your contributions as we head into the Season, out of the \u2018bad times\u2019 (as defined above).<\/p>\n
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A minor administrative issue. We had a couple of addresses \u2018bounce\u2019 last year. I think these were resolved. We are now close to 90 members; I\u2019d love to make it 100. Suggestions \/ nominations please?<\/p>\n
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Pre-Season games?<\/p>\n
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If you are going to any of these see my plea, below, regarding reporting.<\/p>\n
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The List:<\/p>\n
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Going, going gone. Okay, so Mihocek, Cox and Hoskin-Elliott each departed, plus a number of others, a few who in my view didn\u2019t get much of a chance to show what they could do; some due to injury. I hugely valued the contributions of Mihocek, every week, Cox, on those special occasions, and Hoskin-Elliott, consistently. And how do you farewell a Brownlow medalist? Quietly? I wish them all well, especially those retiring or heading to new Clubs. I still wish Noble well after his move a couple of years ago, except when we are playing The Suns. And I was disappointed we didn\u2019t pick-up McGuane as a Rookie.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m pretty comfortable with the List. It\u2019s not really too different to last year\u2019s, but there is always scope for improvement. Down Back, I considered we needed another key defender, highlighted by Howe\u2019s injury and absence and Moore\u2019s performances. We\u2019ve picked up Perryman. With Houston, overdue for better performances, we need to be seeking to man-up an opponents\u2019 key attacking avenue while concurrently freeing up Moore and Howe to play their intercept game. Up Forward, we\u2019ve added Buller. The question will be whether McStay is a regular up Forward \u2013 last year was not convincing though, of course, the potential is there. Of course, the attacking Smalls are a great group. Midfield? There\u2019s a wealth of talent. A couple of comments:<\/p>\n
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NickD is better with Allan beside him;
\nJoshD is hugely undervalued \u2013 key Midfield, key Defender;
\nCameron \u2013 needs supporting ruck; and
\nPendles is fantastic as an on-field marshall \u2013 use him in the Midfield or as a close Defender.<\/p>\n
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Coming \/ Here \/ Going \/ Gone? Go to www.afl.com.au\/news\/1461725\/what-you-missed-in-the-off-season<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n New players \u2013 Go to www.collingwoodfc.com.au\/news\/1946022\/the-new-players-you-should-know-about-in-2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Injuries? www.afl.com.au\/news\/1460795\/afl-pre-season-2026-fantasy-news-injuries-matches-role-changes-fixture-more<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Performances:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n What do we want to do better this year? How about some key aspects relating to the Game Plan (nothing new here):<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Application. Nothing is more important and Attitude is King. \u00a0<\/p>\n Our Aim?\u00a0Be happy. It\u2019s worth reinforcing \u2013 our team, yes, we are part of it, were incredibly dour during the OR game against GWS in Sydney last year (and the year before); same against Hawthorn more recently late in the Season. Everyone, players and supporters, need to get the smile back.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n External assessments:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Usual additions:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n TV: Go to www.afl.com.au\/broadcast-guide-premiership<\/a> or go to Kayo or Fox Footy, depending on your like \/ dislike of the commentators.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Weather: Critical. Glad we\u2019re not playing this week. The chance of rain on game day, or on the days beforehand, will determine how slippery the ball and the players will be. Go with the boots with \u2018stops\u2019.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ground Reports? If you are going to a game, even the practice matches, please send us all a Report? And if you are not going but watching it on TV, do the same, please? I\u2019d especially like to hear from other armchair warriors watching from afar?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Other:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I used to maintain an \u2018Eddie Watch\u2019 section but it\u2019s been a bit quiet on him, apart from his US College \u2018kicker\u2019 son and the other, a Football commentator. Anything from our Melbourne resident members?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friday, 27 February \u2013 \u2018Final Siren \u2013 Inside the AFL\u2019 \u2013 a 4-part series on Prime Video.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Anything else from anyone?\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Next:<\/p>\n As above, re practice matches. \u00a0<\/p>\n To see the sort of stuff we talk about, go to www.footyalmanac.com.au\/?s=cam+hooke<\/a>. It is reasonably extensive.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Welcome your thoughts and ideas? Please?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This is our year; still believe! Always believe; never, ever give up! Go Pies.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Cam<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n More from Cam Hooke\u2019s Collingwood Life can be read Here.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au<\/a>\u00a0 home page click HERE<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Do you enjoy the Almanac concept? \u00a0<\/p>\n Become an Almanac (annual) member \u2013 CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nTaggers. Tagging roles might be useful, particularly a specific tag on some key opponents and\/or a hard lock-down role on opposing attackers. And equally important, protecting our players? That should also be key.
\nMidfield Management. Pendles guidance \/ on-field coaching to the collective Midfield remains critical (as above).
\nPassing. Accuracy of passes by foot and hand is critical. Remember a misdirected pass, resulting in a turnover of the ball, passes possession to our opponent, immediately shifting control of the game to them. See later comment regarding kick-ins.
\nDrive. Drive out of the Backline is a key part of our game plan. Kick-ins are a key issue \u2013 we need to have a plan that everyone knows and are able to implement.
\nKicking into the 50. High kicks into the 50 to packs, that we seem to revert to on occasion, is not the best avenue to the Forwards (or out of our Backline) even with Cameron as a target. Much better avenues are lower, harder kicks to specific\u00a0targets, moving in different directions to confuse the defenders. The speed of high kicks also allowed defenders to intercept or, at the least disrupt, the passage of the ball.
\nKicking for Goal. This has on occasion been pretty awful. We need to exploit a dominance in Inside 50s by scoring goals. The players need to consider and apply a willingness to pass the ball inside the 50. The key players with the ability to kick the hard goal is laudable, but not always successful. Ball delivery needs to be to the best goal-kicking position.\u00a0Importantly, scoring a Behind is a waste \u2013 for 1 Point, you hand over ball-possession to the opposition. It\u2019s not worth it \u2013 get the ball into a better position.
\nTackles. Still a failing with some opponents spinning out of tackles or brushing off the tackler. This has been one of our strengths last Season; we need to get it back. Love the multiple tacklers.<\/p>\n
\nDoes anyone attend training? I\u2019d welcome some advice on that.
\nSeason 2026:
\nOR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sunday, 8 March; 7.20pm. St Kilda versus Collingwood at the MCG;
\nR1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saturday, 14 March; 7.35pm. Collingwood versus Adelaide at the MCG; and
\nR2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bye<\/p>\n
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