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PIES \u2018NOT IN CONTENTION\u2019 AHEAD OF \u2018BIG\u2019 LIST CALLS<\/p>\n
An AFL Hall of Famer thinks Collingwood is no longer a premiership contender, regardless of whether it adds Lachie Neale, ahead of \u201cbig decisions\u201d on several veterans. <\/p>\n
The 5-7-1 Magpies have dropped three straight games to tumble down to 13th ahead of a must-win clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s concerns with their forward line and midfield firepower next to Nick Daicos.<\/p>\n
And once the kings of the clutch now have just one win from their five games decided by six points or less in 2026. Which excludes an eight-point loss to Melbourne on King\u2019s Birthday. <\/p>\n
Craig McRae\u2019s side should be well rested after its bye. But it\u2019s without key cornerstones at either end of the ground in Jamie Elliott (ACL) and Darcy Moore (hamstring). <\/p>\n
And Brayden Maynard\u2019s surprise bid to play a fortnight on from twice dislocating his shoulder will fall short, despite avoiding season-ending surgery. <\/p>\n
Collingwood will need to tie consecutive wins together just to make the Wildcard from here in a friendly part of its fixture with clashes against Port (MCG), Richmond (MCG), Gold Coast (People First Stadium), North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium) and Carlton (MCG) ahead.<\/p>\n
Pies keep belief in finals charge | 01:26<\/p>\n
And while Demons great Garry Lyon \u201cadmires\u201d the Magpies and \u201cthinks they\u2019re really honest,\u201d he said they\u2019re a \u201cfair way off it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe narrative is, \u2018if only we\u2019d won a couple of those (close) games\u2019. That\u2019s a bit desperate, but that\u2019s OK, you\u2019re convincing yourself. Then you see Maynard pushing hard (to play), there\u2019s a bit of desperation in that as well,\u201d Lyon said on Fox Footy\u2019s AFL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I haven\u2019t got them in contention, I\u2019ve been solid on that for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes with club champions Scott Pendlebury (38 years old), Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom (both 35) due to come out of contract in delicate list calls that are \u201cmost interesting\u201d to Lyon in the back-half of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the soul and hard core if this football club. Can they go around again?,\u201d he posed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they do, then we get to this stage next year and they\u2019re another 12 months older. And you know what happens in the back part of your career.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t got them contending, and I\u2019m happy to be proven wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I look at it and see (forwards) Dan McStay, Tim Membrey, Charlie West, Jack Buller, Mitch Podhajski \u2014 that doesn\u2019t scream finals to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know they\u2019ve got some good players in the middle, but they\u2019ve got decisions to make.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collingwood has emerged as a likely landing spot for dual Brownlow Medallist Neale in free agency, with reports of a three-year deal worth as much as $3 million in total. <\/p>\n
Lyon \u201cwouldn\u2019t leave\u201d reigning back-to-back premier Brisbane, if he was Neale. <\/p>\n
Lyon on BIG decision for Lachie Neale | 04:58<\/p>\n
But the Australian Football Hall of Famer understood the financial pull for the 33-year old and a move that could provide Daicos a star running partner. Even if only short term.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand if it\u2019s financial security he wants, then going to Collingwood makes sense,\u201d Lyon added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want footy success, you stay at Brisbane with the group you\u2019ve been with that have delivered you a couple of premierships and who\u2019s young players are going to get better and better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know the personal circumstances\u2026 but I don\u2019t think you\u2019re going there to win premierships.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will go and help them, he and Nick in the middle would be a formidable operation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley, meanwhile, was \u201cinterested in the idea\u201d that they have to try and immediately push back into flag contention because of Daicos.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder if that\u2019s the wrong way around,\u201d Whateley flagged.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have to put a list together which is more than a running mate for Nick Daicos.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe forward line is clearly the area that needs to be addressed. And they have to get some young talent in the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want ready-made players, which I totally understand. I do not believe in bottoming out, I think there are so many cautionary tales \u2026 you wouldn\u2019t go anywhere near that.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there is a balance there and they\u2019re the wrong side of the balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whateley also endorsed the prospect of getting Neale for nothing, at least from a trade sense, as an unrestricted free agent. <\/p>\n
But it\u2019s more a short-term fix and still mightn\u2019t instantly make Collingwood a contender again.<\/p>\n
Pies multi-million dollar Neale gamble | 07:15<\/p>\n
Nor would it help the club\u2019s need to replenish its list with more young talent. And the ability to do that could be compromised beyond 2026, with future drafts set to be dominated by Tasmania.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can overpay Lachie Neale, because he doesn\u2019t cost you any draft capital. I reckon the clever clubs run the equation, you can pay about 25 per cent more for that player, because it doesn\u2019t cost you anything,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut that\u2019s a bit of a patch up job. It might make Nick more comfortable, but that doesn\u2019t resolve any of the issues about getting back into contention. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a world in which they finish this season in 13th place, where they are now, just honest as the day is long. They\u2019ve got to be more than that.\u201d <\/p>\n
Lyon responded: \u201cYou can\u2019t be bloody minded about it either.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the really hard part about it, when you\u2019ve got those names coming to the end of the most celebrated careers. I suspect a couple of them are going to have to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re making decisions for the good of the football club. Maybe in the short term, if you keep them, they might be more competitive. But you\u2019ve to look beyond that, knowing full well what\u2019s coming from a Tassie point of view.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a real delicate one for the Pies \u2026 they\u2019ve got some big decisions.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pies eyeing up big offer for Neale | 02:18<\/p>\n
DEES \u2018DEFINING FORTNIGHT\u2019\u2026 AND WHY THERE\u2019S HOPE THEY CAN CLAIM A SCALP<\/p>\n
Melbourne faces a \u201cdefining fortnight ahead\u201d that could dictate its final fate.<\/p>\n
Steven King\u2019s fourth-placed side faces Adelaide (sixth) and Hawthorn (fifth) in the next two weeks in good old fashioned eight-point games that will have a big say on the make-up of the top 10. <\/p>\n
The Demons have made the MCG a fortress with an unbeaten 8-0 record at the venue in 2026.<\/p>\n
But they\u2019re 1-5 away from the \u2018G including 1-2 against top six sides \u2014 the least amount of games against top six teams in the competition \u2014 and 8-3 against bottom 12 teams. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a defining fortnight for the destiny of the Dees\u2019 season coming up in the next two weeks,\u201d Saints great Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack: Preview.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey take on Adelaide then Hawthorn, the two teams breathing down their neck.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve done a terrific job, they\u2019re one of the stories of the season.
\u201cBut the next two weeks are going to shape whether they are a team that are going to finish in the top six and have a home final at the MCG. Whether they miss the top six and are a wildcard team. Or whether, if they can win both of those games, they finish top four and all if a sudden we may be talking about them as being a premiership chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
King has installed a scintillating attacking brand with \u201csizzle\u201d and \u201cflare\u201d that\u2019s made Melbourne one of the most watchable sides in the league. <\/p>\n
Max Gawn of the Demons leads his team up the race. Picture: Michael Willson\/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
But the Demons have leaked scores the other way including giving up 100 points in five of their first eight games.<\/p>\n
However, a reason to be bullish that Melbourne can rise to the occasion against fellow finalists is its defensive improvements in a number of key metrics over the last couple of months.<\/p>\n
From Opening Round to Round 6, they were ranked among the bottom five clubs in points against, score inside 50 against, chain to score against, defensive 50 to inside 50 against, halfback to inside 50 against and post clearance ground ball. <\/p>\n
Since then, the Dees have ranked seventh, fifth, fifth, ninth, second and fifth respectively in each category.<\/p>\n
\u201cSteven King gave them a license (to attack), but there was always question marks about their substance defensively. But over the last eight weeks you can see those numbers are improving dramatically,\u201d Montagna continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir ability to defend behind the ball, to give themselves some shape, so they can stick attack off turnover, but be set.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something Steven King has added to their game as the season has gone on. And why I think they should be confident in the next two weeks, taking on really good opposition.<\/p>\n
Dees remain undefeated at the MCG | 02:36<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a defining fortnight that will determine how far the Demons go in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to see because I think they\u2019re ready and are up for the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018ON THE CUSP, OR MEDIOCRE\u2019: GREAT PERPLEXED BY SUNS AS CURIOUS DROP OFF LAID BARE<\/p>\n
In line with the name of this story, Gold Coast has come firmly under the blowtorch this week.<\/p>\n
And even premiership coach Adam Simpson can\u2019t get a good handle on Damien Hardwick\u2019s side, questioning if it\u2019s \u201con the cusp or just mediocre.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Suns were widely considered one of the flag frontrunners this season after adding Christian Petracca to an already star-studded list. <\/p>\n
And while Gold Coast\u2019s 7-6 record if far from a disaster, it\u2019s simply not quite living up to the heights expected including a three-game losing streak and more trade rumblings around stars in a feeling of a deja vu. <\/p>\n
Granted, the Suns, coming off their first ever finals win last year, are trying to make arguably the hardest leap in footy. From a good, finals calibre side, to a bona fide contender that can win it all.
Simpson simply \u201cisn\u2019t sure where they\u2019re at\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current reality of the situation is, they played finals last year, (but) that doesn\u2019t guarantee you anything,\u201d he said on Fox Footy\u2019s AFL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cStart of the year, premiership favourites. They get Petracca up there and away they go. They had that first win against Geelong, and since then, they haven\u2019t really fired a shot. <\/p>\n
Lyon: Suns an “all duck no dinner team” | 02:13<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve beaten a few teams they should beat and the rest has been pretty mundane.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is their current reality? Is there pressure up there? When you get to training, is the camera crew at the front? Are there supporters and unrest up there? Or is it just the pressure we put on them from our media point of view?<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all thing \u2018Dimma\u2019 and the club are dealing with.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not quite if they\u2019re on the cusp, or just mediocre.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the most perplexing parts of their season is the diminishing midfield returns, despite the addition of four-time All-Australian Petracca to a star-studded crop.<\/p>\n
Rated among the best clearance sides last year, the Suns have ranked No. 18 in clearance differential and No. 13 in points from clearance differential since Round 7. <\/p>\n
So, why is that happening? <\/p>\n
For one, reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell has been in and out of the side through injury and still getting up to speed.<\/p>\n
Simpson also argued the new ruck rules haven\u2019t helped Jarrod Witts, who was dropped last week, and suggested their star-studded midfield lacked a defensive presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ruck rule is one of them, I suppose. It was debatable last year whether (Witts) should be an All-Australian ruckman and Dimma was campaigning for it,\u201d Simpson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re missing a Josh Dunkley, who can go in and be tough and hard for the rest of the boys.<\/p>\n
Hardwick hits back at trade speculation | 01:43<\/p>\n
\u201cIntercept possessions in the midfield, for example, they\u2019d be last in the competition. Are they working hard to get the ball off the opposition? I value that stat.<\/p>\n
\u201cPetracca has (averaged 25.3 disposals and 1.6 goals). Which is fine, that\u2019s all good. But you need someone there to do the grunt work.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps that\u2019s what they need. Looking from afar, it feels like they\u2019re not quite there in that space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a Geelong has an Tom Atkins in there. (Geelong) had 16 (intercept possessions) last week to (Gold Coast\u2019s) eight. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo, there\u2019s a few things Dimma can tweak. But I don\u2019t think it\u2019s just fixate on that we\u2019re all, either, I think there\u2019s a few other things there.\u201d<\/p>\n
STAR\u2019S \u2018PUTRID\u2019 FLAW THAT NEEDS FIXING\u2026 BUT EVEN THE BEST OF THE BEST HAVE HAD IT<\/p>\n
Regarded as one of the league\u2019s sharper shooters heading into 2026, the goalposts have seemingly moved for West Coast\u2019s Jake Waterman this year.<\/p>\n
On face value, it reads an incredibly harsh assessment of a player who is one of very few players left to have kicked a major in every match so far this year; not to mention eight instances where he\u2019s kicked three or more goals.<\/p>\n
But unfortunately, the 28-year-old\u2019s woes were front and centre of his side\u2019s heartbreaking one-point loss to North Melbourne last Saturday, where with 45 seconds to play, Waterman missed the final shot of the match from a favourable distance directly in front of goal.<\/p>\n
His returns show 9.8 in the last three matches, and a total of 31.37 this year. The key forward stands alone in the league for score involvements (111), and is tied equal-first for shots at goal (75) with reigning Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only way this happens, is when your mind gets involved \u2026 he has shown that he is a very good kick at goal, so this is a psychological challenge (and) mindset issue,\u201d Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy\u2019s On The Couch on Monday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worst thing you can possibly do is have 10 different people with 10 different bits of information. <\/p>\n
Waterman post hit kills epic comeback | 00:23<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you miss a goal that\u2019s cost your team a win ultimately; he wouldn\u2019t feel any lower than he feels now \u2026 he\u2019ll have one person in the club that he will continue to work with through this next month \u2013 no one else is allowed to speak to Jake about his goalkicking.\u201d<\/p>\n
His inaccuracy in front of goal comes less than two years after earning his maiden All-Australian blazer in 2024, in a season which saw him kick 53.23 from 20 games \u2014 despite the Eagles winning just five games that year.<\/p>\n
But, as three-time Brisbane premiership player Jonathan Brown suggested, the temporary woes come for even the best of the best, which should give Waterman hope he can quickly turn his form around.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a player that\u2019s experienced that (yips), maybe not for as long as Jake\u2019s experienced it, but I had 0.7 in a game against Essendon one day. I couldn\u2019t hit my foot by the end of the game,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n
Three-time Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt added: \u201cHis ball drop is putrid at the moment \u2026 I might have had a fortnight of it (across my career).\u201d<\/p>\n
FOX FOOTY COMMENTATORS FOR ROUND 15 FIXTURE (All times AEST)<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE v GEELONG CATS<\/p>\n
Thursday June 18, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall and Leigh Montagna, with commentary from Matt Hill, Mark Howard, David King, Jack Riewoldt, Kath Loughnan, Tom Hawkins, Will Schofield and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
GOLD COAST SUNS v HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
Friday June 19, 7:40pm at People First Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Garry Lyon, Leigh Matthews, Alastair Lynch, Jordan Lewis\ufeff and Jon Ralph.<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE CROWS v MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Saturday June 20, 1:15pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Leigh Montagna, Mark Ricciuto, Ken Hinkley, Shaun Burgoyne and Kelli Underwood.<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS v CARLTON<\/p>\n
Saturday June 20, 4:15pm at ENGIE Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Dwayne Russell, Garry Lyon, Jordan Lewis, Alastair Lynch and Jay Clark.<\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
Saturday June 20, 7:35pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7:15pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Mark Howard, Jack Riewoldt, David King, Eddie Betts, Kath Loughnan and Jay Clark.<\/p>\n
RICHMOND v NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Sunday June 21, 1:10pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12:30pm on Channel 504, with commentary from Corbin Middlemas, Jess Webster, Cameron Mooney, Ben Dixon, Ruby Schleicher and David Zita.<\/p>\n
ST KILDA v WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
Sunday June 21, 3:15pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 3pm on Channel 503 and 504 (from 4pm), with commentary from Matt Hill, Dwayne Russell, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo, Sarah Jones and David Zita.<\/p>\n
BYES: Brisbane Lions, Essendon, Sydney Swans, West Coast Eagles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Collingwood\u2019s flag \u201cdesperation\u201d has been laid bare\u2026 but its Lachie Neale pursuit has been approved. Plus a Dee-fining…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":743266,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-743265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/743265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=743265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/743265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/743266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=743265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=743265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=743265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}