How do you see us shaping up compared to the same time last year? Things like the physical conditioning, fitness of the list, energy, hunger, pace, connectedness, skill and organisation.

What's your take. Are we going into season 2025 better prepared?

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/01/from-were-back-to-do-we-even-exist-ranking-the-level-of-torture-suffered-by-afls-fan-bases/#comments-section

I've been watching a lot of Swoop's videos on YouTube lately because he covers all the training. I'm not here to criticize his work, in fact I find it pretty informative, more than what the club has been feeding us lately.

I'm just genuinely curious if the club pays him to do what he does. He posted a video last year saying he was quitting his job so that he could do the YouTube channel full time. Fair play to him. However there are no video sponsors on his channel. My question is how is he able to do what he does full time and how could he afford a lot of the official merch that he wears? Just curious that's all.

I’ve seen certain membership types offer social club access but what else requirements or criteria do you need to follow to be in the social club?

Harry Perryman (12)

Contracted until: 2030 (unrestricted free agent)

Overview

Perryman joined Collingwood as a free agent following a mass exodus of players from GWS. Like many of the players that left, Perryman had many suitors with the main rival being Port Adelaide. While it was initially reported that Perryman was wooed by promises of midfield time, Justin Leppitsch has confirmed that he was mainly sought after for his versatility. On the field, Perryman rates strongly for his tackling.

Wil Parker (15)

Contracted until: 2025 (?)

Overview

Parker signed as a Category B rookie in February 2024, right before the season started. Formerly a cricket player, it has been suggested he could have been a first round pick in 2020 had he stayed with football. Parker remarkably debuted just three months after signing, and ended up with five AFL games to his name. Parker is an addition to the millions of running halfbacks we have, but there were enough hints to suggest he will be a player given a bit more time in the system.

Discussion points

1. Do you see Perryman being a new version of Will Hoskin-Elliott - that is, a bit of a Swiss Army knife player?
2. A six-year contract worth $900k/year. Overs based on Perryman's output to date or the new norm based on the new salary cap?
3. Perryman, as a leader of GWS, was fined for his involvement in its Wacky Wednesday party. What were your thoughts on this situation?
4. How did you assess Parker's first year in the AFL, including his early debut and overall performance?
5. Parker came from the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (up the fkn Canes). Do you follow this league, and if so who?
6. Who the hell spells Wil with one L anyway?

Anyone know if the team will be training on Saturday at all? We will be in Melbourne from Perth and be good to go see them train.

Lachie Schultz (8)

Contracted until: 2027 (unrestricted free agent)

Overview

Schultz was the sole recruit during the 2023 trade period for us, and ultimately came to us on a four-year deal (with a trigger for a fifth) at a cost of pick 34 in the 2023 draft and our 2024 first round pick. Schultz had a rollercoaster first year at the club, often attracting criticism from Pies fans online and copping a suspension when frustrations flared up on the field.

Will Hayes (39)

Contracted until: 2026

Overview

Hayes was our final selection in the 2024 draft, selected at pick 56. Small and fleet of foot, Hayes can play across the wing and as a small forward - the latter of which is important depth to have with the loss of Joe Richards and Harvey Harrison spending most of the year on the sidelines. Hayes has already attracted some attention in the pre-season with his ability to read the ball well, and shapes as the most AFL ready of the draftees.

Discussion points

1. Now that the full trade cost has been borne out, what did you make of the deal to get Schultz?
2. Do you think Schultz was unfairly maligned by the media and the public in 2024?
3. Is Schultz the very definition of the term "nuggety small forward?"
4. Another draftee, another question on if you think they'll debut this year?
5. Were there any players available around our picks in the 2024 draft that you wanted us to select, but we didn't?
6. How concerned are you by the news that our replacement for Derek Hine, Adam Shepard, will be departing the club?

Scott Pendlebury (10)

Contracted until: 2025 (unrestricted free agent)

Overview

Another standard year for Dependlebury. After a season or so mostly spent at halfback, Pendlebury was back in the middle for much 2024 given the extended absences of Mitchell and De Goey. His strong season kept him in good stead in the Copeland votes, finishing sixth overall (although this was his lowest finish since 2009). Pendles suffered a minor setback with a torn bicep tendon halfway through the year, but returned with heavy strapping to play out the season. He goes into 2025 equal fourth on the games played list, and could feasibly become outright second by the end of the year.

Tew Jiath (19)

Contracted until: 2025

Overview

Jiath was the final of our many debutants in 2024, coming in at R14 against North Melbourne for his sole game. He didn't have a particularly strong performance (to be expected), but showed there's enough to work with given his speed and tackling pressure. He has featured prominently in pre-season training material from the club and looms as an exciting prospect for a team in need of solid youth coming through the system.

Discussion points

1. Surely this isn't Pendlebury's last year right? SURELY he goes for the games record in 2026?
2. Do you think the club still relies too heavily on Pendlebury on game day given his age?
3. Pendlebury has spoken of his desire to be a senior coach. What other players in the league given you future coach vibes?
4. Were you surprised to see Jiath debut in his first year given his rawness?
5. How important is Jiath's signature this year? What are the immediate next steps he needs to take to ensure he doesn't end up the next in our growing list of delistings after the first contract?
6. Do you think the concerns raised in the media about our youth is overblown?

(Freo fan here) For some reason, I feel like the Pies will be alright for longer than people think.

The allure of everything the Pies offer will definitely bring in a few kids. Daicos seemingly getting better and better with no stopping, alongside being such a big club, and probably being the closest to that fabled 17th premiership, I don’t think the Pies will be around the mark for at least half a decade (unless some unforeseen circumstances happen)

Idk, maybe I’m reading it wrong. Most importantly, what do YOU guys think?

Just got an email saying that stadium staff will be conducting concession checks this year upon entry.

Will they actually be doing this?

Not the obvious win a flag…

But more if there’s a young player you hope gets more games, if there’s some older players you hope get managed throughout the year so we have a good mixture of getting games into youth and using our experience.

Any positional changes you hope happen?

A player you hope gets back to their best or someone you hope improves a lot?

Brayden Maynard (4)

Contracted until: 2025 (unrestricted free agent)

Overview

Like most players, Maynard's 2024 season didn't quite live up to the standards he had previously set for himself. It came out just before Christmas that during the season he had been managing a plantar fascia issue which goes some way towards explaining this. Maynard shapes as our most important re-signing of 2025 as an unrestricted free agent, and he has already caught the eye of opposition clubs with the revelation that North Melbourne offered significant money to him last year, which he knocked back.

Fin Macrae (18)

Contracted until: 2025

Overview

Macrae had all the hype of the entire Magpie Army behind him coming into 2024, partially driven by the likes of Fly himself with the amount he was being talked up. Unfortunately, this didn't quite pan out. Despite continued strong VFL form he only managed 9 AFL games, 3 of which he started as the sub. His performances at senior level were not particularly strong but for a 17 disposal, 3 goal game in R16 against West Coast. Mitch Cleary reported during the trade period that Macrae was exploring his options, but like many contracted inside mids who aren't A-graders, he had no bites.

Discussion points

1. Any concerns about Maynard not re-signing in 2025?
2. This is no doubt a biased question to ask here, but what do you make of the continued booing of Maynard during Melbourne games?
3. Maynard has often spoken of his desire to play midfield. Do you think the days of this being a possibility are in the past?
4. Why do you think Macrae couldn't live up to expectations in 2024? Do you think he will finally make the most of his opportunities in 2025?
5. Should Macrae explore a trade again, which club do you think he would be a good fit for and that he could realistically expect to play AFL consistently?
6. Macrae is entering his fifth season having played just 21 AFL games (most of which were as sub). What are some past or present Collingwood players that come to mind that spent too long on the list compared to their output?

My daughter found this at the beach today, just wondering if anyone has seen anything like it?

Hi All. Wanting to attend training tomorrow and wondering if anyone knew what is the best time to get there? Thanks!

Isaac Quaynor (3)

Contracted until: 2029 (restricted free agent)

Overview

There was a lot of expectation for Quaynor coming in to 2024 following a career-best year in 2023 (in which he made the All-Australian squad). Footage emerged on social media just days after the Grand Final of IQ back at it hard at the gym, and early in 2024 he signed a 5-year deal. Unfortunately the expectations never really came to fruition, with below average stats across the board. Quaynor was moved around in the second half the season, including to the wing and even as a small forward. He remains the beep test king at the club following this pre-season as he looks to bounce back in 2025.

Oscar Steene (21)

Contracted until: 2025

Overview

Steene was the first of our SSP signings in 2023 and based off a solid first year he was elevated to the senior list for 2024. He wouldn't get the chance to build on it though - a concussion in a VFL practice match sidelined him for three weeks, and on his return he ruptured a tendon in his toe. For whatever reason, his recovery was slow and he was late in returning to running and jumping which meant the entire 2024 season was a write-off. He has returned to full fitness now, however, and was awarded a one-year extension.

Discussion points

1. Why do you think Quaynor had such a down year in 2024 compared to his strong 2023?
2. What did you make of Quaynor's move to the wing and forward line late in 2024?
3. Quaynor was elevated to the leadership group in 2024. From the outside looking in, how do you assess his leadership skills, and do you expect any new faces in the group in 2025?
4. With Cox's age and contractual status, should the club begin giving Steene some senior game time to help boost our ruck depth skills?
5. While it's impossible to know this early, do you worry that Steene missing the entire 2024 season will hurt his development?
6. Steene developed a solid partnership in the VFL with Aiden Begg, who was the first to be delisted in 2024. Were you surprised Begg wasn't given more senior opportunities?