Why haven’t Collingwood been able to attract the game’s biggest names in recent years?
That’s the question being posed by Kane Cornes, who has questioned whether the Magpies really are the “destination club” they are billed as.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Why can’t Collingwood land AFL’s biggest names?
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Collingwood are among the richest and most powerful clubs in the competition, have arguably the biggest following of any sports club in Australia, play the most games at the MCG every year, and are rarely out of finals contention.
And yet, this year alone they’ve missed out on luring big-name free agents Ben King and Zak Butters, who both considered the Pies before opting to nominate other Melbourne clubs.
Granted, the Pies are expected to bring Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan in during the free agency period but, reflecting on their recent recruits, Cornes pondered why the AFL’s biggest club doesn’t attract more high-end talent.
“It’s a mystery why more players aren’t considering Collingwood, more guns,” he told The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.
During their pursuit of Butters half-way through the year, Magpies CEO Craig Kelly declared “we are a destination club”.
“We literally walk across the oval here (the MCG) to our facility, we’ve got an elite coach, we’ve got an elite program, we’ve got elite facilities — it’s just a great spot to come, so we know we’ll attract players,” he said at the time.
Since 2022, the Magpies have brought in Billy Frampton, Dan McStay, Bobby Hill, Tom Mitchell, Lachie Schultz, Dan Houston, Time Membrey, Harry Perryman and Jack Buller.
“I kind of agree what he’s saying,” Cornes responded on Tuesday.
“But this is the reality: so, you may be in for the big names, but other than Hogan and Neale, this is sort of where you’re at.
“They may think they’re a nice Crown Hotel in Perth, but really, they’re a motel in a seedy street of Melbourne. That’s where it’s landed.
“Of course, I’m a bit tongue-in-cheek, but there’s nothing on that list that is getting you super excited.”
Asked if Collingwood is a destination club, Cornes doubled down: “No, well, it should be. I would love to play for Collingwood. I couldn’t think of anything better than playing for Collingwood.
“So why are they not getting (the biggest names)?”
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos admitted the recruits they have had, haven’t always fitted seamlessly into the system.
“We’ve had recruits in the past that have had to adjust to our game style so we’ve got to ensure that we allow these players to thrive,” he told Nine.
Caroline Wilson asked: “Is he talking about Houston? Is he talking about Perryman? Schultz? Didn’t adjust to the game style?”
Collingwood premiership player Dale Thomas said there are a few factors at play.
“Well, I think probably in changing the way they played at their previous clubs to how they were expected to play at Collingwood,” he said.
“So, Dan Houston, for example, doesn’t have the excessive amount of possessions that he once had at Port Adelaide but he does a lot more defending.”
Wilson added: “And just remember, Zak Butters knocked back Collingwood a month before he knocked back Richmond. Extraordinary.”
