Collingwood stays undecided on whether or not to go for Nathan Murphy or Adelaide recruit Billy Frampton in opposition to Geelong, as thriller surrounds star Geelong Tom Hawkins’ availability for Friday’s opening-round showdown.
But Magpies coach Craig McRae is adamant their choice won’t be dictated by who Geelong names forward of the Friday evening conflict on the MCG.
McRae says the Magpies’ first selection line-up has largely been revealed of their pre-season video games in opposition to Carlton and Hawthorn, however 200cm former Adelaide Crow Frampton and Murphy featured in each fixtures.
”I believe most of our apply video games give away a little bit of a system,” he stated.
“Looking forward on Friday night, I’m not sure exactly what that looks like at the moment.
“There’s no decision made (on Murphy and Frampton yet).”
McRae says Geelong coach Chris Scott’s well-known choice antics means it could be unwise for the Magpies to react to what the Cats put down on paper.
“I know Chris; he’s one of the masters of the late withdrawal. He does it nearly every week,” he stated.
“We’ll just play what we need, what’s best for our system. Match ups will be match ups and we’ll back our players in.
“We’re pretty comfortable with whichever way that turns.”
Collingwood’s mixture of talls in its entrance half is settled, with Brody Mihocek, Dan McStay and the mixture of Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron, the coach says.
“I think we had a system last year where Darcy and Mason were a good mix …. 60 per cent of either in the ruck and a little bit forward, that worked for us, so I think we’ll start where we finished in that regard,” he stated.
The Magpies are busily making ready goalsneak Jack Ginnivan to be able to play as quickly as his suspension is lifted in spherical 3, McRae says.
“We’re pushing Jack really hard to be ready. The hungry kid that we want him to be, I’ve seen him on the track and that’s all we can ask.”
He says speedy 23-year-old recruit Joe Richards, a schoolteacher from Wangaratta, is pushing for a fairytale debut at some stage this season.
“He’s a great story for anyone who doesn’t get drafted at 18 or 19. We gave him a chance to come down into a full-time professional environment,” McRae says.
“I’m seeing more and more of what we like about Joe every week he’s here.
“We started him down back and then we moved him into his customary forward role. I think we’ll see the best of him in the coming weeks.”
Originally revealed as Collingwood not but locked in on line-up for Round 1 conflict with Geelong
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
