Collingwood coach Craig McRae is prone to revisit throwing Jeremy Howe ahead because the Magpies look to get again on the winners listing in a transfer that might put stress on underperforming huge man Mason Cox.
Howe booted three final-quarter targets in final week’s loss to Carlton’s after he was moved deep into the Magpies’ ahead 50 after underperforming Cox was subbed out.
While the tactical shift got here too late, it might be repeated towards Hawthorn on Saturday, doubtlessly leaving Cox on the outer.
Cox solely had three possessions final Friday and has kicked only a single objective in his previous 4 video games taking part in as a ruck ahead.
McRae defended Cox’s position within the aspect and admitted the Magpies wanted to evolve to stay on the high of the pack heading into finals.
The Collingwood coach mentioned he wished to attempt Howe as a ahead since his return from a horrific damaged arm in spherical 1, and the Magpies had been ready for the prospect to take advantage of the dearth of an apparent match-up for the spring-heeled veteran.
“Every game presents something different – we’ve had that in my mind for probably six weeks now, and you sort of wait for opportunities within the game to see if it presents,” McRae mentioned.
“There wasn’t a great match-up for Jeremy down back, so we thought it would be a good opportunity to see how it works.
“It’s something that we walk away from the game thinking if that’s an opportunity that presents again, we’ll go to that.”
Howe, 33, topped Melbourne’s goalkicking in 2013 with 28 however has by no means kicked greater than three in a season at Collingwood.
To accommodate a transfer ahead, McRae has the choice of bringing in Billy Frampton on the expense of Cox to play in defence and help Darcy Cameron within the ruck, however he steered Cox would maintain his spot.
“He’ll probably be the first to admit his last couple of weeks haven’t been his best for the year, but if you look at the whole season he’s had a terrific season,” he mentioned.
“We’ll see how the week progresses and try to get Mason playing as the best version of himself so it makes (selection) even harder for us.”
Bobby Hill missed the Blues’ conflict by way of sickness however would come straight again into the aspect if he made it by way of coaching as anticipated, McRae mentioned.
He mentioned the vitality at coaching had not been affected by the loss and the membership determined to enhance because the competitors tightens.
“Let’s not stand still – I want to keep growing in this role, and the players the same,” McRae mentioned.
Collingwood prolonged its sponsorship settlement with La Trobe Financial till the top of 2027 on Tuesday, which can convey their partnership to twenty years.
Source: www.news.com.au
