COLLINGWOOD is taking a glass-half-full approach to their near misses, entering the second half of the season bullish about their finals prospects.
The Magpies continue to be linked with moves for out-of-contract stars Zak Butters and Lachie Neale, whose playing futures at Port Adelaide and Brisbane respectively are up in the air.
On Tuesday, Magpie Harry Perryman joked that he would “definitely” get in the the ear of Butters about joining Collingwood next season if he’s given a tagging role on the star midfielder when they face the Power on Saturday night.
Pies star Josh Daicos said he was “not aware” of reports that his brother Nick is playing a role in trying to convince Butters to join the club.
“We’re always looking for ways to get better as a group and I’m sure that will take care of itself in the off-season,” Daicos said.
Daicos insists his teammates’ immediate focus is on turning around a campaign that hasn’t quite gone to plan so far.
Josh Daicos handballs under pressure from Elijah Tsatas during round seven, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images
Four losses by single-figure margins, plus a draw with Hawthorn, have left Collingwood (5-7-1) in 13th place following their mid-season bye.
But a clash with Butters’ Power at the MCG on Saturday night presents a chance for the Magpies to kick-start their finals push.
“We’re extremely optimistic as a group,” Daicos told reporters on Tuesday.
“Obviously a few results haven’t gone our way, but the way we went against top-four and top-six teams is extremely pleasing.
“A few of those close games we just haven’t been able to close it out, like King’s Birthday (against Melbourne), but the bye’s come at a good time.
“We’re looking forward to Port Adelaide and attacking the back-half of the year.”
Collingwood was kings of close finishes on their march to the 2023 premiership, but have lost tight games against Fremantle (six points), Sydney (six), the Western Bulldogs (four) and Melbourne (eight) this season.
Only one of their six games decided by less than 10 points has resulted in a win, against then-struggling Carlton in round six.
“We just haven’t won a lot of those close games,” Daicos said.
“We’ve been in them against really quality opposition and we’ve had a few big injuries in those games, which didn’t help.
“But we’ll do some work on our late-game scenarios and making sure we close out the game and get the outcome that we want.”
Three of Collingwood’s biggest stars – Jordan De Goey, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom – missed training through illness this week.
Tough defender Brayden Maynard is certain to miss out, facing an extended stint on the sidelines after dislocating his right shoulder in the last-start defeat to Melbourne.
“If it was up to him I’m sure he’d be playing,” Daicos said.
“He’s our warrior and our vice-captain, and he’s doing everything he can.
“There’s no timeline on his shoulder right now.”
