The 2024 season is turning into a write-off for the reigning premiers, while one flag contender is in “perfect shape” as the final stretch of the season commences. Plus, the key-position jackknife that has ‘reinvigorated’ an out-of-form finals fancy. Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 18, as well as the commentators for every Fox Footy game, in our ultimate weekly preview: : From 6.
30pm on Channel 504 with Garry Lyon, Jonthan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis, Cameron Mooney & Jon Ralph followed by Collingwood’s on-field problems in 2024 — where the reigning premiers just don’t look as dog hungry as last year — have been compounded by widespread injuries. Just as they’ve gotten players back, others have gone out in what has eventuated in a vicious cycle — resulting in an unsettled side with constant forced changes to the 23. A loss to Geelong would see the Pies’ already-dwindling finals hopes cop a big hit in what’s fast turning into a write-off season.
You can add Brody Mihocek (pectoral) and Jeremy Howe (hamstring awareness) to that list of casualties, with the latter being swung forward in recent weeks given how undermanned Collingwood has been in its forward. Triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown on Fox Footy expressed concerns with the ongoing injuries, particularly given they’ve largely been in the “one area of the ground”. Brown said: “Mihocek, (Dan) McStay, (Jamie) Elliott, (Mason) Cox and (Beau) McCreery won’t be there.