Craig McRae, the coach of Collingwood, had a serious attitude about it going into the 2024 AFL Trade and Free Agency period.
The Pies focused on two-time All-Australian Dan Houston, who was eager to return to Victoria, after acquiring former GWS utility Harry Perryman through free agency, beating out Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, and the Giants.
Despite having three years left on his contract, Houston made it obvious that he had no intention of rejoining the Power.
Given that John Noble was probably going to leave, McRae and his coaching staff saw a need across the half-back line.
Additionally, Justin Leppitsch, who is in his first year as the club’s list manager, acquired his man in a massive transaction involving three clubs and five players last Tuesday.
Collingwood made it clear that they are fully committed to winning a championship in 2025 by bidding farewell to Noble (Gold Coast), Joe Richards (Port Adelaide), and their future first-round choice.
In general, Pies supporters are pleased with their purchases, particularly if they bring them back to the summit of the mountain.
What do Perryman and Houston bring to Collingwood, then? With a new off-season strategy, their combination might enable the Magpies to regain their status as a premiership contender.First of all, they are proven talents with a wide range of jobs.
Due to injuries that hampered his selection at points during 2024, McRae had to rely largely on the Daicos brothers, Jack Crisp and Scott Pendlebury, in the absence of Tom Mitchell and Jordan De Goey.
Nick Daicos was pulled pillar to post despite being second in the Brownlow Medal; without him, it would have been a complete failure.
Perryman has been tagged for midfield minutes to help relieve some of the burden, and there is now a good distribution of elite quality.
Because of their stacked on-ball brigade, the former Giant was never flirted with through the center, instead being sent to either end of the field where Adam Kingsley and Leon Cameron needed him.
The Daicos brothers will have more options on gameday thanks to Perryman’s versatility, and the 129-gamer will be trusted more.
Furthermore, as a Mr. Fix It, the 26-year-old may be sent wherever McRae needs him.
Houston’s two All-Australian blazers demonstrate his instant improvement over Noble’s output.
Houston stated on SEN soon after the trade that “for me, I see my best footy as that high half-back.”
“I prefer to be a little higher (up the field) and more aggressive than other people.
“Compared to other coaches, Fly is a large one who enjoys moving players around onto the middle or onto a wing.
“I see my best footy at halfback, but if I go into the middle or on a wing so a Nick can go to halfback, then I’m happy to go to those other positions.”
The former Power defender will use his daring and piercing kick to break through the opposition’s structure, building on Collingwood’s desire to move the ball swiftly from the back half.
But McRae has already made it clear that his players must play a variety of positions, and moving Houston up the standings might enable Josh Daicos to return, as fans witnessed in 2024.
The Pies are set for another flag tilt, which was challenging because of injuries to important players in the previous season. This is pending the list’s full fitness.
However, bringing in genuine players who are at the top of their game not only raises the bar for training and standards off the field, but it also increases the bar for what Collingwood can accomplish on it.
Tim Membrey has been recognized as a need to strengthen the forward line, and McRae will continue to try to add one important defender. They have trailed Charlie Dean and Billy Frampton with varying degrees of success.
The Pies, however, have presented a compelling argument for the competition’s best blend in between the arcs.