FORMER St Kilda defender Max Hudghton has joined Collingwood as a part-time defensive coach.
The 33-year-old, who missed out on playing in the grand final against Geelong, announced his retirement after 234 games at the Saints' post-grand final family day function.
Hudghton told the Magpies' website that he was excited by his new role.
"To be able to be involved in football to some extent and particularly to work with Mick (Malthouse) and the Collingwood Football Club will be a big change," Hudghton said.
"But it’s very exciting to be moving into a different environment, and move out of my comfort zone at St Kilda."
"St Kilda people are fantastic people, but this is very exciting for me."
Hudghton admitted he hadn't thought about getting into coaching before the Pies approached him as he was focused on his construction business but said the opportunity was too good to refuse.
“I just thought it was a really good role, to get involved with some of the young Collingwood defenders and influence their development," he said.
“I’m aware of the players I’ll be working with and I’ve got a lot of respect for the way they play. Hopefully I can help them out in a really positive way, and be a source of knowledge if they want to tap into it.”
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse believes Hudghton will be an excellent resource for the club's young defenders.
“Max has played terrific football against all the key tall forwards in his career and has vast knowledge of them,” Malthouse said.
“As he demonstrated to us, he’s able to articulate the way he played, and that’s important if you’re going to be a teacher."
“Through the conversations we’ve had with Max, I’ve been able to establish that he knows his trade, and he’s quite prepared and capable of passing his knowledge onto young players.”
Hudghton replaces Mark Neeld who will be the club's midfield coach while Paul Hudson moves from forwards to opposition and Nathan Buckley will be in charge of the forwards in his first year as an assistant.
Meanwhile, the Magpies announced that ruckman Chris Bryan, midfielder Danny Stanley and rookie-listed players Toby Thoolen, Johnny Bennell and Kevin Dyas were delisted.
COLLINGWOOD has secured the services of Sydney ruckman Darren Jolly.
Under the deal agreed on Wednesday night, the Swans will receive the Magpies' first-round draft pick - number 14 overall - and pick 46 in return for Jolly who wanted to return to Victoria for family reasons.
Sydney coach Paul Roos said the club was disappointed to lose Jolly but respected his decision to return home.
"We would have loved him to stay, but we also get where he's at in his life," Roos said.
The Swans snared West Coast's Mark Seaby on the first day of trade week and are keen to add a second ruckman to their list – promising Geelong youngster Shane Mumford the prime target.
Roos said Mumford wanted to joined the club.
"He's indicated to us that he'll come to the club and we obviously hope to complete a trade with the Geelong Football Club and we intend to work with them on Thursday and see what we can do," he said.
Jolly was taken with pick 31 in the 2000 rookie draft and played 48 games at Melbourne before joining Sydney.
He spent five seasons at the Swans and was a member of the club's 2005 premiership side.
The acquisition of Jolly increases speculation that Collingwood will trade Josh Fraser as the Magpies will want to continue to nurture young ruckman Cameron Wood.
COLLINGWOOD star Dane Swan has claimed his second straight EW Copeland Tropy at the Crown Casino on Friday night.
The hard-working midfielder, who played all 25 matches and averaged 30 disposals per game, polled 57 votes to win the Magpies' best-and-fairest award ahead of skipper and fellow All-Australian Nick Maxwell (48).
The win sees Swan join illustrious company - only 12 players in the club's history before him including the likes of of club legends Bob Rose, Murray Weideman, Len Thompson and Nathan Buckley have won the award back-to-back.
Heath Shaw finished third ahead of fellow defender Harry O'Brien despite the pair both polling 43 votes.
Under the club’s voting system, players that are tied for votes at the end of counting are separated on a games-played basis.
Alan Didak rounded out the top five with 41 votes.
In other awards, promising young midfielder Dayne Beams won the best first-year player award, O'Brien was named best clubman, Maxwell and Shaw shared the best player in finals award and John Anthony took home the leading goal kicker award.
2009 Copeland Trophy Top 10
Dane Swan, 57 votes (EW Copeland Trophy)
Nick Maxwell, 48 votes (RT Rush Trophy)
Heath Shaw, 43 votes (JJ Joyce Trophy)
Harry O’Brien, 43 votes (JF McHale Trophy)
Alan Didak, 41 votes (Jack Regan Trophy)
Scott Pendlebury, 41 votes
Tarkyn Lockyer, 39 votes
Leon Davis, 38 votes
Simon Prestigiacomo, 37 votes
Shane O’Bree, 36 votes
Joseph Wren Trophy (Best VFL Player): Ryan Cook
Darren Millane Trophy (Best Clubman): Heritier O’Brien
Harry Collier Trophy (Best First Year Player): Dayne Beams
Gordon Coventry Trophy (Leading Goal Kicker): John Anthony, 50 goals
Gavin Brown Award (Leading Desire Indicators): Nick Maxwell
Bob Rose Award (Best Player in Finals): Nick Maxwell and Heath Shaw
Phonse Kyne Trophy (For Services to the Club): Anne Martin
September 24th 2009 07:35
IRISHMAN Martin Clarke has elected not to seek a newplaying contract with Collingwood and will return home after three seasons with the Magpies.
Clarke joined the Pies at the end of 2006 from County Down on a two-year international rookie contract..
The 21-year-old made his AFL debut in round 12, 2007 against Sydney after being temporarily elevated to the senior list due to a long-term injury, and earned a permanent spot on the senior list for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
The last of Clarke's 46 games was against the Swans in round 12 this year and he was named as an emergency for the preliminary final against Geelong.
Clarke said homesickness and a 'burning' desire to be a teacher were behind his decision to leave the Magpies.
"My decision to return home was not an easy one. But I simply miss my home and the people close to me too much. I also have a burning desire to be a teacher and I want to start that stage of my life as soon as possible," Clarke said in a statement on the club's website.
"I am also looking forward to playing Gaelic football again. I strongly believe my best moments of my sporting life are ahead of me and at this stage and I want to show them on the GAA stage."
Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh thanked Clarke for his contribution and commitment to the club.
"He’s an outstanding talent who is very highly regarded by his peers and everyone at the club, and he will be missed," Walsh said.
"I'm sure Marty will be successful in his future endeavours, and on behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to wish him the very best back in Ireland."
September 21st 2009 07:34
COLLINGWOOD forward Anthony Rocca has announced his retirement from AFL football after 242 games.
Rocca informed coach Mick Malthouse and teammates on Monday that he would hang up the boots.
The 32-year-old was restricted to just four games during 2009 due to ankle and Achilles injuries.
His last match was the Magpies' qualifying final loss to St Kilda three weeks ago.
Taken by Sydney in the 1994 national draft, Rocca spent two years at the Swans before being traded to Collingwood.
Rocca, who kicked 415 goals during his career, booted 404 goals in 220 games for Pies and led the club's goalkicking on four occasions.
He sits eighth on the all-time Collingwood goalkicking list and only 16 players have played more games for the Magpies.
Rocca said he was very proud of what he was able to achieve during his 14 seasons at the elite level and that he was lucky to have played alongside so many great players.
"Beginning in Sydney and playing alongside men the calibre of Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett, Paul Roos and Michael O’Loughlin was a huge privilege," Rocca said.
"Then to move to Collingwood and be alongside the likes of Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Gavin Brown, Graham Wright and particularly my brother Saverio, I am very fortunate."
Rocca also said the 2002 grand final in which he booted four of his side's nine goals in the nine-point loss to Brisbane was a bittersweet memory.
"Playing in the 2002 grand final was a highlight, but also one of the lowlights, but I'll always remember that opportunity," he said.
Malthouse said Rocca was an important member of the club.
"I think we'll always be mindful of the fact that, in the 2002 grand final, he produced a herculean effort, and he almost got us over the line," Malthouse said.
"Unfortunately for us the following year he wasn't there in the grand final, and it was probably pretty reflective of the score line, and in many respects tells us how important he was to the football club."
Rocca added that he was interested in following in the footsteps of his older brother Saverio who is a punter for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.
"Looking to life after footy, I want to take some time off, first of all take a holiday and go and visit my brother in the US," he said.
"I'm keen to try and get into the punting scene in the NFL, and I'll try my best to get a job in that arena, but if not I wouldn't mind doing some sort of part-time coaching role in the AFL. I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."
September 18th 2009 02:55
COLLINGWOOD midfielder Scott Pendlebury looks set to play in Saturday night's preliminary final against Geelong at the MCG after getting through Friday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock unscathed.
Pendelbury was named in the Magpies' side just 12 days after breaking his right leg in the qualifying final loss to St Kilda.
The classy 21-year-old moved freely during the 45-minute session which consisted of jogging, kicking and end to end running.
Emergencies Dayne Beams, Marty Clarke and Josh Fraser trained with the main group.
Beams and Clarke trained well but Fraser's chances of earning a late call-up appear to be slim.
The Pies' number one ruckman struggled to put pressure on his right knee which was heavily strapped.
September 12th 2009 13:42
COLLINGWOOD has booked a preliminary final showdown with Geelong with a thrilling five-point win over Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night.
A goal from John Anthony with just 20 seconds remaining sealed a memorable 12.11 (83) to 11.12 (78) victory for the Magpies.
It was a bitterly disappointing end to the season for the Crows who led by as much as 32 points in the second quarter.
Heath Shaw provided plenty of drive from defence with a team-high 29 possessions while Dane Swan (28) was also instrumental in the win.
Promising youngster Steele Sidebottom was superb with 25 touches, seven marks, 10 tackles and six inside 50’s while skipper Nick Maxwell and Harry O’Brien kept Trent Hentschel and Jason Porplyzia quiet.
For Adelaide, Bernie Vince, Simon Goodwin and David Mackay all racked up 30-plus possessions while Kurt Tippett booted four goals - three of which came in the last term.
Both sides traded early goals before Adelaide took control of the contest.
The Crows won more of football and ran in waves as they slammed on six unanswered goals to go into quarter-time with a commanding 29-point lead.
Highlighting Adelaide’s willingness to run was the fact that they had 90 handballs in the opening stanza - the second most ever by a side in a quarter of football.
The Magpies stemmed the flow in the second term but only managed two goals of their own as Adelaide went into the main break with a 26-point advantage.
Collingwood turned the game on its head in the third quarter.
They dominated possession and were cleaner with their use of the football as they piled on six goals without reply.
Ben Johnson and Brad Dick chipped in with two apiece to help the Pies open up a 10-point lead at three-quarter time.
Adelaide came out firing in the final stanza, booting the first three goals including two from Tippett to establish a seven-point break.
The Magpies responded through Brent Macaffer and Leigh Brown to regain the lead but when Tippett squeezed home his fourth it appeared as if the Crows would prevail.
But there was one last twist with Adelaide full-back Ben Rutten conceding a free kick for holding Anthony’s arm at a marking contest.
Anthony held his nerve to put the Pies into their second preliminary final in three years.
COLLINGWOOD: 1.4, 3.5, 9.7, 12.11 (83)
ADELAIDE: 6.3, 7.7, 7.9, 11.12 (78)
GOALS: Collingwood: Dick 2, Johnson 2, Swan, Cloke, Lockyer, Wellingham, O'Brien, Brown, Macaffer, Anthony
Adelaide: Tippett 4, Thompson 2, Dangerfield 2, Hentschel, Burton, Knights
BEST: Collingwood: Shaw, Swan, Sidebottom, Maxwell, O’Brien, O'Bree
Adelaide: Goodwin, Vince, Johncock, Mackay, Edwards, Symes
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil
Adelaide: Knights (hamstring)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Chamberlain, McInerney
CROWD: 62,184 at the MCG
COLLINGWOOD has suffered a massive blow ahead of Saturday night's knockout semi-final against Adelaide at the MCG with scans confirming that star midfielder Scott Pendlebury has a fractured fibula.
Pendelbury suffered the injury early in the first quarter of the Magpies' 28-point loss to St Kilda in Sunday's first qualifying final.
The 21-year-old has undergone surgery to repair a cracked bone in his leg and is an outside chance to play again this season but only if the Pies make the grand final.
Meanwhile, veteran forward Anthony Rocca is in doubt for the clash against the Crows after re-injuring his ankle against the Saints.
COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has flagged the possibility of making changes to his side ahead of Sunday's qualifying final against St Kilda at the MCG.
Malthouse said veteran forward Anthony Rocca who has battled injury problems for most of the season was a chance to return for just his fourth AFL match of the year after a solid month in the VFL, while several other players are also in the selection frame.
"Anthony is going to be in the mix," Malthouse said.
"I know I have said that in the last month or so, but he has performed on a wet track at the weekend on a good ground down at Geelong, got the football, was able to get his five or six shots on goal."
"We have got to make some pretty tough decisions. We are in a position to do that."
Malthouse also said classy midfielder Scott Pendelbury was no certainty to play against the Saints after being a late withdrawal from the side that lost to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday with a back spasm.
COLLINGWOOD has ended Sydney’s season with a 41-point win at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies’ 13.19 (97) to 8.8 (56) victory means the Swans will miss the finals for the first time since 2002.
It was Collingwood’s 12th win from their past 13 matches and their eighth in a row over Sydney.
The last time the Swans tasted success against the Pies was in round 13, 2005.
The Magpies will finish third and face Geelong in week one of the finals if they beat the fourth-placed Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Sunday but a big loss to the fourth-placed Dogs could see them drop to fourth and face ladder leaders St Kilda in the first week of September.
Collingwood youngster Dayne Beams continued his impressive debut season with a game-high 24 possessions while John Anthony booted four goals.
Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo and skipper Nick Maxwell were resolute in defence while number one ruckman Josh Fraser was solid in his return from a knee injury with 17 disposals, seven hit outs and two majors.
Adam Goodes was Sydney’s best with 24 touches, 11 marks and three goals while Rhyce Shaw kept prolific ball-winner Dane Swan quiet.
Despite failing to kick a goal in an opening term that didn’t reach any great heights the Swans trailed by just 11 points as the Magpies managed just two goals.
Sydney finally had their first goal on the board when Jarred Moore converted in the first minute of the second quarter.
Both sides traded goals before back-to-back majors from Goodes and Paul Bevan in time on saw the Swans close to within one-point.
But a goal from Brad Dick ensured the Magpies went into the main break in front, holding a nine-point advantage.
Anthony kicked the first of the second half before the Swans hit back through Goodes two minutes later.
It was all Collingwood from that moment on.
Dick’s second - a brilliant snap from 70 metres out near the boundary which landed 30 metres from goal but somehow managed to bounce through an unguarded goal - sparked a four goal run for the Magpies who went into three-quarter time with a match-winning 30-point lead.
COLLINGWOOD: 2.3, 5.9, 10.13, 13.19 (97)
SYDNEY SWANS: 0.4, 4.6, 6.7, 8.8 (56)
GOALS: Collingwood: Anthony 4, Dick 2, Fraser 2, Medhurst, Wood, Cloke, Swan. Lockyer
Sydney: Goodes 3, White, Moore, Smith, Bevan, Barlow
BEST: Collingwood: Beams, Anthony, O'Brien, Prestigiacomo, Maxwell, Fraser, Medhurst, Wood
Sydney: Goodes, Shaw, Smith, C Bolton, O'Keefe, O'Dwyer,
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil
Sydney: Moore (ribs)
UMPIRES: McBurney, Rosebury, McLaren
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 54,400 at MCG
COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dayne Beams has signed a contract extension with the Magpies, putting him out of the reach of the new Gold Coast club.
Beams, who grew up on the Gold Coast, has been impressive in his debut season, averaging 18 disposals in 14 games.
The 19-year-old won a NAB Rising Star nomination in round 17 and collected a career-high 30 possessions in last Saturday's 93-point demolition of Richmond at the MCG.
COLLINGWOOD has all but secured a top four berth and the all-important double chance with a 93-point demolition of Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies got the early jump and were never challenged as they romped to a convincing 22.20 (152) to 8.11 (59) victory.
The win was Collingwood’s second biggest ever over the Tigers.
The result means the Pies (14-6) needs to win just one of their last two matches against the Sydney and the Western Bulldogs to finish in the top four.
It was a bitterly disappointing performance from Richmond in what was veteran Joel Bowden’s 265th and final AFL game.
Apart from the early in the first term, the only time the Tigers showed any fight was in a brief melee in the second quarter.
Dane Swan did his Brownlow medal chances no harm with a game-high 34 possessions and two goals while Shane O’Bree, Scott Pendlebury and youngster Dayne Beams were also influential, racking up 30-plus disposals.
The Magpies had 13 individual goal kickers for the match - Leon Davis the most effective with four while John Anthony chimed in with three majors.
For Richmond, Brett Deledio tried hard all day and finished with a team-high 31 touches while Robin Nahas was lively with 19 possessions and two goals.
The Tigers started promisingly and kicked two of the first three goals of the contest before Collingwood took control.
They won more of the football and were cleaner with their disposal as they slammed on six unanswered goals to open up a 37-point lead at quarter-time.
The Pies should have been further in front at the first change but they booted a wasteful 7.8 in the opening stanza.
Highlighting Collingwood’s dominance after an even start was the fact that Richmond’s last scoring shot for the quarter came at the seven-minute mark.
The Tigers also failed to enter inside their forward line in the last 22 minutes of the term.
Richmond had just 11 entries inside 50 in the first half - the lowest of any side this year - and found themselves trailing by 70 points at half-time after the Magpies piled on six goals to one in the second term.
Collingwood’s match-winning lead at the main break was their biggest at half-time in 14 years.
Seven goals to three in the third term saw the margin blow out to 92 points at three-quarter time before the Magpies took their foot off the pedal.
Richmond matched the Pies’ two goals in a lacklustre final term to ensure the margin didn’t blow out to triple figures.
RICHMOND: 2.1, 3.3, 6.5, 8.11 (59)
COLLINGWOOD: 7.8, 13.13, 20.18, 22.20 (152)
GOALS: Richmond: Nahas 2, Riewoldt, Morton, Deledio, Hislop, Tambling, Hislop
Collingwood: Davis 4, Anthony 3, Cloke 2, Swan 2, Didak 2, Dick 2, Medhurst, Shaw, Lockyer, Beams, Johnson, O'Brien, Pendlebury
BEST: Richmond: Deledio, Nahas, Cousins
Collingwood: Swan, Beams, Pendlebury, O'Bree, Pendlebury, Johnson, Davis O'Brien
INJURIES: Richmond: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
REPORTS: Jake King (Richmond) reported by umpire James for striking Alan Didak (Collingwood) in the second quarter; Tom Hislop (Richmond) for making high contact with Shane O'Bree (Collingwood) in the final quarter
CHANGES: Mark Coughlan replaced Matthew White in Richmond's selected side
UMPIRES: Donlon, James, Avon
CROWD: 63,366 at the MCG
TonyK
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