Certainly! Here’s a detailed and creative exploration of a fictional scenario where the Collingwood Football Club strengthens their squad with 10 new signings for the 2025 AFL season.
Done Deal: Collingwood Strengthen Their Squad with 10 New Signings for the 2025 AFL Season
As the 2025 AFL season draws near, the Collingwood Football Club has taken the bold step of strengthening their squad with 10 exciting new signings, confirming their ambition to challenge for the premiership in the coming year. After a solid, but ultimately disappointing, 2024 season that saw the Magpies fall short of their lofty goals, the club’s leadership has decided to revamp the roster, adding fresh talent, energy, and experience to complement their existing stars.
With the AFL’s competitive nature continuing to evolve, Collingwood’s front office has made calculated moves in the trade and draft period to ensure that the team has the depth, versatility, and quality necessary to mount a serious challenge for the 2025 title. From seasoned veterans to promising young players, Collingwood has built a new-look squad with the aim of addressing key areas of need, enhancing their strengths, and setting themselves up for success in a highly competitive AFL landscape.
In this piece, we will explore the 10 new signings that Collingwood has made for the 2025 season, assess their potential impact on the team, and look at how these acquisitions complement the club’s broader strategy.
The Rationale Behind the Recruitment
Collingwood, like many AFL clubs, faces the delicate balance of maintaining the core players who have served the club well while injecting fresh blood into the team. The Magpies, traditionally one of the most successful and popular clubs in the league, have a strong foundation in place. However, the club’s decision-makers recognized a few key areas where improvements could be made: the forward line, defensive depth, midfield strength, and providing more options in terms of leadership.
Collingwood’s Recruitment Strategy
The 2025 recruitment strategy has focused on adding depth in critical areas while ensuring the team retains its aggressive and high-pressure playing style. Collingwood’s coaching staff, led by senior coach Craig McRae, has emphasized the need for versatile players who can adapt to multiple roles across the ground. Furthermore, the club sought to strengthen its leadership group by bringing in experienced players who can share the load with stars like Scott Pendlebury and Darcy Moore, ensuring that Collingwood has the depth required for a successful premiership campaign.
The 10 New Signings
1. Jack Ginnivan (Forward) – Recruited from Hawthorn
In one of the biggest surprises of the trade period, Collingwood has secured the services of Jack Ginnivan from the Hawthorn Football Club. Ginnivan, a small forward with excellent goal sense and a knack for finding space inside 50, brings a much-needed spark to Collingwood’s forward line. With his elite goal-kicking ability and high football IQ, Ginnivan adds another layer of attacking potency, complementing the club’s existing forward options like Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott. The young forward’s agility and creativity will also allow him to impact the game through the midfield, providing flexibility to the team’s forward structure.
2. Luke Dunstan (Midfield) – Recruited from St Kilda
After years of solid service with St Kilda, Luke Dunstan joins Collingwood to bolster their midfield depth. A tough, hard-working midfielder known for his contested ball-winning ability, Dunstan adds a strong defensive presence in the middle of the ground. His addition will free up the likes of Jordan De Goey and Jack Crisp to play a more attacking role, while Dunstan ensures that Collingwood can match up in the contested possession game. Dunstan’s leadership and experience will also be valuable as he helps guide the younger players through the pressures of AFL football.
3. Tom Lynch (Forward) – Recruited from Richmond
Collingwood’s forward line has lacked a dominant key forward since the retirement of Travis Cloke. Tom Lynch, the key forward from Richmond, is a player who can fill this void. Lynch is known for his ability to clunk marks in contested situations and his finishing around the goals. Having played in multiple finals campaigns with Richmond, Lynch brings invaluable experience to the Magpies’ forward structure. His presence in the forward 50 will allow the smaller forwards like Ginnivan and Elliott to operate more freely, and Lynch’s marking ability will provide Collingwood with a strong target inside 50.
4. Jake Lever (Defender) – Recruited from Melbourne
Jake Lever is one of the premier key defenders in the competition, and Collingwood’s move to bring him into their defensive unit is a masterstroke. Lever’s excellent reading of the play, aerial strength, and ability to intercept the ball will bolster Collingwood’s backline. With Darcy Moore and Lever now anchoring the defense, the Magpies’ ability to shut down opposition forwards will be significantly improved. Lever’s leadership and composure under pressure make him a perfect fit for the demanding environment at Collingwood.
5. Zach Merrett (Midfield) – Recruited from Essendon
A sensational addition to Collingwood’s midfield, Zach Merrett brings elite ball use, high football IQ, and leadership to the side. One of the league’s best contested ball-winners and decision-makers, Merrett will provide the Magpies with an extra dimension in the midfield. His ability to win clearances and deliver pinpoint passes into the forward line will complement Collingwood’s existing midfielders. Merrett’s experience and leadership will also provide a steady hand in tight games, particularly in finals scenarios.
6. James Aish (Midfield/Defender) – Recruited from Fremantle
Collingwood has long been in need of a versatile player who can rotate through both the midfield and the backline. James Aish fits this role perfectly. A reliable and hard-working player, Aish’s ability to play multiple roles will give coach McRae more flexibility in terms of team selection. Whether he’s filling a defensive role or providing another ball carrier in the midfield, Aish’s high work rate and solid skills will make him an invaluable asset for the 2025 season.
7. Harry Cunningham (Defender) – Recruited from Sydney
Harry Cunningham, a small but highly effective defender, brings experience and resilience to the Collingwood backline. Known for his ability to lock down opponents and his strong work rate, Cunningham will help shore up Collingwood’s defensive unit. His pace and ability to read the play will give the Magpies a better option when moving the ball from the back half, adding to their overall versatility in transition.
8. Chad Wingard (Midfield/Forward) – Recruited from Port Adelaide
Chad Wingard adds flair and creativity to Collingwood’s midfield and forward line. Wingard is an extremely skillful player with the ability to break tackles, create scoring opportunities, and make game-changing plays. His flexibility means he can rotate between the midfield and the forward line, depending on the needs of the team. With his ability to produce moments of brilliance, Wingard is a dangerous player who will provide the Magpies with an attacking edge they’ve been lacking in recent years.
9. Sam Collins (Defender) – Recruited from Gold Coast Suns
A strong and reliable key defender, Sam Collins brings much-needed depth to Collingwood’s backline. Collins is known for his one-on-one defense and his ability to shut down key forwards. His addition will allow the Magpies to rotate their defenders more effectively, and his experience will be key in supporting the likes of Darcy Moore and Jake Lever. With the AFL becoming more dynamic and fast-paced, having a strong, steady defender like Collins is a crucial acquisition.
10. Will Brodie (Midfield) – Recruited from Fremantle
Will Brodie has shown great promise at Fremantle, and Collingwood has moved quickly to secure his services. Brodie is a hard-working midfielder who excels at winning contested ball and providing a physical presence in the middle of the ground. His ability to break through tackles and win the hard ball will complement Collingwood’s other midfielders, adding depth to an already strong engine room.
The Impact on Collingwood’s 2025 Campaign
With these 10 new signings, Collingwood has significantly bolstered its squad. From a potent forward line to a rock-solid defense and a midfield stacked with quality players, the Magpies are now a team capable of competing at the highest level in 2025.
These new acquisitions will bring much-needed depth, versatility, and experience to the team. With several of these players capable of playing multiple positions, Collingwood will be better equipped to handle the rigors of an AFL season, and coach Craig McRae now has a wealth of options to choose from in every match.
Looking Ahead: Collingwood’s Premiership Push
The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one for Collingwood fans, with their squad now looking as competitive as ever. The new signings have not only addressed critical gaps but also provided the club with a strong, versatile, and deep roster. While many of these players are still in the prime of their careers, the mix of youth and experience within the squad ensures that the Magpies will have a good balance of both.
With a new-look team, the Magpies will be hoping that 2025 is the year they can push for the ultimate prize—the AFL premiership. If these 10 new signings live up to their potential, Collingwood will be a team to watch in the upcoming season, and their fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.
This fictional piece showcases a series of signings that would strengthen Collingwood’s AFL squad for 2025. Let me know if…
