Taylor made for new position
COLLINGWOOD vice-captain Taylor Adams could be spending more time at halfback this year and he could be joined by skipper Scott Pendlebury if pre-season training is any guide.
The Magpies are on the Gold Coast for a training camp, with match simulation a big part of the club’s preparations for the new season.
Adams said there were several players being tested in new positions as Collingwood looked to end a four-year finals drought.
“You’ll definitely see Jack Crisp down back. I dare say you’ll see myself and Pendles [Scott Pendlebury] play some sort of backline time,” he told RSN927.
“I’ve spent a little bit of time down back this pre-season as well as playing midfield. You’ll definitely see guys in new roles.
“We know our best footy is good enough. We’ve just got to get ourselves to a standard in the gym, on the track, mentality so we can withstand teams that have beaten us in the past.
“We’ve brought in some quality people in admin, team development and coaching. I’ve certainly noticed a change.
“I think it’s the right time to have a freshen up at the footy club.
“The guys that have come in have had an impact. In terms of if it will work on field, I have no idea and we won’t until Round 1.”
Adams revealed small forward Jamie Elliott was tracking ahead of schedule with his ankle injury and was hopeful of lining up in Round 1.
Adams said the camp had been a great opportunity for the players to get back into football mode after the Christmas break.
“I’ve really enjoyed the camp and the feedback’s been really good from the players and the coaches,” he said.
“This is the most enjoyable time of the pre-season because it’s almost like game mode. The runners come off a little bit and we’re playing as much footy as we can.
“We trialled AFLX about a week ago and found it really solid as a conditioning block.”
The Magpies’ will make their AFLX debut against Adelaide, Port Adelaide, West Coast, Fremantle and Geelong at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium on February 15.
The JLT Community Series will follow with games against GWS in Canberra on March 1 and the Western Bulldogs in Moe on March 10.