View looking up for Pies new boy

LONG-TIME Magpie fan Isaac Quaynor had one of the best seats in the house – right behind the Collingwood cheersquad – during this year’s nailbitting AFL Grand Final.

As shattered as he was with the Pies’ narrow loss, the 18year-old who became the club’s first draft pick last Thursday, might have an even better vantage point the next time Collingwood runs on to the MCG.

If you listen to draft watchers, Quaynor could well be playing off half back when the Pies take on the Cats on March 21.

“I was lucky enough to snag a ticket behind the Collingwood cheersquad,” Quaynor said. “It was a pretty good spot to be in until West Coast got that (late) goal.

“It feels like five months ago, and 12 months ago, I was looking at it all as a fan (would). Now to be a part of the club you have barracked for all your life is a dream come true.”

Quaynor joined Collingwood’s other national draft picks Will Kelly and Atu Bosenavulagi – all from Oakleigh Chargers – at the Salvation Army’s Magpie Nest Cafe yesterday, as they learnt about the club’s commitment to the community’s less fortunate.

The Salvation Army’s Major Brendan Nottle said: “Collingwood’s program is genuinely changing lives … the fact they brought their draft players here is just a huge statement that they are absolutely committed to the most vulnerable people in the city.”

The Magpies have eight players on the list who were recruited from Oakleigh, with Quaynor joking “the Chargers are taking over, which is good”.

Selected at pick 13, Quaynor can’t wait to get started at the Holden Centre tomorrow.

“First, I want to get on the training track and train hard, and make a good impression on my teammates and the coaching staff,” he said. “Obviously, everyone wants to make a senior debut at some point.”