INJURY UPDATE :Clear Evidence’: Injury-Hit Pies Stay Patient Amid 0-4 START.
**‘Clear Evidence’: Injury-Hit Pies Stay Patient Amid 0-4 Start**
The Collingwood Magpies have had a challenging start to the season, opening their 2024 campaign with an 0-4 record. Despite the rough beginning, head coach Craig McRae and the injury-hit squad are remaining patient and optimistic, pointing to “clear evidence” of improvement in their performances, even if the results haven’t gone their way.
Plagued by injuries to key players, including star midfielder Jordan De Goey and ruckman Darcy Cameron, the Magpies have struggled to field their best team. The absence of critical contributors has been felt in both their forward and defensive lines, limiting their ability to close out games and apply consistent pressure. However, the team believes that with time and the eventual return of these players, they can turn their fortunes around.
“We’re not hiding from the fact that 0-4 is not where we want to be, but the effort and growth from the group are there,” McRae said in a post-match press conference. “There’s clear evidence that we’re improving each week, and we believe in the system we’ve built. We just need to stay patient and keep working on the little things.”
Indeed, while their win-loss record may not show it, the Magpies have been competitive in each of their losses. Several matches have been decided by narrow margins, with Collingwood showing flashes of the form that made them a premiership contender in recent years. However, injuries and inexperience have made it difficult to maintain consistency over four quarters.
Veteran forward Jamie Elliott echoed McRae’s sentiment, urging fans to trust in the process. “It’s frustrating, of course, but we’re building something strong here. We’ve been hit hard by injuries, but there’s a belief in the locker room that we’re close to turning things around. It’s just about staying the course.”
The Pies’ depth has been tested, with younger players stepping into larger roles. Midfielders like Finlay Macrae and Ollie Henry have shown promise, but the team’s overall inexperience has led to lapses in decision-making and execution under pressure. Despite these challenges, McRae remains confident that the exposure to senior football will benefit these players in the long term.
Adding to the challenge is the tough fixture ahead. With matches against top-four sides on the horizon, the Magpies know that they’ll need to find their form quickly if they’re to climb out of the early-season hole. Still, McRae insists that the team’s focus remains on internal improvement rather than external expectations.
“We can’t control the injuries, and we can’t control who we play, but what we can control is our effort and our attitude. That’s been strong so far, and as long as we keep building on that, the wins will come,” McRae added.
For now, Collingwood’s patience and belief in their system are being tested. With key players set to return in the coming weeks, the Pies will be hoping to find the spark that can ignite their season and get them back into the finals conversation. Until then, the focus remains on steady progress, trusting that the “clear evidence” of improvement will soon translate into victories.
