Josh Eyre, a former tall utility player for Essendon, will trial on Monday along with four other players for a spot on Collingwood’s rookie list during the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).
At Gosch’s Paddock on the first day of the preseason, Eyre trained with the Magpies’ first to fourth-year players, including delisted players Jack Bytel and Brynn Teakle, Collingwood VFL co-captain Campbell Hustwaite, and VAFA star Sam Sofronidis.
The 21-year-old, who was delisted by the Bombers months earlier without appearing in a senior game, trained with St Kilda during the previous SSP but was unable to sign a contract due to a serious hamstring injury.
Eyre signed with Collingwood’s VFL side in March but didn’t play until round 10 due to his hamstring injury.
The Calder Cannons product showed his talent across nine appearances for the Magpies’ reserves, playing predominantly as a key defender under Josh Fraser’s watch in the VFL.
Josh Eyre celebrates a goal during Essendon’s clash against Port Melbourne in round four of the 2022 VFL season. Picture: AFL Photos
Olympic Park’s surface was being resurfaced before Christmas, so Collingwood began preparing to play back-to-back just down the street. On Wednesday, they will move to Victoria Park.
While Craig McRae, the Premiership coach, is in the United States finishing up a course at Harvard University, Hayden Skipworth is in charge of the program this week.
Signing off-seasonLachie Schultz, who was selected last week, joined his new teammates for the first time, donning the No. 8 spot left by Trent Bianco. Meanwhile, Tew Jiath and Harry DeMattia finished a modified practice on day one.
Harry DeMattia in action during Collingwood’s training session at Gosch’s Paddock on November 27, 2023. Picture: Getty Images
Scott Pendlebury was one of more than a handful of senior players to report back ahead of schedule, starting his 19th pre-season early after becoming a two-time premiership player in September.
Along with Josh Daicos, the current Copeland Trophy winner, and John Noble, who is hoping to make a big impression this summer after being left out of the 23 during the finals series, Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell was also competing.
After working with Nick Daicos away from the main group during a light session, Nathan Murphy concluded his recuperation from his most recent concussion, which forced him to miss the Grand Final.
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Nick Daicos in action during Collingwood’s training session at Gosch’s Paddock on November 27, 2023. Picture: Getty Images
Brayden Maynard, Jamie Elliott and Mason Cox will all follow a modified program when they return for pre-season training next Monday after undergoing off-season surgery to repair issues they carried during the season.
