Collingwood’s development manager Craig McRae says a desire to fast track the evolution of the club’s youngsters serves as an underlying impetus in designing programs seeking to advance the Magpies' generation next.

Following an off-season list overhaul which saw the arrival of four draftees, including two top ten picks, Matthew Scharenberg and Nathan Freeman, as well as former first round selections Taylor Adams and Patrick Karnezis, the complexion of the Collingwood list has changed markedly.

Although Collingwood retains the fifth most experienced list in the competition, it also boasts the fifth youngest, emphasising the challenge facing McRae and his development team, which includes Anthony Rocca, Tarkyn Lockyer, Steve Grace and VFL coach Dale Tapping in fostering a brigade of youngsters capable of contributing at senior level.

It is a challenge however that McRae says they tackle with relish, building upon the shrewd work of Collingwood’s recruiting department, headed by Derek Hine, who have consistently demonstrated a capacity to deftly navigate their way through draft and trade periods emerging with the best talent available.

“Derek has been terrific at bringing young talent into the club, either at the draft table or through rookie selection,” McRae said.

“With the development program and quality staff we have in place, we’ve got great confidence that with the players who come into our environment, we have the ability to get the best out of them as quickly as we possibly can.

“We look for evidence of football improvement, we’re constantly looking to fast track them and their game plan knowledge, and are coaching around that.”

Charged with preparing Collingwood’s brigade of fledglings for the rigours of senior football, McRae stands at the coal face of the Magpies future, guiding and nurturing youngsters through the precarious early years of their career.

And given the draft remains the primary source of list replenishment, there is a clear prerogative incumbent upon clubs to ensure they are able to effectively support and spur youngsters to achieve their potential.

The means to achieving that end is one which constantly occupies the mind of McRae and his colleagues, ultimately informing a philosophy which sees the coaching staff seek to use positive reinforcement in aiding the transition to senior football and bolstering the confidence of its young recruits.

“One of our major philosophies is to continually see what they’re good at. We want to see their strengths,” McRae said.

“So for example, if we’re going to do a tackling drill, and Jack Frost comes to mind, he’s one of our best tacklers, well, we want to see that.

“Or, if we are doing a contested ball, stoppage situation or game then Josh Thomas, he’s one of the best clean hands players we’ve got, so let’s see it. We’re constantly looking for evidence to get those guys to display their strengths.”

Though addressing and refining areas of weakness is hardly overlooked when helping a future talent craft his game, McRae said the club seeks to empower youngsters by encouraging them to draw upon the gifts which saw them draw the attention of Collingwood’s recruiters in the first place.

“We’re not neglecting the need to work on things they need to improve at, but when they’re drafted, and Nathan Freeman comes to the club, and he’s number one in the draft camp for repeat speed, well, we want to see that,” McRae said.

“As early as yesterday we had him do a drill and he really stood out in the repeat effort stuff, and it was pleasing. We reward that. That’s one of the things we ask and demand of players who come into our environment.”