Collingwoodfc.com.au looks at the players who are set to make a difference in season 2015.

Patrick Karnezis
The story so far
Drafted to Brisbane with the 25th selection in the 2010 National Draft, Patrick Karnezis’ progress has been hampered by groin injuries during his four years at the highest level.

He kicked 17 goals in his first 11 games as a Lion but played just 10 games in the next two years and requested a trade back to Melbourne at the end of 2013.

Karnezis landed at Collingwood in a straight swap for Jackson Paine, but could only show glimpses of his best football as injuries took their toll during his first year with the Woodsmen.

The upside
He is yet to play a senior game for the Magpies, making him still very much a virtual recruit as we begin 2015.

Despite groin and hamstring issues, Karnezis led Collingwood’s goal kicking at VFL level with 31 majors from just 13 games.

Karnezis’ six-goal performance against Geelong in round eight catapulted him into the reckoning for a place in the senior side. Seven of his nine kicks that afternoon were nine scoring shots. Unfortunately an untimely hamstring strain put paid to his hopes of a senior call up.

But it proves his immense potential. Whether he plays as a half forward or further afield is unknown, but his pre-season has been first class to date.

The stat
Despite playing just 13 matches, Karnezis led Collingwood’s goal kicking in the VFL with 31. What’s more, he kicked just 13 behinds, four of those coming in the final match of the year.

In a nutshell
Karnezis enters 2015 as one of the unknowns of the Collingwood line up. Originally drafted with pick No. 25 and with plenty of promising showings in the state leagues, he undoubtedly has the talent to make a difference at the highest level. A big pre-season will be the order of the day before he shows his wares across half forward and even further afield.