Collingwood has been listed as the seventh youngest playing group in the AFL by the 2016 Champion Data AFL Prospectus.

The annual statistical almanac shows that the Magpies’ list is 40 days older than 2015 finalists the Western Bulldogs, yet younger than the seven clubs who participated in September last year.

As the 2016 season approaches, Collingwood’s average age stands at 23 years and 310 days. 2011 Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan is the oldest player on the list (31 years, 185 days), while draftee Brayden Sier is the youngest (18 years, 51 days).

While retaining a similar average age to 2015, a pre-season of trading in tried and tested young player’s means Collingwood will be more experienced across the board in 2016.

The Magpies have added 100-game player Jeremy Howe from Melbourne, while fellow recruit Adam Treloar played 79 games in his four seasons at the GWS Giants.

In total, Collingwood added 217 games of experience, making it the ninth most experienced squad in the competition.

North Melbourne were listed as the most experienced team in the AFL with a list-average of 93.9 games, while fellow 2015 finalists Hawthorn, Fremantle and West Coast rounded out the top four sides.

The following statistics from Champion Data provide a snapshot to Collingwood’s 2016 list.

List changes (with AFL experience)

In:
James Aish (32 games)
Jeremy Howe (100 games)
Adam Treloar (79 games)
Tim Golds (6 games)
TOTAL AVERAGE = 54.3 games

Out:
Ben Kennedy (25 games)
Paul Seedsman (49 games)
Sam Dwyer (39 games)
Patrick Karnezis (25 games)
Clinton Young (137 games)
Tony Armstrong (35 games)
TOTAL AVERAGE = 51.7 games

Year-by-year comparison of age and experience

2014
Average age: 23 years, 318 days
Average games: 69

2015
Average age: 23 years, 159 days
Average games: 53

2016
Average age: 23 years, 310 days
Average games: 69

Average age – by club

1. Brisbane Lions – 22 years and 343 days
2. Greater Western Sydney – 23 years and 99 days
3. Gold Coast – 23 years and 197 days
4. Melbourne – 23 years and 241 days
5. Western Bulldogs – 23 years and 270 days
6. St Kilda – 23 years and 303 days
7. Collingwood – 23 years and 310 days
8. Adelaide – 24 years and 29 days
9. Carlton – 24 years and 40 days
10. Port Adelaide – 24 years and 40 days
11. Richmond – 24 years and 95 days
12. Sydney Swans – 24 years and 124 days
13. West Coast – 24 years and 175 days
14. Geelong – 24 years and 201 days
15. Essendon – 24 years and 259 days*
16. Hawthorn – 24 years and 307 days
17. North Melbourne – 25 years and 55 days
18. Fremantle – 25 years and 157 days

Average games played – by club

1. North Melbourne – 93.9
2. Hawthorn – 86.6
3. Fremantle – 86.3
4. West Coast – 77.9
5. Geelong – 77.3
6. Essendon – 75.5*
7. Port Adelaide – 72.9
8. Richmond – 71
9. Collingwood – 69.5
10. Sydney Swans – 68.4
11. Adelaide – 62.5
12. Carlton – 60.4
13. St Kilda – 60.2
14. Gold Coast – 59.1
15. Western Bulldogs – 57.7
16. Melbourne – 57.5
17. Greater Western Sydney – 56.9
18. Brisbane Lions – 49

*Please note that the Champion Data statistics were calculated prior to Essendon's suspensions/inclusion of top-up players