Malthouse highlighted this belief in ‘Mick’s Message’ sent to all Collingwood members every week.
“I believe playing young players isn’t anything to get caught-up in. Age is nothing. It’s reflective but you can’t look at age and say it’s a reason why you can’t make it and a reason why you do make it,” Malthouse said.
“You just to have the same responsibilities for the younger players as you hold for the older players. There are no concessions given. And there definitely cannot be any concessions given in the finals series. All players are picked on merit and they are expected to hold up.”
Collingwood’s youth has been a driving force behind the club’s success over the past two years, with the Magpies having so far blooded five debutants in 2008 (John Anthony, Chris Dawes, Nathan Brown, John McCarthy and Sharrod Wellingham), after nine players made their AFL debuts in the black and white in 2007.
Many of these players have clearly benefited from being expected to contribute at a level that will help the side succeed, as opposed to being young players merely gaining experience at the highest level.
Malthouse is on the eve of coaching his 16th final series which will take him to a tie for fourth-spot on the all-time list of coaches. The list includes coaching greats such as Jock McHale (27 times), Kevin Sheedy (19 times), Allan Jeans (17 times) and Dick Reynolds (16 times).
Malthouse led Footscray to the finals in 1985, coached West Coast to an amazing 10-consectuive finals appearances (1990-1999) and will run out on Saturday for his 5th finals campaign with the Magpies this Saturday afternoon.
