CTV> Mick Malthouse fronts the media on Monday morningAfter a successful pre-season campaign, Mick Malthouse believes there are a host of young Magpies in contention for round one.
“There are a number of players who have put their hand up by playing pretty well in the NAB Cup series”, Malthouse said.
“We will take everything into consideration (for round one selection). We are already a very young side and we have to be careful that we don’t over expose that area.
“I don’t look at birth certificates but one has to consider how many young players you actually have on the ground at the same time.”
Malthouse has been impressed by the play of Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom during the NAB Cup competition but the senior coach suggested a spot in the senior side on Saturday was no certainty.
“As far as Sidebottom and Beams, well they are fresh young players who haven’t sampled AFL football.
“If we feel they can compete and be ready for a first, second and third game well we will play them.
“(But) they also have to earn their spot. It’s not a matter of saying we need to play fresh young players.
“It’s important to have the right balance at the right time without overstretching the list."
After blooding five debutants last season, Collingwood has a large pool of young players it can select from this year.
“Players like Chris Dawes, Jack Anthony, Nathan Brown, and John McCarthy are all young players who haven’t played a lot of games.
“If their form is up they will play.”
