AFL Draft: Collingwood send clear-cut message after double draft coup

“If players can’t run in our system, they can’t play.” Collingwood send clear-cut message after….

“If players can’t run in our system, they can’t play.”

Collingwood’s recruitment strategy has become crystal clear ahead of the club’s premiership defence: if you can’t run, you can’t play.

The Magpies swooped on two daring teenagers with their first-round National Draught picks, taking Harry DeMattia on the first night of the count before returning to the top of the order with the acquisition of Hawthorn NGA talent Tew Jiath.

DeMattia, who was selected with the 25th overall pick on Monday night, is a versatile talent who can play out of defence or through midfield, with his run-and-carry game and overall leadership qualities distinguishing him from the rest of his draught class.

Jiath, the younger brother of Hawks defender Changkuoth Jiath, had a strong Talent League season with Gippsland this year, emerging as a promising defensive player.

The Magpies signed the exciting young pair as part of a plan to add more run and speed to their system, with recruitment manager Derek Hine explaining the club’s thinking behind their two choices.

“Harry was a player that we feel really plays the way we do, as does TJ,” Hine said on Tuesday.

“Players who can’t run in our system can’t play.” The two boys we brought in are more than capable of doing so. Both boys have excellent character, demonstrate leadership qualities, and other factors that were taken into account.