Collingwood's strong focus on bolstering its midfield stocks didn't shock anyone as they drafted three onballers as well as NGA graduate Zac McCarthy.
The Pies were missing in action on the opening night of the 2025 AFL Draft, but had a suite of picks to use on Thursday from 32 onwards.
The first cab off the rank was Brisbane Academy player Tyan Prindable (Pick 32), who was followed by Sam Swadling (Pick 37), McCarthy (Pick 55) and Angus Anderson (Pick 57).
Collingwood national recruiting manager Shane O'Bree discussed the reasoning behind the extreme focus on the variety of midfielders.
"Tyan Prindable was our first pick," O'Bree said following the completion of the 2025 draft.
"We really like his clearance work. He's contested work. He's very clean in his hands. He's played against men for a few years now, so we feel that time, getting him in the program now, he'll adapt pretty quickly and might be able to complement our midfield group.
"Sam Swadling. Same again. A bit different this time, where he's more outside. He's got a nice side step, good skills, both sides of the body. Again, he's come through all the West Australian programs. Played WAFL this year for West Perth, and he adapted to the level straight away. So we're pretty confident that Sam will fit that role.
"And then, obviously, the last pick was Angus Anderson from the Sturt Football Club.
"He's done it the hard way, like it's when you go back and watch his footy as an under-18 kid in the Sydney Academy. He's a big boy. He's tough. But what he's done over the journey, he's got a lot fitter and watching him play in this year's Grand Final, he's clearly the best on ground. He's got a lot of attributes.
"We feel that we're getting them into the program will see them improve."
Anderson was taken as a mature-ager and was deemed a left-field option after starring for Sturt in the SANFL.
He previously spent time at Sydney's Academy, but his big frame and versatility were what attracted the Pies when he was available late in the draft.
"He's adapted to different positions, too," O'Bree added.
"Like as a junior, he was just purely an inside mid, but over the last two years, he's been able to play on the wing, the high forward roles, deep forward as well. So I think he's going to be a midfielder for us, but we can see him playing different roles as well."
As for McCarthy, the Pies were pleasantly "surprised" that he slipped to Pick 55 without a bid from a rival club.
"Zac's a good player," O'Bree said of the NGA product.
"He's a young, developing, tall, athletic attributes. He's going to take time, and we're prepared to do that. We were a bit nervous. We thought teams would bid on him early stages. But for whatever reason, he got through that."
The Pies are still mulling over who to choose for their final rookie list spot in tomorrow's intake.
Father-son prospect Tom McGuane and NGA talent Jai Saxena are both vying for a place at the KGM Centre, a facility they are all too familiar with.
"We'll make that in the morning, but it's obviously a tough time for those guys. Both have been in our program. We've only got one pick. So we're gonna pick one of those guys," O'Bree.
