during the round one AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.

Legendary journalist Mike Sheahan has slammed Collingwood's start players after their poor performance in their 34-point loss to Hawthorn last Saturday night.

The Magpies allowed Hawk Tom Mitchell to collect 54 disposals, the second time he has amassed over 50 touches in his career, and the second time he's done it against Collingwood.

Sheahan admits he's jumped off the Pies after their performance, and claims their A-graders just aren't doing enough.

“I’ve changed my mind about Collingwood, I’ve been optimistic about them for 18 months,” Sheahan told SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning.

“They haven’t got a good list. I thought they had six A-graders or players almost on the verge of it.

“This will get me in some strife, but I don’t think Scott Pendlebury is an A-grader anymore.

“He’s a very good player, but I don’t think he’s a bloke that’s going to change the course of a match and that’s how I determine A-graders.

“I think Brodie Grundy’s almost a very good ruckman, Jamie Elliott’s probably their most valuable player and he’s not playing, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams can’t kick and so I’ve just downgraded them.

“To be honest, I would’ve had them in the mix for seven, eight or nine, but the problem is they’re the same mistakes (from 2017).”

Collingwood will need to turn their fortunes around quickly, as they face GWS, Carlton Adelaide, Essendon and Richmond over the next five weeks.