Star Pies duo to spend time at half-back

Star Collingwood midfielders Scott Pendlebury and Taylor Adams could spend time at half-back during the 2018 season.

Vice-Captain Taylor Adams said that the pair had been training in a variety of roles during the pre-season in a bid to strengthen their chances for a return to September action.

The 2017 Collingwood B&F Runner-Up said numerous players would play new roles in 2018.

“You’ll definitely see Jack Crisp down back. I dare say you’ll see myself and Pendles (Scott Pendlebury) play some sort of backline time,” Adams told RSN927.

“I’ve spent a little bit of time down back this pre-season as well as playing midfield. You’ll definitely see guys in new roles."

Speaking at the Magpies' Gold Coast training camp, Adams was buoyant about the club's prospects for the new year and pleased with the changes made at the Holden Centre.

“We know our best footy is good enough. We’ve just got to get ourselves to a standard in the gym, on the track, mentality so we can withstand teams that have beaten us in the past," Adams said.

“We’ve brought in some quality people in admin, team development and coaching. I’ve certainly noticed a change.

“I think it’s the right time to have a freshen up at the footy club. The guys that have come in have had an impact, in terms of if it will work on field, I have no idea and we won’t until Round 1.”

Match simulation has been a key focus for the 'Pies during the pre-season, even trialling the new AFLX format, where Collingwood will feature on the 15th of February.

“I’ve really enjoyed the camp and the feedback’s been really good from the players and the coaches,” Adams said.

“This is the most enjoyable time of the pre-season because it’s almost like game mode. The runners come off a little bit and we’re “playing as much footy as we can.

“We trialled AFLX about a week ago and found it really solid as a conditioning block.”

The Collingwood vice-captain also noted small forward Jamie Elliott is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ankle injury and hopeful of playing round one against the Hawks.