'Too old': Jamie Elliott act to force Collingwood's rivals into major rethink
Jamie Elliott, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were the stars of the show for Collingwood as they obliterated the Hawks 16.11 (107) to 8.8 (56) win on Friday night and the Magpies' list management could be set to force a rethink for rivals. Elliott's latest five-goal display for the Magpies has once again shown rivals Collingwood are not going to slow down this year, despite boasting the oldest average age of any squad in the AFL.
Only last year, coach Craig McRae was facing calls on his veterans after Collingwood suffered in 2024 and were carrying veterans Pendlebury (37) and Sidebottom (34) into the current campaign. But the coach stuck by his s and even promoted Elliott into the leadership group.
And the Magpies' 'Dad's Army' have proved that age will not deter this group with a number of their veterans making a mockery of the younger Hawks side on Friday. Collingwood entered the clash with the Hawks with an average age of 28 years and seven months.
After being managed last week, Sidebottom returned with 27 possessions and two goals in a superb display at the MCG. This included one long goal that saw him tear down the wing. While Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos was at his influential best again, it was forward Elliott that stole the show.
On track for a career-best season at 32 years old, Elliott blasted five goals in a player-of-the-match display. This took him equal top of the Coleman Medal sitting alongside Geelong star Jeremy Cameron on 33. Elliott is only six goals short of his career-best tally of 39 in a season, which he achieved back in 2023. And Elliott and Sidebottom's latest display against a hungry-Hawks outfit have prompted the question over whether team's will re-evaluate their list management going forward.
Collingwood have stuck by their veterans when their were calls to move some of them on. Calls have grown for Elliott to be offered a two-year deal to keep him at the club and the forward is certainly proving it would be a bargain.
Code Sports reporter Daniel Cherny pointed out Collingwood are asking the question of 'how old is too old?" with their current crop of veterans pushing the boundaries. This could see a change in how list management is thought out going forward with Sidebottom, Pendleburry and co defying the criticism.
Would not at all be surprised if Collingwood's performance this season leads to a complete recalibration of list management and the "how old is too old?" question. Pies tonight had an average age of 28 years and seven months, with Sidebottom (34) and Elliott (32) among best.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) May 30, 2025
Disappointing result but gonna give Collingwood a big wrap here. People writing them off because of a bad year last season, and a few blokes in their 30's. Those blokes were the difference tonight. Sidebottom and Elliott are bloody champions and still underrated #AFLPiesHawks
— Timbo 🟡🟤 (@Tom074009) May 30, 2025
Collingwood simply have to offer Jamie Elliott at least a 2 year deal now. He's earned that and more. And the Lions are after him again #gopies
— Matt (@Mattys123) May 31, 2025
Jamie Elliot is one of the few Collingwood players I love, doesn't play for free kicks, doesn't whinge to the umpire like half of them do, just gets on with it and is a sensational match-winning player. Would love him on your team. #AFLPiesHawks
— Samuel Power 🇦🇺 (@SamuelPower68) May 30, 2025
While fans were impressed with how sharp Collingwood were, so was Hawks coach Sam Mitchell. Speaking after the game, Mitchell talked about his briefing with the players after they were thoroughly outplayed by a number of veterans.
"I asked them actually," Mitchell said about his lengthy post-game meeting with the players. "Just had a bit of a discussion around 'let it all out', 'what's going on?', and 'where are you at?', and 'where are we at?', and 'what do you think?'.
"I think it was pretty clear to everyone that was here and those watching at home, we're at this point, miles off it. That Collingwood team are super sharp. We played Brisbane last week, and they were very good as well, but that was another level today. So that's what we need to aspire to and above to beat them when it matters."
Mitchell's words resonated with Ginnivan. The former Collingwood star was one of the Hawks' best in the defeat having kicked three goals and produced 31 possessions.
But the youngster admitted the team could be in for a hard week at training after Collingwood won the tackle count 82-38 having suggested players should "bring the mouthguards". "Telling some hard truths," Ginnivan told Channel 7 after their meeting with Mitchell. "We've done it before, and we always respond well to that."
"Bring the mouthguards to training."Jack Ginnivan shares how the Hawks reacted to their loss to the Pies.#AFLPiesHawks pic.twitter.com/qfRXVgaInD
— AFL (@AFL) May 30, 2025
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