Player Rater

1st September 2011 Category: General

Image: Slattery Media Group

It's been smooth sailing for Collingwood this season on the injury front - they've used less players (33) than any other team in the competition. But on the run-in to the finals, they've hit some minor bumps in the road. Suspension will see Dale Thomas miss the first game of the finals and a thumb injury to captain, Nick Maxwell has raised doubt over the defenders return.

Throughout the season Collingwood have ignored the fluctuating form of veterans Alan Didak, Nick Maxwell and (to a lesser extent) Harry O'Brien. There's no indication that this will change during the finals. Mick Malthouse has already stated that Maxwell will automatically return to the team once he overcomes his thumb injury. The ratings below provide an indication of the where those players stand in real terms.

• Cameron Wood was not included because for most of the season Collingwood have only selected one of Jolly (6.64) or Wood (6.31).
• Leigh Brown (6.07) was included ahead of Didak (6.10) because he plays as the second ruckman.

Collingwood's best 22:

FB: Leon Davis (6.99), Chris Tarrant (6.61), Alan Toovey (6.23)

HB: Heath Shaw (7.23), Ben Reid (6.71), Harry O'Brien (6.42)

C: Dale Thomas (7.46), Scott Pendlebury (7.76), Ben Johnson (6.88)

HF: Steele Sidebottom (6.83), Travis Cloke (7.33), Dayne Beams (6.97)

FF: Andrew Krakouer (6.46), Chris Dawes (6.14), Alex Fasolo (6.42)

Ruck: Darren Jolly (6.64), Dane Swan (7.89), Luke Ball (7.36)

Int: Sharrod Wellingham (6.49), Jarryd Blair (6.24), Leigh Brown (6.07), Simon Buckley (SUB) (6.23)

Click here for a full list of ratings