The decision to switch wingman/defender Tyson Goldsack into an attacking role has been a masterstroke, according to Collingwood assistant coach Rodney Eade.
The Magpies, who host winless Gold Coast in their AFL round-10 game at the MCG on Sunday, have made a 7-2 start despite having stars like Chris Tarrant and Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan on the sidelines.
Andrew Krakouer, Brent Macaffer, Luke Ball and Lachie Keeffe have all suffered major knee injuries and Ben Johnson (shoulder) is also expected to be out for the rest of the 2012 season.
Goldsack, with 10 goals this season in a career total of 17 from 78 games, is one of Collingwood’s success stories alongside other emerging players such as Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom.
While all three are 2010 premiership players, they’ve been called upon to play more senior roles in 2012 under new coach Nathan Buckley.
Goldsack played only 13 games in 2011 after battling illness during the pre-season.
“He has had a good pre-season and that has given him confidence and continuity,” Eade told AAP this week.
“Nathan has moved him forward. It has been a stroke of genius.
“His ability to put pressure on and kick goals has been very handy.
“With Krakouer and Macaffer out we’ve been down in that speed area.
“He (Goldsack) is a dangerous player, 193 centimetres and really quick.”
Eade said second-year player Ben Sinclair was another who had added some sizzle to the Magpies around the packs, although his finishing skills need some work.
“Most of those youngsters have grabbed their opportunities but we’ll certainly welcome getting back those top players,” Eade said.
Eade said midfielder Swan (hamstring) and versatile defender Tarrant (calf) were both expected to return for next week’s game against Melbourne.
While the Magpies have regained key defender Nathan Brown and recalled Tom Young this week, they’ve lost premiership half-back Heath Shaw to a calf injury and Keeffe’s season is over after breaking down in last week’s win over Adelaide.
Gold Coast have named Luke Russell, Aaron Hall and Tom Hickey for Seb Tape, Jeremy Taylor and 206cm ruckman Zac Smith.
Suns skipper Gary Ablett, a two-time premiership player at Geelong, is doing his best to shake his side into a winning combination.
Ablett made no apologies for grabbing Thompson to make a point during Gold Coast’s round-nine loss to lowly Port Adelaide, saying he would do it again.
While Ablett is averaging 35 disposals per game this season, Eade says the Magpies will avoid placing a heavy tag on the 2009 Brownlow Medallist.
“Gary’s had 40 touches in some games and they haven’t won. Sometimes you can get too focused on one individual,” warned Eade.
“They’ve got some very talented young players like Harley Bennell, Sam Day, Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia.”
