The Magpies have several big questions looming into the 2010 season. Are the Magpies top 2 material as coach Mick Malthouse says? And, as pointed out by twitter bud, Mollyfud, will Malthouse/Buckley end up in a Leno/O’Brien brawl? And, if so, who’s Dave Letterman??

Craig our 'Dreamteam expert' thinks Pendlebury is more value than his Dane Swan, what do you think?

Well, the price makers of “Dreamteam” have put their hands up to answer the first question making the Magpie list the most expensive in the league. My answer is that they’re extremely overpriced.

The Magpies have what I believe to be the 2nd hardest draw in the league (.512) & this year play the Cats (1st time in 7 years), Blues, Hawks Saints & Dogs twice. Even Malthouse had a press conference protest at the draw (awww!).

And I’m expecting a protest of other sorts leaving out “you know who”. But, these previews are all about bargains not previewing the measuring sticks.

The list, new & old, that had game time average 1063 points at a cost of $300,000 on average.

Best Buys

Scott Pendelbury (midfield) $454,700 – Pendlebury is arguably a better bargain than Dane Swan. He racked up 30 disposals or more 7 times in 2009including a career high 39 .vs. Melbourne & 22 kicks .vs. Wets Coast.

Averaging 98.3 in 2009, think long, think hard before pressing the “accept” button on Swan & letting Pendlebury go.

Darren Jolly (ruck) $381,500 – All of rave from practice games (from experts anyway) has been for the former Sydney & Melbourne big man. And why not when you’re ranked 1st in hitouts & 2nd in hitouts per game?

The big men are going to be expensive this season.

Dale Thomas (forward) $336,300 – Not one to be bias even though I can’t stand Thomas, but he was ranked 20th in goal assists. And it wasn’t a great year stats wise with a 76.5 average & a career high 13 handballs .vs. Fremantle.

Maybe one bad year was all that Thomas needed to change some personal habits.

John Anthony (forward) $305,900 – Famous as “the man with two first names”, Anthony burst onto the scene in 2009 with career highs in disposals, kicks & marks. Not high numbers, but for a forward, they’re good enough to get you 22 games.

Anthony was ranked 11th in goals, 15th in goals contributed & 18th in goals per game.

Brad Dick (forward) $271,800 – Definitely a special price I’ve found here. Amongst the rising stars, Dick ranked 1st in goals contributed, 2nd in goals, goal assists, goal assists per game & goals contributed per game, 4th in goals per game & 7th in inside 50s & tackles.

My suggestion is get on because the price tag is very short by around $41,500.

Alan Toovey (defence) $248,200 – Toovey may have averaged only 56.5 per game, but he put in a full 22 games for 2009. Toovey had career highs of 22 disposals .vs. West Coast & 12 kicks .vs. Nth Melbourne.

If Brendan Goddard is the measuring stick in defence, Toovey is around $70 cheaper & at 22 years of age, he can only get better.

Risky Bargain Buy

Cameron Wood (ruck) $320,000 – Wood played 13 games at an average of 72.8 & ranked 19th in hitouts per game. But, will he get a game?? The supposed big trade from 2 years back must be feeling slightly peeved now that Darren Jolly is there.

Collingwood Top 10 2009

1. Dane Swan (midfield) $523,500
2. Tarkyn Lockyer (forward) $409,800
3. Leon Davis (forward) $435,400
4. Shane O’Bree (midfield) $361,900
5. Scott Pendlebury (midfield) $454,700
6. Alan Didak (forward) $451,300
7. Darren Jolly (ruck) $381,500
8. Heath Shaw (defence) $365,400
9. Travis Cloke (forward) $350,100
10. Nick Maxwell (defence) $332,000

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