Supplemental Selection Period - how it works & invitees

[David]

[Presti35]

Happy with our decisions here. And very unique to take 3 players via SSP.
Congrats to Josh Eyre, Jack Bytel, and Lachie Sullivan.

Sad for Campbell Hustwaite, Sam Sofronidis, and Brynn Teakle. But 6 guys were fighting for 3 spots. (Almost 4) Will Hustwaite return to the VFL? Could Teakle make the move to our VFL list? One can only assume they would be on our radar if we end up with a MSD pick.

Heard Sofronidis is trying out for Essendon. Who else is trying out there? How many spots do they have? Do they enjoy our sloppy seconds? Would they have invited Sullivan or Bytel had we passed on them? They are desperate for key position depth and for big bodied mids. Bytel and Sullivan both would have suited them, as did Carmichael when we took him a few years back. 2 former Essendon players have been taken in the SSP; Voss at Freo and Eyre with the Pies!

[Take_a_Screamer]

Here are the trio speaking to the media...

https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/1491842/it-was-quite-overwhelming-eyre-byte-and-sullivan-speak-to-the-media?modal=true&publishFrom=1708308159001&type=video&videoId=1491842


Josh Eyre targets April return after Collingwood SSP signings

Collingwood recruit Josh Eyre was convinced his AFL career was over after a serious hamstring injury just 10 days ago during his quest for one of three remaining lists spot with the reigning premiers.

But he’s now determined to repay their faith after the key defender was picked up alongside midfield duo Lachie Sullivan and Jack Bytel last week, despite the hamstring injury which he says will keep him out until at least late April.

https://thewest.com.au/news/afl-2024-josh-eyre-targets-april-return-after-collingwood-ssp-signings-c-13646018

[stui magpie]

[K]

[Take_a_Screamer]

On this reckoning below, Eyre should be back mid April to mid May...

---
Newly signed Magpie Josh Eyre is walking pain free after undergoing surgery on the hamstring he injured prior to the conclusion of the Supplementary Selection Period.

The 21-year-old will continue his recovery, with a standard guideline for an injury of his nature anywhere between 10 and 14 weeks.

https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1492400/injury-update-pre-season

[Presti35]

Sofronidis did not get a gig for Essendon. Wonder if he'll get a spot for their VFL team... or even ours? Or does he go back to VAFA?

[Presti35]

Heard that Sofronidis will now play for Collingwoods VFL side this year? Any confirmation?

[piedys]

[Presti35]

Seeing him in the same team with Cox... That'd be weird.
Jack did ask when Tassy was coming in, but at 35, thats not going to happen. When will they enter the comp? He'll be 37 or 38 by then.

[Presti35]

[David]

So ... what's the actual plan with these guys? Tbh, when we picked them up, I thought they'd be offering an immediate shot of experience and maturity to the side, but they're nowhere to be seen at selection so far (obviously Eyre is out of action). Is there any chance we see any of them in the senior team soon?

[Jezza]

^ From what I've read, Lachie Sullivan among the three players selected during the SSP is the most likely to break into the side if spots open up.
Mature aged player at 26 and apparently trained strongly over the pre-season.

[Charlie Oneeye]

I think moving on the young Draper and Murley..and to an extent Bianco, left gaps open for the supplementary players to backfill.

[The Black and White Lion]

Still think we loved Bianco on one year too soon. We will have to wait and see what Sullivan and Bytel produce yet before we say too much. Draper and Murley turned out to be more late pick misses. But then most of our draft picks are in that range when we keep trading out the good ones hoping for rough diamonds. I like that the SSP lets you get a taste of the player in the club enviro across the summer before you pick them up. Reckon we should save more of those late round speculative draft picks for SSP going forward