There is “no reason” why Collingwood can’t win the 2022 premiership, according to David King, with the club even compared to the ‘Baby Bombers’ of 1993.
The Magpies are running hot on a 10-match winning streak to sit in third – just one win off top spot after 20 rounds.
And while the criticism has been that they’ve beaten 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th in that run of victories, there’s also been wins over Fremantle, Carlton and Melbourne.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“You can say what you like about the numbers, the stats, the possessions,” King said on AFL360.
“They turn up for each other – this is building something quite special.
“There’s no reason why they can’t do it this year – we saw Chris Scott do it first year, we saw Rodney Eade make a grand finale his first year, (Luke) Beveridge and (John) Longmire win it in their second year – this is big, come with it.”
AFL360 co-host Mark Robinson laughed as he admitted: “I’m on the dark side already, I’m all in on Collingwood”.
“It might be the Baby Bombers of ’93 all over again,” he said.
The Essendon premiership side were dubbed Baby Bombers for having 12 players aged under 25 years in that winning team.
Against Port Adelaide last weekend, the Pies had 10 players under the age of 25, and two players currently aged 25.
King highlighted the fact Collingwood are outrunning their opponents as one of the best features of their game.
“I don’t know how you can just put a line through them,” he said.
“They are doing this better than the comp – they are gut running. Their running and power running is enabling them to end up with an extra number.
“Their run and link, kick forward, their demand for corridor we all see. But we don’t recognize their desire to just work harder than the opposition.
“This is a club in sync.”
King said every club needed a point of difference to win the AFL premiership.
“Maybe (Collingwood’s) is not in the stats, it’s on effort. It’s on a buy-in. (Craig McRae) may just be a special coach,” King said.
“What I do love is what they are doing for each other.”
Statistics show that the Pies share one similar trait with the premiers of the past two seasons – Melbourne and Richmond – and it’s their ranking for what they without the footy.
The Magpies are currently the best ranked team in the competition – like Melbourne were in 2021, while Richmond were ranked fourth when they took the flag in 2020.
Collingwood do have a tough run home with games to come against Melbourne, Sydney (away) and Carlton – who could be battling for finals by Round 23.
.