Tim Watson has thrown his weight behind Collingwood to lift the 2025 AFL premiership, despite the Magpies stumbling into September with patchy form.
Craig McRae’s side lost five of their last six games before edging Melbourne in Round 24, a run that cost them top spot on the ladder and raised doubts about their credentials.
They open their finals campaign in Thursday night’s Qualifying Final against Adelaide at the Oval.
‘I haven’t given up on Collingwood’
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Watson admitted the Pies had looked below their best but refused to rule them out. “Are you holding your breath on Collingwood? Or are you now believing that what we saw over the last six or so weeks is real and alarming in some way?” he asked co-host Garry Lyon.
Lyon compared the win-loss records of all finalists, noting Collingwood’s modest “five of 10”, but conceded they remained dangerous. Watson was more bullish. “The last time they went over to Adelaide, they didn’t convert, but had 71 inside 50s on a wet night,” he said, referencing their Round 23 near-miss against the Crows.
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“It was a narrow loss against a really good team and in front of a hostile crowd. In that environment, that’s a difficult thing to overcome. I haven’t given up on Collingwood. I still think Collingwood are going to win the flag.”
The Pies and Crows get the finals underway on Thursday evening, with first bounce set for 7:40 pm AEST.