COLLINGWOOD HAS MADE SIX CHANGES: to its senior and rookie lists as it prepares for the upcoming trading period and drafts. ALAN DIDAK, DARREN JOLLY, JORDAN RUSSELL, and ANDREW KRAKOUER have been informed that they will not be offered new contracts, with rookies BEN RICHMOND and MICHAEL HARTLEY also to depart. The curtain on Didak’s distinguished Collingwood career falls after 13 seasons. The mercurial number 4, fondly known as ‘Dids’, played 218 games in black and white and was a prominent figure in a period that saw the Magpies play in five grand finals and claim the premiership in 2010. A two-time All-Australian (2006/2010) and Copeland Trophy winner (2006), Didak was a fan favourite to the end for his once sublime finishing and forward 50 creativity, something that was unfortunately curtailed by injury in his last seasons. The 30 year-old was seen on only 16 occasions across the 2012/13 campaigns. Nonetheless, Didak is looking to a future in the game, be it as a player or otherwise. “I’ve had an incredible time at Collingwood. We won a lot of games, won a premiership and I met some lifelong friends. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and I know I’m going to miss playing in front of the black and white army. I owe them a lot. But I’m not ready for retirement,” Didak said. “The ride has another lap or two to go, I hope.” Collingwood Director of Football, Rodney Eade, who coached against Didak on many occasions, remembers a player who needed very few touches to influence a match. Or decide one. “Alan was such a threat. If he was in the game you were in trouble but even when he wasn’t you were concerned that he was going to conjure something and spark a reaction. A couple of touches from ‘Dids’ and Collingwood would often rally and rise,” Eade said.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 04:31:56 +0000
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