AFL Squad Average Age 2025: Collingwood Has Oldest List on Record
The 2025 AFL season is shaping up to be a historic one, with Collingwood making headlines for fielding the oldest list on record. Known for their storied history and consistent performances, the Magpies are taking an unconventional path this year by relying on experience to drive their success. Let’s explore what this means for the team, the league, and their chances of maintaining dominance in an ever-evolving AFL landscape.
Collingwood’s Historic List
As of the start of the 2025 AFL season, Collingwood’s squad boasts an average age of 29.4 years, the highest in league history. This milestone surpasses previous records and highlights the Magpies’ strategic focus on retaining experienced players rather than undergoing a significant rebuild.
The squad includes numerous veterans who have been pivotal to Collingwood’s recent success, including captain Scott Pendlebury, who remains a key figure even as he approaches his 40th birthday. While many teams aim to balance youth with experience, the Magpies have leaned heavily into their veteran core, trusting their ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
Why Collingwood Has Embraced Experience
Collingwood’s decision to field such an experienced list is rooted in several factors:
- Sustained Premiership Contention
Collingwood has been a powerhouse in recent years, consistently reaching finals and contending for premierships. Rather than rebuild with younger players, they have opted to double down on their experienced stars, believing they have the leadership and skill to remain at the top. - Stability and Chemistry
Retaining older players ensures continuity within the team. Long-standing relationships between players like Steele Sidebottom, Darcy Moore, and Jack Crisp provide on-field cohesion that can be hard to replicate with a younger, less experienced squad. - Leveraging Veteran Knowledge
Veterans bring a wealth of tactical knowledge and the ability to stay composed under pressure. Collingwood’s coaching staff, led by Craig McRae, seems to value this attribute highly as they push for short-term success.
Challenges of an Older List
While the benefits of experience are undeniable, relying on an older squad is not without its challenges.
- Injury Risk
Older players are more prone to injuries and slower recovery times, which can strain team depth over the course of a demanding AFL season. For Collingwood, ensuring player fitness and managing workloads will be critical. - Decline in Physical Performance
As players age, maintaining peak physical condition becomes increasingly difficult. While veterans can compensate with skill and game sense, they may struggle to match the athleticism and speed of younger opponents. - Limited Long-Term Outlook
With such a veteran-heavy squad, Collingwood may face challenges transitioning to younger talent in the future. A lack of emerging stars could lead to a significant decline when their older players eventually retire.
How Collingwood’s List Compares to Other Teams
Across the AFL, most teams maintain an average squad age between 24 and 27 years, striking a balance between youthful potential and seasoned experience. Collingwood’s 29.4 years stands in stark contrast, with only a few other teams like Geelong and Richmond fielding similarly veteran-heavy lists in recent years.
However, it’s worth noting that experience often correlates with success. Geelong’s 2022 premiership-winning side had one of the oldest lists that season, demonstrating that age can be an asset when managed effectively.
Can Collingwood Make It Work?
Collingwood’s reliance on their veteran core will undoubtedly be one of the defining storylines of the 2025 AFL season. Success will hinge on several factors:
- Player Management: Ensuring that older players remain fit and available for key games will be crucial. Expect Collingwood to employ rest rotations and load management strategies to optimize performance.
- Emerging Talent: While veterans dominate the squad, younger players like Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos will be expected to shoulder more responsibility and emerge as the next generation of Magpies leaders.
- Strategic Adjustments: The coaching staff will need to tailor their game plan to maximize the strengths of their older players while mitigating potential weaknesses like reduced speed and endurance.
The Verdict
Collingwood’s record-breaking list age is a bold gamble that could pay off with another premiership—or expose the risks of relying too heavily on veterans. For fans and analysts alike, the 2025 season will be a fascinating case study in how experience and leadership can impact performance in the AFL.
As the season unfolds, one thing is clear: Collingwood’s strategy ensures they will remain one of the most talked-about teams in the league.
