The three Magpies who have surprised Bolton in his first year at Collingwood

Collingwood assistant coach Brendon Bolton has revealed three Magpies he’s been surprised by since joining the club over the off-season.

Bolton and former Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch were among the first appointments to Craig McRae’s new-look panel, with the club rebounding impressively to start 2022.

Friday night’s game is the first time former Bulldog Patrick Lipinski has faced his old club in the new colours, and Bolton admitted he’d been taken by the 23-year-old.

“I’ve been really pleased with the way he (Lipinski) transitions up and down the ground,” he told AFL Nation before the first bounce in the club’s clash against the Dogs.

“I was surprised, I didn’t realise from afar, I’ve obviously coded a lot of vision of him but he transitions far better than I thought, both offensively and defensively, and gives us a real good balance runner there.

“We’ve got some bulls in there like Taylor Adams that go and hunt the ball, and I think Lipinski gives us some balance both ways.”

Lipinski is currently enjoying a career-best season after being blessed with more midfield minutes at Collingwood, averaging 25 disposals four inside 50s and three clearances a game in 2022.

Asked if any others had surprised the former Blues coach, Bolton named Jamie Elliot and Jeremy Howe.

Elliot is currently out long-term with a shoulder injury, while Howe has played every game this year in a consistent season across half-back.

“There’s been quite a few (that have surprised me),” Bolton added.

“Although he’s not playing at the moment, I was surprised with the leadership and understanding of the game that Jamie Elliot has.

“He was a real organiser and leader, both up front and when he went into the centre bounces, so that was a real surprise, it was more leadership within the group and it was just a matter of asking and probing enough to understand what they think and feel inside.

“Jeremy Howe was another one, his leadership around the game and how all the other layers affect the defence or offence, I think we’ve got a lot of players that could potentially coach in the future.”

Bolton parted ways with Carlton midway through his fourth season in 2019 and had been working as an assistant at Hawthorn before joining the Magpies.

He currently holds the role of director of coaching, while he also looks after the club’s midfield.