Brody Mihocek is arguably the focal point of one of the oldest forward lines ever to be put out on an AFL field. While it is Jamie Elliott who leads the team goalkicking, Checkers is just as important for the Magpies to make their structure work alongside fellow dinosaurs in Daniel McStay and Tim Membrey. Long gone are the days when he would hit the logos a dozen times a game, with his role starting closer and closer to the goalsquare as time has gone on. His goals are a bonus, it's his contest and work off the ball that are his primary KPIs.
Brody Mihocek is arguably the focal point of one of the oldest forward lines ever to be put out on an AFL field. While it is Jamie Elliott who leads the team goalkicking, Checkers is just as important for the Magpies to make their structure work alongside fellow dinosaurs in Daniel McStay and Tim Membrey. Long gone are the days when he would hit the logos a dozen times a game, with his role starting closer and closer to the goalsquare as time has gone on. His goals are a bonus, it's his contest and work off the ball that are his primary KPIs.
Brody Mihocek is playing full forward for the team leading the AFL ladder, and with the best percentage. In years gone by that would automatically imply that he would be a contender for the Coleman Medal, but the Magpies' game is based mostly on its #1 defence, not pure firepower up front. Mihocek's role has evolved from a traditional centre half forward during his prime to mostly starting out of the goalsquare nowadays, with his gallops upfield to the logos on centre wing less frequent as his body ages. He is now a roleplayer, as are most Pies not named Daicos.
Brody Mihocek has already had time on the sidelines due injury this season, a signifier of the oldest list the AFL which put out the oldest 23 in history. Availability is the best ability for a footballer, and Collingwood's fate in 2025 will be strongly linked to how many weeks they can get old stagers like De Goey on the park in something approaching full match fitness. When he is fit and firing he can still change games off his own boot, albeit he hasn't done that for a while now due to lacking continuity. As a fantasy asset he is a frustrating own, and a spot start at best.
Might check on others?
All boxes were ticked in Brody Mihocek's 2019 in finishing as the club's top goalkicker with 36.24 from an average of six marks per game. Five fantasy tons teased many coaches who ended up riding the roller coaster, subsequently let down by a number of sub-60s as well. Mihocek has no doubts over his job security and lined up at centre half-forward for every match last season. If you can deal with the typical inconsistency of a key forward, the hope of the occasional big score is enough motivation to grab him with a pick in the closing rounds.
Cut a cheque for Mihocek
After plugging away in the VFL for years mostly in defence, Brody Mihocek made his AFL debut in round 11 last year as a key forward with four goals, after which he cemented his position in the starting lineup with 29 goals from 16 matches. Mihocek was occasionally switched to the back line when required by Nathan Buckley, but was preferred as a forward. Mihocek went so well at CHF that the Pies felt able to swing Darcy Moore to defence, where he will stay if fit. The big-bodied, mature-aged player won’t score well enough to warrant a fantasy draft selection, but Mihocek will be an important factor in Collingwood’s 2019 campaign to go one better following the grand final loss.
Mihocek's new borough
Among the best for Port Melbourne in last year's VFL grand final, Brody Mihocek averaged 16 disposals and six marks before belatedly joining the Magpies as a mature-aged rookie. If Mihocek does make the seniors early it will probably be as injury replacement for one of the Pies' ageing key position defenders. That sort of role suggests he can be left on the fantasy sidelines.
