Cornes grills Magpies for what they did after premiership

Kane Cornes has raised the alarm around Collingwood's list management after their 2023 premiership.

The Pies have started their 2024 season 0-2, copping a 32-point loss at the hands of GWS in Opening Round, then a 33-point loss to Sydney in round one.

The Port Adelaide champion says the Magpies failed to recruit young talent in the off-season to help "replenish" their ageing premiership list.

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Cornes believes it could cost them the chance to go back-to-back in 2024.

"I'm questioning Collingwood. You win the premiership and what youth did you bring in, what vibrancy, what enthusiasm, spend did you bring to your list?" Cornes said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.

"Yep, (Lachie) Schultz (from Fremantle) is going to be a good pick up for them. But once again, your players get older, you've got to replenish (your list)."

Cornes urged the Pies to mirror what the previous premiers Geelong did in the off-season after their 81-point grand final victory over Sydney.

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"You've got to look at what they did after they (Geelong) won the premiership to replenish the list," he said.

"Part of it was like 'yep, you're not always going to get (Jack) Bowes and they'll (Gold Coast) chuck in pick seven that goes along with it', but they were smart enough to be able to get him there."

After winning the 2022 premiership, Geelong went straight back into recruiting mode, looking to replace retiring superstar captain Joel Selwood, as well as keep the list ticking over to hopefully continue to content deep into September in the years to come.

The Cats picked up Tanner Bruhn from GWS, alongside Bowes from the Suns and Ollie Henry from Collingwood, before they even reached the draft.

"Tanner Bruhn is 21 (years old), playing an important role, Bowes is a depth player. Oliver Henry definitely is (in their best 22), then Jhye Clark comes in (pick eight, 2022 draft)," Cornes said.

Cornes also lauded Geelong's strong use of the rookie draft to recruit left field players who they develop into key cogs in their team.

"Then you get the rising star this week, (Ollie) Dempsey, don't know where they found him from, but somewhere and they've developed him," he said.

"(Mitch) Knevitt's a good player, (Toby) Conway's a good young player.

"The ability without the draft picks and the capital, because of their success, to replenish is a lesson and perhaps a couple of mistakes Collingwood made (in the off season).

"I just think they're (Geelong) in a better position (than Collingwood), because they're so clever and shrewd with their list management."

Geelong defeated St Kilda by eight points in round one, looking ahead to their clash with the Crows on Friday night.

Meantime, Collingwood will hope to grab their first win of 2024 against St Kilda on Thursday night.