KANE Cornes is backing Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott to have a big year.<\/p>\n
Coming off a 2022 season where the small forward established himself as one of the most clutch players in the competition, Cornes believes Elliott can make an even bigger impact this time around.<\/p>\n
While Elliott has proven a quality contributor since making his debut in 2012, is body has often let him down as he hasn\u2019t played more than 20 games in the last seven years.<\/p>\n
If the 30-year-old gets his body right, Cornes said he believes Elliott could be a 55-goal forward in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t played a full season of footy [in a long time],\u201d Cornes said on SEN Sportsday. \u201cWhen I say a full season, he hasn\u2019t played 20 plus games since 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf this man gets a good run at it, the most goals he\u2019s ever kicked in a season was that year, 2015, where he kicked 35, he\u2019s got 55 goals in him, Jamie Elliott.\u201d<\/p>\n
Agreeing that Elliott could have a big year in front of the big sticks, Gerard Healy asked Cornes, \u201cHe\u2019s got an All-Australian guernsey, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n
In response Cornes said he feels Elliott could comfortably become an All-Australian when comparing his ability to previous players that have been handed a blazer in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe does [have an All-Australian in him], absolutely, we expect Collingwood to go deep, so there\u2019s probably an extra couple games [to get to 55 goals],\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cStengle kicked 53 [in 2022], he\u2019s a better player than Tyson Stengle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to get a lot of opportunities in this forward line, and jee, he looks fit. He\u2019s accurate, he\u2019s good on the ground, he\u2019s good in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d get excited Collingwood fans about the prospect [of Elliott making an All-Australian).<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get too far ahead of yourselves because he usually gets injured and he\u2019s 30 years of age now which is problematic, but he\u2019s everywhere [inside 50].\u201d<\/p>\n
Elliott continued his preparation for the season after kicking two goals in the practice match win against Hawthorn last week.<\/p>\n
Collingwood\u2019s next task is a round one clash against Geelong at the MCG on 17 March.<\/p>\n