Isaac Quaynor may have a premiership medal around his neck at just 24 years of age, but the Collingwood defender says he is searching for something more to add to his trophy cabinet.
After a stellar 2023 season, topped off with a magical four-point win over Brisbane in the grand final, Quaynor declared he wished he also picked up an elusive All-Australian blazer on the way to premiership glory.
Quaynor was selected in the broader 44-man All-Australian squad in 2023, but did not make the final 22.
READ MORE: Why the Mahomes-Brady comparisons remain premature
READ MORE: Rabbitohs star in doubt for historic Las Vegas opener
READ MORE: A-League star scolded for ‘astonishing’ missed chance
Instead, judges opted to go with Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, St Kilda’s Jack Sinclair and Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston on the half back line.
Despite going on weeks later to win a flag with the Pies, Quaynor says he is ready to go one step better come 2024.
“Trying to make (the) All-Australian team and to win the premiership. I was lucky enough to be pretty close to one and be able to do the other,” Quaynor said on Sunday.
“I guess it’s just to be able to replicate a similar season (to 2023) and go up another level.
After signing a five-year contract extension, Quaynor spent his summer targeting leg power and speed improvement for the upcoming year, as Collingwood look to go back-to-back.
“It’s just something different (extra training). I love the jumping stuff. It’s something I’m usually pretty good at,” he said.
“Weight just seems to pack onto me pretty easily, which is a good problem to have, (but) I don’t want to lose my ability to run, that’s one of my strengths also.
“I’m always very weary of that, but I just enjoy doing gym.”
Quaynor had an injury scare at Pies training last week, captured hobbling off the ground after a hit to the leg, which sent shivers down the young star’s spine due to a history of leg issues.
Back in 2020, he suffered a horrific eight-inch cut to his shin, after Swans youngster Sam Wicks crashed into the Magpie.
https://twitter.com/CollingwoodFC/status/1756457009397002536
It was later deemed that Wicks was wearing illegal boots and studs, but the AFL did not sanction Sydney.
“It was a similar movement to when I cut my leg open and a similar initial pain,” Quaynor said.
“I literally just hobbled off like a sook, had a couple of minutes rest in the docs office and I was good to go.”
Collingwood will take part in the AFL’s new Opening Round fixture, taking place the week before round one, facing the GWS Giants.