Straight after Craig McRae was appointed coach of the Pies at the end of the 2021 season, a sense of uncertainty surrounded the club due to rare changes and untested new ideas.
To fill the void left by a club legend in the form of Nathan Buckley after 10 years in charge would inevitably be an enormous challenge with extra pressure to deliver at one of the AFL’s most prestigious sides.
At the same time though, the lower expectations created the potential to play with no fear and have less pressure on their shoulders, something Collingwood demonstrated last season as they impressively punched above their weight as McRae made an immediate impact.
Arguably one of the most fascinating teams to follow during 2022, the Pies were the definition of clutch, sealing an astounding nine of their 17 wins by seven points or less.
Doubters and haters were quick to express that those games were a fluke and a good amount of fortune placed into the lap of the Magpies.
Only, it was anything but a fluke.
Early throughout the campaign, it was clear to understand the game plan and patterns of play that pushed McRae’s men to a preliminary final against all odds.
Zac Williams and Adam Saad of the Blues look dejected as Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos of the Magpies celebrate. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
High pressure from defence to attack to suffocate any opponent, fast-paced footy, and quick combination play along with displaying strong unity were the main blueprints to a successful season.
The good news? They have the same fundamentals to make another deep push in September.
Earlier this year, a change in leadership paved the way for influential hero Scott Pendlebury to step down and hand over the captaincy to elite defender Darcy Moore.
The 27-year-old takes on the responsibility at the perfect time, rediscovering his form and confidence after a tough individual start last season. New perspective and direction can always be positive, as Pendlebury will still display his leadership qualities with or without the tag.
Injured throughout most of last year, Brodie Grundy’s trade to the Demons may not seem like the biggest disaster. Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron have proven themselves more than capable of stepping up in the big games, especially Cox who found some form again towards the latter stages of 2022. Watch out for 19-year-old South Australian Oscar Steene, who will be given opportunities to break through.
They have the right personnel around the ball to break open play. Last season the Pies had seven players in the top 100 for the most clearances, tied first with Geelong and the Bulldogs.
As mentioned, the relentless pressure that Collingwood displayed throughout most of last season is a testament to their work rate and camaraderie within the group, which will ultimately set up the foundations for further progress.
Aside from the Swans, the 15-time premiers were the most dominant side in the tackling department, averaging 63.4 tackles and 11.3 tackles inside 50 under McRae.
Balance is everything when it comes down to building consistency and long-term success, something which Collingwood has up forward with the correct number of tall figures and smalls to offer great versatility.
Fans of the black and white should be excited that this depth has been further strengthened with the additions of Bobby Hill and Daniel McStay to accompany an already talented frontline with the likes of Jamie Elliott, Jack Ginnivan, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Ash Johnson, and Brody Mihocek.
Add in the capability of Cox and Cameron to take key contested marks, you can’t help but feel that this sense of stability will cause havoc and fear amongst any team in the competition.
Although a lot of things were uncertain around the club before McRae’s arrival, it was always expected that midfield would be one of the Pies’ strong points which won’t change anytime soon.
Former Brownlow medalist Tom Mitchell is a brilliant pickup from the draft, who will no doubt gel into the system surrounded by other talents such as Pendlebury, Taylor Adams, Jack Crisp, Steele Sidebottom, and the Daicos brothers.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
That core midfield group will prove instrumental in the transition game that the Pies want to emulate and take the game on with the right intensity.
Safe to say, nothing was more unexpected than the incredible rise of Nick Daicos, who ran the show at half-back with his raw skill and talent which surprised many at his young age.
It’s been widely reported that the 20-year-old Rising Star winner will be exposed to more time in the midfield. If this is true, expect him to be a dark horse for the Brownlow come season’s end with his disposals increasing and the opening created to demonstrate his footy nous.
Overcoming adversity with the unfortunate events taking place involving the likes of Ginnivan and De Goey only galvanised the team even more to play their best footy. The latest scandal involving Ginnivan and his use of illicit drugs shouldn’t derail the squad if anything from last season is to go by.
It would be unfair to refer to Collingwood as ‘lucky’ and a ‘one-season wonder’ after the consistent performances they put in along with going on an 11-match winning streak down the stretch last year.
No one will want to play them, including the reigning premiers. Let’s not forget that the Pies were 30 points up at three quarter-time early in the season and narrowly lost by six points in the qualifying final against the Cats. Underestimating them would be a massive mistake.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning just how composed and level-headed McRae has been in front of the media. The way he handles pressure by not getting too down during difficult periods and at the same time pulling his players back down to reality after a string of victories only speaks volumes to the 49-year-old’s maturity and experience.
No doubt this is a representation of how he addresses the locker room and motivates his players.
Collingwood supporters can expect another rollercoaster season of emotions made up of more highs than lows.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I have the luxury of my own office where no one can approach without me seeing them first :happy: Beating Melbourne without MAy and beating Carlton (by 1 point after the BLues kciked 0.6 in the last quarter to 6.1) without Walsh, Kennedy, & Hewett are pretty signficantly different things. That said I will be interested to see how the Pies season unfolds you could well be right and they have added some new faces (although I am not convinced they improve the side as opposed to simply changing it) but they do have a tougher draw.
Michael
Guest
I could counter this argument (ie heard the same thing when we beat Melbourne the first time last year that they didn't have May, then we beat them again when they did have May) but I live in fear of my boss glancing over my shoulder at any moment so we might have to agree to disagree on this one.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Are they evolving Michael, the practice match results where they were belted by the Blues through the midfield and got a narrow victory against a Hawthorn side that looks destined for the bottom 4 don't indicate much has changed. But even if we accept they have evolved the sides they are playing have evolved as well and are more aware of the pies strategies. For example Collingwood had 2 wins by less than a goal against the Blues last year - the last of which occurred with Carlton missing Walsh, Hewett, Kennedy and the first had the BLues missing McKay, Kennedy and losing Weitering before quarter time. Throw in that the Blues have added Acres to their weakest position and I think you would be hard pressed to suggest Collingwood are more likely to win against the Blues this year.
Michael
Guest
Macca they're evolving, I don't believe their intension is to continue with the identical game plan you can see that just on the basis of their recruiting. If you were a betting man would you say when the Pies come to play those sides I mentioned this year that they will be close losses or comfortable wins? I don't believe there will be as many close games as there were last year that's really all I'm saying All the best.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Michael - you are missing the point - your style of play (which relies incredibly heavily on rebounding from half back) allowed you to push the good sides but it also allowed poor sides to push you and in a lot of cases build significant 3/4 time leads against you. Unless you change your style of play it doesn't become more likely that you will suddenly have easy wins.
Michael
Guest
Macca, they pushed a grand finalist to a point, troubled the premiers more than any other side and beat the reigning premiers twice , reckon we’re past the point of whether they’re bona fide. My point was just because you have a number of close wins one year doesn’t automatically mean that you either replicate that or they become close losses the next year. It’s just as likely they become comfortable wins.
Vic Park
Guest
Thanks Christian. A very considered article. Many of the so called pundits in the mainstream media have Collingwood dropping out of the eight because they were ‘lucky’ last year to win all those close games. Not correct. Collingwood won those games because they put themselves in a position to win games through hard work, superior fitness, and the ability to play four quarter footy. Luck doesn’t come into it. Collingwood played strategically. Maximum impact for the least amount of effort expended.
Macca
Roar Rookie
"secondly a fair few of those close wins were against lower rung sides such as North, Hawthorn, Suns, Crows, Power and Essendon, they even lost narrowly to WC." It is BECAUSE of those close wins against lowly rated teams that people are unconvinced of the Pies bona fides. To me there is a concern that they play a game style that allows everyone the opportunity to beat them (ie they get beaten badly at the stoppages and allow too many inside 50's against).The practice match results point to thes issues not being corrected. Their ability to hurt teams on the rebound and be efficient inside 50 themselves gave them the chance to beat anyone but with more exposed form the better teams will correct their mistakes. Will be interesting to see how they go this year, with 10 players over 29 and 4 over 32 in a month the Pies have a list that really is built for now.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Darcy Moore looks exactly like Neil in The Young Ones, bloody hilarious :silly:
Michael
Guest
Seems like a lot of people are saying there will be an inevitable drop as they can't possibly win that many close games again. Two things they aren't taking into consideration, one that it wasn't luck they trained apparently more than most clubs specifically for those scenarios (the harder you work the luckier you get) and secondly a fair few of those close wins were against lower rung sides such as North, Hawthorn, Suns, Crows, Power and Essendon, they even lost narrowly to WC. It's safer to assume with the targeted improvement in our list that those games are probably more likely to go the other way and be 3-5 goal wins rather than losses.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
If De Goey plays at his optimum the Pies are very good up forward he tends to bring others into play.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Feel as though the Pies didn’t create loads of scoring opportunities last year, but when they did get those opportunities I felt as though they were very efficient and accurate which obviously helped
nostats
Roar Rookie
must admit as season draws closer am feeling a bit more anxious about how the pies go this year ,im happy with mcstay coming too the club, hes no superstar but neither is miocheck who is pretty well respected throughout the comp so mcstay will improve collingwood ,just that he isnt the superstar key position forward that the pies cant seem to pinch from another club ,i think the endevour will still be evident this season but need a couple of classy 100+ gamers recruited to add to the team in next year or two .am a bit concerned about a few of the pies youngsters not amounting to much , however if im completely wrong about the youth then that may be what keep the pies up there this season ,biggest prob will be goal scoring i beieve .
Ray Williams
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: And as always, the Collingwood supporters are ready for that roller coaster ride. Plenty of tough opposition brings out the best in everyone. Ginnivan will restart to expectations, I think the additions to the team lineup brings serious depth and excellence in skills. Bring on the season, let’s see what can be done when you do everything in black and white.