So, you’ve made it through the off-season. The scarves are back in the drawer, the replay of the grand final has been watched a hundred times, and the footy-shaped void in your weekends is starting to feel a little too big. The only cure? The new AFL season. And for the black and white army, that means one thing: it’s time to get serious about the year ahead.
This isn’t just about blind optimism. It’s about a structured, clear-eyed look at where our famous club stands. This pre-season checklist is your guide to doing just that. We’ll move beyond the hype and tackle the key questions every Collingwood supporter should be asking before a ball is bounced in anger. By the end, you’ll have a complete picture of our prospects, ready to debate with confidence at the pub or on the forum.
What You’ll Need
To work through this checklist effectively, you don’t need a coaching badge, but a few things will help:
A realistic mindset: Leave the pure emotion at the door. We’re assessing, not just cheering (that comes later).
Knowledge of the list: A basic familiarity with our senior players and a few key newcomers.
Recent history: Remembering how we played last year is crucial. What worked? What didn’t?
Your Collingwood guernsey: Okay, this one’s for moral support. It never hurts to have the stripes close by.
Your Step-by-Step Collingwood Pre-Season Assessment
Follow these steps to build your own informed season preview.
1. Interrogate the Game Plan: Is "Fly's Philosophy" Still Soaring?
Coach McRae’s mantra of "side-by-side" and "connection" wasn’t just feel-good fluff; it was a tactical revolution that delivered the ultimate prize. But the AFL is a copycat league. Rivals spent their summer dissecting our chaotic pressure, our daring ball movement, and our unshakable belief.
The Question to Ask: Have we evolved? Can Fly and the coaching staff add new layers, or will teams have found a blueprint to blunt our style? Look for pre-season signs of tactical tweaks—new forward setups, adjustments in our midfield press, or different methods of exiting defence. The true test of a great system is its ability to adapt.
2. Audit the Engine Room: Who Replaces the Irreplaceable?
The departure of a club legend leaves a hole that’s about more than just stats. Taylor Adams’ grunt, leadership, and big-game temperament were vital. So, the midfield mix is the single biggest on-field question.
The Question to Ask: Who steps up? Nick Daicos will spend more time in the centre, but his brilliance is a given. The intrigue lies around him. Does Tom Mitchell have another full, influential season in his legs? Can Jordan De Goey find even more consistent midfield domination? And crucially, which young Pie puts their hand up? A full pre-season into Finlay Macrae or the continued development of Reef McInnes could provide the answer. The Copeland Trophy race often starts here.
3. Scrutinise the Spine: Is Our Structure Airtight?
A premiership defence is built on a rock-solid backbone. In Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe, we possess one of the most intelligent and intercepting defensive duos in the competition. But the structure in front of them is key.
The Question to Ask: Is our key-position depth ready? Billy Frampton’s role as a utility was crucial last year. Can he and Nathan Kreuger provide reliable coverage if needed? Up forward, the dynamic smalls get the highlights, but the structure provided by a Dan McStay or Ash Johnson is irreplaceable for creating chaos. Their fitness and form are a huge bellwether for our scoring power.
4. Assess the Leadership & Vibe: Is the "Connection" Still Tangible?
This was our superpower. The visible joy, the unwavering support for teammates, the collective resilience—it felt different. With a target now on our backs and the pressure of expectation returning, maintaining that culture is a challenge.
The Question to Ask: Can we keep the magic? Scott Pendlebury, now in a playing-coach role, remains the calmest head in football. Darcy Moore’s articulate and passionate leadership is a perfect fit for the modern era. But it’s on every player, from the stars to the rookies, to uphold the standard. Watch the pre-season training videos and interviews closely; the energy doesn’t lie.
5. Map the Marathon: Where Are the Season's Pivot Points?
The AFL fixture is never just a list of games. It’s a narrative waiting to unfold, with key chapters that can define a season.
The Question to Ask: Which games are the litmus tests? Obviously, the Anzac Day clash against Essendon at the 'G is a season within a season. But look deeper. How do we navigate a tough early draw? Where are the potential "trap games" away from home? Which back-to-back six-day breaks could test our squad depth? Mark the two clashes against last year’s preliminary finalists, and the Queen’s Birthday match. Success is about banking wins when you should and stealing a couple when you’re not expected to.
6. Embrace the Unknown: Who is This Year's Breakout Pie?
Every premiership year has one: the player who leaps from the fringe to become indispensable. Think of Jack Crispin’s impact a few years back.
The Question to Ask: Which unheralded name will the Magpie Army be chanting? Could it be Harvey Harrison adding permanent forward pressure? Does Joe Richards bring his VFL form to the big stage? Maybe it’s a draftee like Harry DeMattia who surprises. Identifying this player early is one of the great joys of being a supporter. Keep a close eye on the pre-season matches; they often give us a clue.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t Overreact to Pre-Season Results: The community series is for fitness and trialing combinations. A win is nice, a loss is meaningless. Focus on how we play, not the scoreboard.
Do Listen to Fly: Craig McRae is incredibly transparent in his messaging. If he’s talking about working on a specific area (e.g., clearance work, forward-50 tackles), pay attention. He’s telling you what the coaching staff is prioritising.
Don’t Underestimate the "Vic Park" Factor: The connection to our heartland at Victoria Park and the relentless passion of the Magpie Army is a genuine advantage. It’s our 23rd man. Factor in the lift the players get from a packed home crowd.
Do Manage Your Own Expectations: Repeating is historically, brutally difficult. The journey is never a straight line. Enjoy each win, analyse each loss, but remember it’s a marathon. The goal is to be playing our best football when the leaves start to turn brown in September.
Your Collingwood Season Preview Checklist
Print this out, stick it on the fridge, and tick it off as you form your opinions.
- Analyzed the Game Plan: Have I identified any new tactical trends from Fly’s pressers or pre-season play?
- Assessed the Midfield: Have I pinpointed who I think will step up to fill the void and support Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey?
- Reviewed Key Position Depth: Am I confident in our backup talls down back and up forward if injury strikes?
- Gauged the Vibe: Does the team’s "connection" and energy look as strong as last year in footage and interviews?
- Decoded the Fixture: Have I circled the 5-6 season-defining games on the calendar, including the Anzac Day match?
- Picked a Breakout Star: Have I chosen one fringe or young player I believe will become a household name in 2024?
- Set My Own Expectations: Have I balanced my premiership hope with a realistic understanding of the challenges ahead?
Once you’ve worked through this list, you’re no longer just hoping for a good year—you’re analytically invested in one. You’ll understand the narratives, the key battles, and the questions that will define our campaign. Now, all that’s left is for the boys in the black and white stripes to provide the answers. Let the season begin.
Want to understand how this year's team fits into the grand story of the club? Dive into the rich tapestry of our past in our complete Collingwood Magpies history. And to see how Fly's approach compares to the greats of the past, explore our guide to the Collingwood Magpies coaching history.
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