Where does your AFL club sit: Why Collingwood’s rise can continue in 2023

Collingwood has 14 players out of contract at the end of 2023. How many of them are no-brainer selections in the Pies’ best side?

Collingwood training at Olympic Park. Nick Daicos and Tom Mitchell. Picture by Michael Klein

What a difference one point makes. The season ended in heartbreak for Pies fans who enjoyed the ride of a lifetime that fell just one point short of a grand final. Craig McRae brought a freedom to the Magpies in his first full season at the helm – playing with flair and fun that – more often than not – translated to four points. And there’s no reason why that can’t continue in 2023.

COLLINGWOOD

Coach: Craig McRae

Captain: TBC

Craig McRae had a stunning first season as the Collingwood senior coach, can he take them a couple of steps further in 2023? Picture: Getty Images

What happened in 2022?

It started smoothly but when Geelong turned the tables in Round 3 and then an undermanned West Coast in Round 4, things had the potential to look shaky. But if Craig McRae is anything, he is level. From there, the Anzac Day win – starring Jack Ginnivan – sparked some action before they really got rolling in the second half of the season. From Round 10 onwards, the Pies notched 11 wins on the trot including nine under two goals, making sure they kept supporters well and truly on their toes. Jordan De Goey’s Bali trip hit the headlines but the team let its football do the talking, but it was Sydney that delivered a late-season double-blow, nabbing four points in Round 22 and then derailing the team by just one point in a preliminary final.

Where do they finish in 2023?

It’s difficult to see this team dropping too far away from the pack, but steeling their nerve like they did in 2022 will be key. Had they dropped a couple of those close ones, it could have been a very different story. Tom Mitchell comes in and should slot straight in, while Dan McStay provides a prime target up forward and support in the ruck now Brodie Grundy is at Melbourne. Should be a top-eight finish again.

Will the Magpies have the same success in 2023? Picture: Getty Images

Biggest improver in 2022

It’ll be year two at the Pies for Pat Lipinski who played every game and every final. It was a strong start and after post-season shoulder surgery, the former Bulldog’s instant impact should only grow stronger.

X-factor

JDG – it just has to be. Jordan De Goey found himself front and square in the Melbourne winter after a mid-season trip to Bali saw him slapped with a $25,000 suspended fine and contract talks put on hold. A behavioural clause also features in the first two years of his eventually-signed deal that sees him at Collingwood until 2027. Despite his inconsistencies at times, he showed late in the year just what he is capable of. Do it more and he’d be among the competition’s best.

A firing Jordan De Goey will make a world of difference for Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

Coach status

Craig McRae signed on until the end of 2024 and is much-loved at Collingwood for his nature as much as his coaching prowess. Players have lauded the environment McRae has created at the AIA Centre and it showed on the field.

Who is in last year of contract?

Aiden Begg, Arlo Draper, Ash Johnson, Cooper Murley, Harvey Harrison, Jeremy Howe, John Noble, Josh Carmichael, Mason Cox, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Trent Bianco, Trey Ruscoe, Will Kelly

Outs from 2022

Brodie Grundy (trade – Melbourne), Jordan Roughead (retired), Ollie Henry (trade – Geelong), Callum Brown (delisted), Tyler Brown (delisted), Jack Madgen (delisted), Caleb Poulter (delisted), Isaac Chugg (delisted), Liam McMahon (delisted)

Tom Mitchell is a key recruit for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

Ins for 2023

Dan McStay (free agent – Brisbane), Tom Mitchell (trade – Hawthorn), Bobby Hill (trade – Greater Western Sydney), Ed Allan (pick no. 19), Billy Frampton (trade – Adelaide), Jakob Ryan (pick no. 29), Joe Richards (pick no. 48)

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Originally published as Where does your AFL club sit: Why Collingwood’s rise can continue in 2023