Former Collingwood player and AFL analyst Mick McGuane is confident his old side can once again contend in 2023.
The Magpies fell agonisingly short of a Grand Final berth last season, riding an almost historic run of close wins all the way to the Prelims.
There have been questions about whether they can do it again this year given the volatile nature of the majority of their close wins, but McGuane says he believes the team has grown again over summer.
“I went to the Preliminary Final last year and I walked out gutted as most supporters did. That will drive the group and to watch them train over the summer and see how well connected they are, with a great spirit of moving forward quickly, I reckon that’s been embraced by the group,” he told SEN’s The Sporting Capital.
“I reckon they’ve really got to work. I love the spirit and intensity they’re training with. There’s a feel of connection. I think there’s a feeling of reliability and trust amongst the players and the coaching staff.
“I know people will say they may have got a bit lucky in some games, but that just doesn’t happen by accident and when you look back at their training they did a lot of dress rehearsal in win-a-game and save-a-game situations.
“If you go back to that Preliminary Final they had a seven-goal deficit early in the game. They clawed their way back based on method, taking risks, that high volume risk and chaos game and they nearly got over the line.
“I just think with what they have experienced, the group they’ve got, a couple of recruits they’ve added to the group, I really love the acquisition of Tom Mitchell and Dan McStay – I just think with what Collingwood has got at their disposal, I really they can challenge in the top eight for sure.”
We will get an early litmus test on the Magpies, given they face reigning premiers Geelong in Round 1.
