The external expectations surrounding Collingwood were low at the start of the season as rookie coach Craig McRae took the helm of a side that finished 17th in 2021.
While they appeared to bottom out, the shell of the team that competed from 2018 to 2020 still remained, and McRae’s new game-plan along with a few exciting youngsters helped the Magpies rise up the ladder in dramatic fashion.
With their plans beginning to click 10 rounds in, Collingwood would win 12 of their last 13 home and away games to secure a top-four spot as they’d ultimately miss out on a place in the decider by the barest of margins.
2021 Copeland Trophy winner Jack Crisp was as consistent as ever, while Jordan De Goey showed glimpses of what could be a player entering the top echelon of the elite in September.
Brayden Maynard was the club’s sole All-Australian, while youngsters Nick Daicos and Jack Ginnivan were revelations to the side’s 22.
Following their strong campaign, the Magpies look like big players in the off-season with Dan McStay, Bobby Hill and Billy Frampton set to join, while some big names could also be on the way out.
The season in a sentence
One of the most remarkable seasons in recent history, rising from second last to one-point away from an unlikely Grand Final berth.
The Highlight
Where to start, Collingwood had more than a handful of wins that would’ve been their highlight in any other season.
While winning a final in dominant fashion against Fremantle was a great achievement, you’d think Collingwood fans would look most fondly on their wins over Essendon in Round 19 and Carlton in Round 23.
Forward Jamie Elliott was crucial in both, with his after-the-siren goal winning the game against the Bombers and his running effort securing a top-four spot while knocking the Blues out of the finals in one blow.
Elliott and those moments will no doubt be replayed for years to come.
The Lowlight
In a season of such highs, falling by the barest of margins in the Preliminary Final was a hammer blow for the Magpies.
After finding themselves more than five goals down, Collingwood fought back to give themselves a genuine chance with less than two minutes remaining and after a handful of comebacks this season alone, it looked like they could pull it out on the biggest stage.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, Sydney proved too strong in the final moments as they held on to book their place in the decider as the fairy-tale run came to an end.
Off-season moves to make
Graham Wright will no doubt have plenty of work to do in the coming month with at least three incoming arrivals at the AIA Centre.
Bobby Hill and Billy Frampton have already requested moves to the club, while Dan McStay is certain to arrive as a free agent.
The Magpies have also been linked to inside midfielders Brayden Fiorini and Tom Mitchell, and after missing out on Tim Taranto, they’ll hope to bring one of them in.
With a raft of inclusions, it appears that million-dollar ruckman Brodie Grundy will be sent to Melbourne in somewhat of a salary dump, while Ollie Henry also appears to be assessing his trade options.
The most important signature to extend is Jordan De Goey’s, and while he has significant interest from the likes of St Kilda, looks likely to extend his time in black and white.
Even though they contended this season, the Magpies will be armed with their own first-round pick and hope to receive quality compensation should Grundy and Henry depart, allowing them to continue to add talented youngsters via the draft.
On the chopping block
Jordan Roughead has retired, but the club's remaining veterans all appear to be going around again.
Brown brothers, Tyler and Callum, are without contracts and could be on the way out, while fellow uncontracted Magpies Caleb Poulter, Issac Chugg, Jack Madgen and Will Kelly face nervous waits.
B&F top 3
- Jack Crisp
- Brayden Maynard
- Nick Daicos
Jack Crisp should be the favourite to win back-to-back Copelands.
The consistent midfielder was immense in the first half of the season and his stellar finals campaign should see him come over the top to claim the award.
All-Australian defender Brayden Maynard could go close to claiming the award given his stellar campaign and rookie Nick Daicos could remarkably finish on the podium in his first season at AFL level.
Season grade: 9/10