With the 2022 AFL season complete, Kane Cornes and Garry Lyon have gone through all 18 clubs and come up with burning questions for each.
Collingwood had a famous season in Craig McRae’s first year in charge, surging from 17th in 2021 all the way to a Preliminary Final in 2022.
Considering the Magpies surpassed all expectations set for them, Lyon pondered whether they could keep the momentum rolling for another season or whether 2023 would be a case of second-year blues for McRae.
“The honeymoon period is real in footy I reckon,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think Craig McRae has been so magnificent and refreshing, but the challenges will come.
“It’s how you deal with them when everything is upbeat and great … but now will the challenges come, when a player doesn’t get a game and gets a bit shirty, will this thing hold together?”
Cornes also warned Collingwood not to rest on their laurels while wondering what effect the busy trade period will have on the group.
“No doubt about it, and I have said the same thing, do they think it’s just going to roll on?” Cornes asked.
“They have a shorter pre-season, the opposition starts to work out your strengths and weaknesses, they come to shut you down with more focus.
“There’s been some changes, significant ones in and amongst the change room with the trade period.
“(Brodie) Grundy goes out, are there questions over the ruck? Tom Mitchell comes in, the dynamic of all of that (concerns me).
“These are definitely legitimate questions, players who had really good years, do they sit back and get comfortable with what they’ve delivered and their big profile?
“They haven’t achieved anything, they must realise that you’ve achieved nothing.”
While Lyon has his concerns, he believes McRae has what it takes to conquer the challenges ahead.
“When you keep winning in the matter they did … there would be some problems that would be there as well,” Lyon said.
“If they ever wonder why the second year is tougher, this is the challenge.
“But Craig McRae gives every indication he’s got it right at the moment.”