Collingwood had a season to remember, with just 12 points the difference between victory and defeat in their three thrilling finals combined. Home and away the minor premiers won 21 games, with 37 players wearing the colours in 2023 by the time the grand final arrived.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae and skipper Darcy Moore hold up the 2023 premiership cup.Credit: Getty Images
Coach Craig McRae created a culture that saw selflessness as the team’s guiding light, with players stepping up when Taylor Adams and Dan McStay suffered cruel injuries in the finals, while John Noble was dropped in a brutal September selection call.
We rated each player and the coach’s season out of 10.
9/10
Craig McRae (coach)
Excellent communicator managed to extract the team out of a late-season malaise to perform at their best on grand final day. He has revived the careers of many and changed the perception many had of the club. The master of teaching the team to win close games, he has the Midas touch.
5/10
Patrick Lipinski
(14 games, 5 goals)
Played first game in round 13 after dislocating shoulder in final practice match. Did not capture 2022 form, but coach never lost faith in his transition running.
9/10
Jordan De Goey
(21 games, 18 goals)
A career-best season capped by crucial goal with five minutes remaining in grand final. Best on ground in preliminary final, matured to combine hard work with talent.
7/10
Isaac Quaynor
(26 games, 0 goals)
Reliable, classy running defender who is good overhead. He can defend or attack with poise and now sits with game’s best running defenders.
7/10
Brayden Maynard
(25 games, 0 goals)
Pies’ heart and soul who is a born competitor. His influence was not found in statistics but his desperation to win, which rubbed off on the team.
Jamie Elliott loomed as a contant threat for the Pies in attack.Credit: Getty Images
7/10
Jamie Elliott
(24 games, 38 goals)
Clutch player who led the forward line with aplomb, although he had his accuracy radar off at times during the season and was quiet in finals.
7/10
Tom Mitchell
(26 games, 7 goals)
Brilliant addition who delivered exactly what the club wanted as a first-touch midfielder. Great grand final after fantastic first half of season.
8/10
Josh Daicos
(26 games, 16 goals)
All-Australian wingman who elevated himself in 2023. A clever ball user and his gather, swerve and kick late in the preliminary final was underrated.
5/10
Trent Bianco
(1 game, 0 goals)
Came in as a rolling wingman and was a depth player. As a lifelong Magpies fan, would have enjoyed the win.
6/10
John Noble
(23 games, 3 goals)
Kicked the winning goal against Adelaide but was dropped for finals after 83 consecutive matches as running defender. Still hard to work out how he lost his spot.
8/10
Scott Pendlebury
(25 games, 9 goals)
Handed over the captaincy but was crucial as an on-field leader. Has not lost his class and shows no signs of slowing. His partnership with Nick Daicos and relationship with Jordan De Goey brings out their best.
7/10
Dan McStay
(14 games, 20 goals)
A focal point up forward sorely missed in grand final because of injury after playing crucial role in getting them there, kicking exactly two goals in 8 of his last nine games.
4/10
Tom Wilson
(1 game, 0 goals)
Late inclusion in Gather Round when he was substitute. Helped Magpies beat St Kilda but did not get close again.
Taylor Adams hugs captain Darcy Moore moments after Collingwood’s premiership win.Credit: Getty Images
7/10
Taylor Adams
(23 games, 13 goals)
The biggest hard-luck story of the flag after hamstring forced him to miss final two games. His grunt work early in qualifying final was crucial and his overall year solid as a pressure forward and ball winning midfielder.
6/10
Darcy Cameron
(19 games, 5 goals)
Form dropped off as season went on after injury derailed good start, but performed role well enough under duress to keep opposition honest. An excellent mark and a competitor.
4/10
Nathan Kreuger
(2 games, 0 goals)
Two games early in the season before injury again interrupted his season. Hasn’t had an impact at the Pies.
6/10
Billy Frampton
(16 games, 7 goals)
No world-beater and a class below in grand final but made a handy contribution during the season in defence, ruck and forward.
6/10
Finlay McRae
(1 game, 0 goals)
A promising player awaiting his opportunity as an inside midfielder. Only played one game but was next man up behind Tom Mitchell and Taylor Adams.
5/10
Will Kelly
(2 games, 0 goals)
Had an impact as a sub on Anzac Day but only managed one more game with the defence difficult to break into.
5/10
Trey Ruscoe
(1 game, 0 goals)
Magpie fans have a soft spot for Ruscoe as he performs well when included as a defender, but unable to crack a regular senior game.
8/10
Steele Sidebottom
(20 games, 4 goals)
Now in the freak category after another brilliant season on the wing. Smart, composed and once again a good ball user, he runs all day.
8/10
Bobby Hill
(24 games, 33 goals)
Norm Smith Medal, 33 goals, speed and flair, durable and dangerous. An important acquisition who made an impression from round one.
5/10
Jakob Ryan
(1 game, 0 goal)
Good effort to debut in first season although concussed out of game early. Very promising defender.
Jack Crisp celebrates one of his two booming goals in the decider.Credit: Joe Armao
8/10
Jack Crisp
(26 games, 10 goals)
After slow start was back to his best-and-fairest form by season’s end. Four goals in finals and constant run fitting the Magpies’ surging style perfectly. Still underrated, he has now strung together 214 consecutive games.
4/10
Reef McInnes
(5 games, 3 goals)
Given a chance early playing forward but could not grasp it. Subbed on or off in four of his five matches.
7/10
Nathan Murphy
(24 games, 0 goals)
Played his role as Darcy Moore’s sidekick brilliantly, elevating his game when Jeremy Howe was injured. Courageous and reliable defender in the air.
8.5/10
Darcy Moore
(24 games, 0 goals)
Arguably Collingwood’s most important player, the intercept defender was at his best before the bye and in the opening two finals. All-Australian as Collingwood skipper, he forces teams to take risks with their ball movement.
7/10
Beau McCreery
(25 games, 17 goals)
Executed his role perfectly as hard-running high forward. Ferocious tackler who also has pace. Still learning.
6.5/10
Will Hoskin-Elliott
(24 games, 10 goals)
Silenced any critics in the qualifying final, his versatility as a flanker either forward or back essential. Experienced and well drilled.
6/10
Jack Ginnivan
(14 games, 12 goals)
On the fringes right until the end after below-par pre-season. Now realises his career will be built on hard work. A clever player, he performed well in final two rounds to cement a finals spot.
9.5/10
Nick Daicos
(22 games, 19 goals)
As close to a perfect season as a second-year player could have. Injury cost him a Brownlow Medal and will be best and fairest in a premiership year at 20. Elusive, damaging, brave and creative, he had the best year of any player in the AFL in 2023.
6/10
Harvey Harrison
(4 games, 3 goals)
Forced his way into team on back of hard work and performing his role better than others at the time. A season that showed he can play at top level.
6.5/10
Oleg Markov
(23 games, 1 goal)
Only injury to Charlie Dean won him the final spot on Collingwood’s list, with the Magpies making use of his pace. A livewire on and off the field, his ball use improved and he connected rather than created.
Injury nearly ruined Jeremy Howe’s year but he fought back to play a crucial role in the flag.Credit: The Age
7.5/10
Jeremy Howe
(14 games, 7 goals)
A champion who fought back from a horrific injury in round one to play a critical role in defence. No longer a high-flier, he is steady and prepared to be brave when his teammates go into their shell.
6/10
Ash Johnson
(15 games, 21 goals)
Talented but did not play after round 21 then injury probably stopped him from playing in grand final. A good mark he just could not impact games enough to keep his spot.
7.5/10
Brody Mihocek
(24 games, 47 goals)
Possibly the best value-for-money forward in the game, he kicked 47 goals but the amount of physical punishment he bore to bring the ball to ground was scary. As unfashionable as he is good.
4/10
Josh Carmichael
(1 game, 0 goals)
Did nothing wrong as the sub in round three but just not in the best 23. A solid depth player.
7.5/10
Mason Cox
(19 games, 17 goals)
The Pies’ best ruckman by year’s end and dangerous up forward. Has proved so many critics wrong, flourishing under his second coach. Played through nasty injury in round two and his absence was felt when he missed games early in season.
