Collingwood suffered a tumultuous 2021 season to say the least.
The fallout from the disastrous 2020 trade period seeing a number of key players leave and be traded, to the distractions of the Do Better report and the resignation of head coach Nathan Buckley led to a season that Magpie fans would rather forget and move on from.
The Pies finished a disappointing 17th on the ladder last year with only six wins to show for it, but since the appointment of head coach Craig McRae, things are looking more positive for the Magpies community heading into the 2022 season.
A change of coaching with McRae, as well as Justin Leppitsch and Brendon Bolton joining the coaching staff, and a change in culture to go along with the arrival of young star Nick Daicos and talented midfielder Patrick Lipinski, has breathed much-needed life into the club following their disastrous 2021 campaign.
With a young list that is eager to impress the Magpies faithful, Collingwood will be an interesting side to observe in 2022 to see how they fare against the rest of the competition.
A big Melbourne club with a big Melbourne fan base comes with lots of pressure and expectation, so let's dive into Collingwood's 2022 season preview.
Off-Season Moves
Ins: Nick Daicos, Patrick Lipinski [Western Bulldogs], Nathan Kreuger [Geelong Cats], Charlie Dean, Arlo Draper, Harvey Harrison, Cooper Murley
Outs: Levi Greenwood [retired], Max Lynch [Hawthorn Hawks], Chris Mayne [retired], Jay Rantall [delisted], Brayden Sier [delisted], Josh Thomas [retired]
Defining Period
The first six weeks will be big for the Pies in building confidence amongst the young playing group.
Banking some early wins would be a great start for McRae, and would build belief that the system that McRae and his team have implemented is working and heading in the right direction.
In the first six rounds, Collingwood play the Saints [A], Adelaide [H], Geelong [H], West Coast [H], Brisbane [A] and Essendon [A].
This run of games is a decent start for the Pies with five out of the first six games of the season being played in Melbourne.
Collingwood will enter as underdogs for at least four of the clashes, with the Pies being a genuine chance in all but the Brisbane game.
Early wins against the Saints and Crows are achievable, and the Pies have a good track record against Geelong, always being competitive against the Cats, before facing an ageing West Coast side at home and then a big-time ANZAC Day clash against the Bombers, which the Pies are always up for.
If Collingwood can win at least two or three from the first six games, whilst being competitive in the losses, then it will be a decent start for McRae's tenure at the helm.
