After missing out on finals the past four seasons, Collingwood look a renewed side in 2018 that are capable of challenging for a spot in the eight.
Playing a more team focused game style, the Pies are gaining respect from the AFL community, including Melbourne great Garry Lyon.
“They’ve got players who’re responding really well to a change in role in Sidebottom, Treloar, Hoskin-Elliott, De Goey and I think they’ve discovered selflessness and the preparedness to play a role other than the one that suits them best,” Lyon told the AFL Nation pregame show.
“They are playing the role that suits the club best.
“The teams that are able to embrace genuine selflessness are the ones that appear to me to be on the right track.”
Lyon pointed out Collingwood's organised stucture and attack with the ball as highlights of their game.
“I think they’re playing with a bit more dare and dash from the back half, particularly prepared by hand,” he said.
“They’ve also structured up in a way that maximises what they do at the back end.
“The modern trend of scoring from forward half pressure acts, they’re the best at that.”
Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett also heaped praise on Nathan Buckley's troops, claiming that we should not sleep on the Pies in 2018.
“Collingwood has found something over the last three weeks,” he told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“They beat Adelaide in Adelaide, they were fantastic on Anzac Day, they’ve got a lot of pace in the side with Jordan De Goey back, Jaidyn Stephenson has added a tremendous amount of pace to their side, Sam Murray off the halfback flank has been terrific, Scott Pendlebury has been playing well and Steele Sidebottom is in the best form of his career.
The leaders are stepping up at Collingwood and the youngsters are following. So could they really challenge for a spot in the top eight?
Collingwood's blockbuster clash with Richmond at the MCG this Sunday is expected to draw a crowd of 70,000.