Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy has taken "positive steps" towards a return to AFL football as he continues with his concussion struggles.

Amid a time where the ramifications of head-high knocks have taken a front-row seat in the eyes of the league, the Pies and Murphy have proceeded with caution, ensuring the player's welfare is put first.

The 24-year-old suffered his latest concussion in the club's 2023 Grand Final appearance against the Brisbane Lions and slowly built his contact training over the summer months.

Despite winning a premiership medallion, Murphy has turned his focus to his wellbeing and ensuring he is doing everything in his power to return to the AFL.

"It's been a pretty big off-season and it's public knowledge at the moment that I am not probably in the right frame of mind to be playing AFL football," Murphy said onย RSN.

"We've taken some really positive steps in the past couple of weeks, we've put a plan in place that I just need to tick off a few contact things and the aim is to get back out playing competitive football... which I'm really excited to be working towards.

"It's been tough but it's also been the best decision for me I think to get that frame of mind right.

"Still love football, I'm at the most amazing club I believe and best supported club in the industry... I've been so lucky, the club has been amazing for me and the boys have been awesome as well.

"They've allowed me to just be me and make this decision and get my mindset right."

In the wake of Melbourne gun Angus Brayshaw's premature retirement due to his battle with concussion, Murphy's case has been watched closely and monitored by the club and the AFL, despite the youngster not thinking about hanging up the boots.

"I'm still really healthy; still participating in a lot of stuff," Murphy said before the season started.

"I'm not really contemplating retirement. That's not really on my agenda.

"I'm just trying to focus on getting back out there to play football."

Murphy's absence was felt against the Giants in 'Opening Round' as the Pies went down by 32 points.

Callum Brown (five goals), Jesse Hogan (four) and Brent Daniels (four) ran riot in the front half for GWS, putting Collingwood to the sword with extreme efficiency inside forward 50.

Coach Craig McRae did unveil debutant Charlie Dean, who was serviceable but lacked the experience that Murphy and Jeremy Howe oozed, with the latter also unavailable for the season opener.

Speaking on Tuesday, Murphy believes the clash with the Giants provided some areas of improvement, which the club can quickly rectify.

"We got to give it to the Giants," Murphy said.

"But I think the positive thing for us is when we went through a review yesterday, there are a lot of easy improvements that we can apply to our game this week.

"It's definitely not all doom and gloom... We've got a lot to work on but it is only the first game of the year."

Collingwood will unfurl their 2023 premiership flag on Friday against Sydney at the MCG.