Collingwood's off-season strategy has hinted the club will look to contend for the premiership again in 2025, but whether Craig McRae has the list to go the distance remains to be seen.

The addition of three mature players who can have a resounding impact from Opening Round is sure to excite the Magpies faithful following their September-less season last year.

Having won a premiership only 18 months ago, the Magpies have enough players ready to reach the summit once more, but it will be their younger ranks that make the difference in the coming season to see if they can do it all again.

Here we assess Collingwood's defenders, midfielders and forwards before listing a best 23 side for 2025.

Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, only excluding players who are expected to miss most/all of the season through injury/suspension.

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1. Defenders

The backline has often been an area of concern for Collingwood, with any fears for the club's rearguard only compounded last year with Nathan Murphy's retirement.

The loss of the premiership defender placed a strain on captain Darcy Moore's impact in 2024, with the Magpies hoping to find the needed answer to solve those concerns over the pre-season.

Veteran Jeremy Howe will likely be used as a tall defender in 2025, with Billy Frampton and Charlie Dean hoping to break into the second-string stopper role among the talls down back.

He'll have fresh competition from forward-turned-defender Reef McInnes and draftee Joel Cochran as the Magpies assess their options.

The loss of John Noble shouldn't deter the Magpies, with two-time All-Australian Dan Houston coming in to offer plenty of drive from the backline.

Oleg Markov will look to do the same but might have competition from Wil Parker, second-year runners Harry DeMattia and Tew Jiath, and one-gamer Jakob Ryan.

Isaac Quaynor and Brayden Maynard, who will again be called on to play lockdown roles on menacing opposition forwards, round out a solid crop of backmen hoping for cohesion and consistency in 2025.

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