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.
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.
Collingwood will have a new-look midfield in 2025 with the arrivals of Harry Perryman and Dan Houston, who are both set to share their time in defence and midfield.
Perryman is likely to have a larger role to play after crossing from GWS in pursuit of more midfield opportunities, while Houston will be able to relieve the Magpies' top line of ball winners.
Young sensation Nick Daicos will again be the focal point of Collingwood's plans in the middle of the ground, with his career trajectory to date a scary prospect for the opposition this year.
Match-winner Jordan De Goey will look to overcome any niggling issues and piece together a full season in black and white, with senior trio Jack Crisp, Tom Mitchell and Scott Pendlebury also set to share centre bounce duties.
Patrick Lipinski will look to break into that group early into the season, with young midfielders Ed Allan and Fin Macrae pressuring their senior teammates for midfield spots.
The fringe trio could be utilised on the wings but will have completion from premiership veteran Steele Sidebottom and Copeland Trophy winner Josh Daicos too.
Darcy Cameron will resume his role as the club's leading ruckman after a career best year which netted him an All-Australian squad nod, with Mason Cox supporting and young duo Oscar Steene and Iliro Smit waiting in the wings.
Collingwood should finally see Dan McStay and Brody Mihocek as a pair again in 2025 after injuries kept the combination at bay last year.
The twin talls will also be supported by new recruit Tim Membrey following his move to the Magpies, with the ex-Saint ready to have an instant impact as a new veteran presence.
His arrival could mean Mason Cox is squeezed out of the senior side, with Craig McRae to assess where he can find ruck support for Darcy Cameron.
Reef McInnes' transition to the backline will mean Ash Johnson is the next man up among the club's tall forwards, with draftee Charlie West likely needing some time before a debut.
Veteran Will Hoskin-Elliott can play tall given his high leap, with the former Giant a solid high half-forward given his run and speed also.
Collingwood are home to one of the more lethal small forward packs, with Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery, Lachie Schultz and Jamie Elliott each bringing differing strengths to threaten in attack.
All four should feature in a fully fit side under Craig McRae, with youngster Harvey Harrison to offer some selection pressure once he returns from an ACL injury while draftee Will Hayes is sure to excite quickly.
FB: Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard
HB: Harry Perryman, Jeremy Howe, Dan Houston
C Steele Sidebottom Jack Crisp, Josh Daicos
HF: Beau McCreery, Dan McStay, Lachie Schultz
FF: Bobby Hill, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott
FO: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey
I/C: Tim Membrey, Scott Pendlebury, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Edward Allan
SUB: Patrick Lipinski
Others to consider: Tom Mitchell, Fin Macrae, Reef McInnes, Billy Frampton, Oleg Markov, Lachie Sullivan, Wil Parker, Ash Johnson, Tew Jiath, Harry DeMattia