Collingwood enters its flag defence campaign next year with most of the same firepower as it did this year, posing a daunting challenge to the rest of the competition.
The Pies were dominant all the way through in 2023, blitzing their opponents by way of devastating ball movement and suffocating defensive pressure.
After triumphing over Brisbane on the last Saturday of September, the Magpies cast away a pair of fan favourites during the trade period – goalsneak Jack Ginnivan and hard-nosed ball-winner Taylor Adams.
However, the argument can be made that Collingwood still managed to upgrade the squad that emerged victorious on September 30 against the Lions.
We assessed Collingwood's star-studded list and offered our projected best 23 for the Pies heading into next year.
Defensive general and skipper Darcy Moore, arguably the league's best stopper, continues to lead the Magpies from behind the ball, alongside impressive fellow key-position backman Nathan Murphy.
The always-assertive Brayden Maynard offers tremendous support deep in defence, side-by-side with one-on-one marvel Isaac Quaynor.
Then there are the likes of Oleg Markov, Jack Crisp, and John Noble, who all boast the capability to rebound dangerously and kickstart offensive chains.
The Magpies drafted Harry DeMattia and Tew Jiath – a pair of additional pacy rebounders – at this year's National Draft, as the Pies seek to create more headaches for the opposition.
Collingwood farewelled veteran ball-getter Taylor Adams to the Sydney Swans, where the now-three-club player will join fellow ex-Pie Brodie Grundy.
Whilst Adams bowed out at Olympic Park on a heartbreaking note – missing out on a premiership medallion because of an ill-timed hamstring ailment – his absence shouldn't be a substantial loss for Craig McRae's Pies, whose engine room is teeming with tantalising talent.
Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey each pose as Brownlow Medal chances in 2024, while in-and-under specialist Tom Mitchell will aim to have similar success next season as he did during his maiden Pies campaign this year.
21-year-old midfielder Finlay Macrae, having played just 12 AFL games to this point in his three-year Pies career, will hope to make a bigger impact at the senior level; potentially at the expense of Patrick Lipinski, who was demoted to tactical substitute for the Grand Final, or even veteran Steele Sidebottom, who nears the end of his glittering career.
Despite missing September's Grand Final triumph, Daniel McStay will head Collingwood's key-position forward attack in '23, joined by the dependable mid-sized Brody Mihocek.
Continuing to aid that duo is the sharpshooting Jamie Elliott, Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, pressure-cooker Beau McCreery, and newly-attained livewire Lachie Schultz.
The Magpies offloaded Jack Ginnivan to Hawthorn during the trade period and upgraded in the form of the ex-Docker, who adds invaluable offensive and defensive elements to McRae and Co.
Meanwhile, the athletic Ash Johnson is likely to remain on the fringe of Collingwood's forward unit until he can cement some consistency.
Next year presents important campaigns for the likes of Reef RcInnes and Josh Carmichael, who haven't been able to substantiate their infrequent appearances at the senior level.
FB: Isaac Quaynor, Nathan Murphy, Brayden Maynard.
HB: Oleg Markov, Darcy Moore, Scott Pendlebury.
C: Josh Daicos, Tom Mitchell, Jack Crisp.
HF: Beau McCreery, Daniel McStay, Lachie Schultz.
FF: Bobby Hill, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott.
FO: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey.
I/C: Mason Cox, Jeremy Howe, Patrick Lipinski, Steele Sidebottom.
SUB: John Noble.
Also in the mix: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Billy Frampton, Ash Johnson, Finlay Macrae, Harvey Harrison, and Reef McInnes.