Tom Mitchell is loving life at Collingwood under Craig McRae.

The 2018 Brownlow Medallist joined the Magpies at the start of the season after long and sometimes frustrating stints at Sydney and Hawthorn.

Speaking on the BackChat podcast with Will Schofield, Mitchell revealed that he's never been happier in a football setting than right now working under McRae.

"In terms of Collingwood, I've never been happier or had more fun in my whole footy life," he said.

"It takes me back to Carey Grammar days playing with your mates on a Saturday morning, I haven't had this much fun ever.

"I think it helps that we're winning at the moment, but I think the environment that Fly (McRae)'s created โ€” he instills so much confidence in every player on the list, builds everyone up.

"It's a different approach, we still get messages across but it's completely gone away from the old-school method of sitting blokes out front and doing these feedback sessions."

Under its new fun-first style, Collingwood has lost just one game this year and sits comfortably on top of the ladder as premiership favourites.

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Mitchell himself has been in red-hot form, averaging 27 disposals and 5.5 clearances in his 10th AFL season, yet neither he nor the club are getting ahead of themselves.

"It's a very modern way of coaching, and Fly has no ego, he preaches no ego," Mitchell explained.

"We're process-driven, we try to get better every day. We don't even look at the results, we haven't spoken about the ladder once.

"I'm just really happy at the moment."

At 30 years of age, Mitchell has seen a lot in his AFL career.

From being dropped before finals at the Swans, to playing at the most elite level in his Brownlow year, to breaking his leg at training, the Collingwood midfielder has felt the ups and downs of football.

Now, as a senior player at a new club, Mitchell has felt the freedom to guide his side's younger players as they begin their own AFL journeys.

"As you get older you naturally take more responsibility and want the responsibility to guide and help the players as players that came before you did for you.

"Being (a senior player) you have a responsibility to give back and to have an opinion, and to try and contribute.

"Initially, I think it's smart to learn how the club works and not overstep โ€” but then when the time is right, to help and contribute... with individuals and the whole team."

Mitchell will have the opportunity to win an elusive AFL premiership as a leader of this Collingwood team, with the club seeking its first in 13 years.

But right now, he and the club are just focused on free-flowing, fun football.