A Geelong premiership hero has expressed his perpetual belief in Collingwood's flag chances, citing inside information to support his claims.

Following the Magpies' victorious 2023 season, confidence seems at an all-time high at Olympic Park as Craig McRae's men prepare to defend their title in 2024.

Former Cat and Roo Cameron Mooney, who joined the GWS Giants as an advisor on Tuesday after years as a media pundit, posited his belief that the Pies can salute as premiers for the second consecutive year.

"I've got someone that I trust very, very much who was a big part of our premiership years down at Geelong and now does some work at work at Collingwood," detailed Mooney, speaking on SEN'sย The Run Home.

SEE ALSO: GEELONG PREMIERSHIP FORWARD JOINS GIANTS

"He said that he hasn't seen a group come back after a premiership as good as this.

"This is the thing; I'll always back Collingwood to win the (2024) premiership because they're the best team in the competition for me.

"So, until (proven) otherwise, I'm going to keep backing them to win it."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Darcy Moore of the Magpies and Craig McRae, Senior Coach of the Magpies celebrate with the premiership cup during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Mooney, who also played in North Melbourne's 1999 premiership, hung up his boots at the cessation of the 2011 season after notching 221 games across 15 seasons, headlined by Geelong's 2007 and 2009 flag triumphs.

As for his impending role at the Showgrounds with the Giants, the 44-year-old is expected to assist the club's key forwards and ruckmen in a part-time capacity.

"The one thing I will always say is, it's amazing what happens the year after you win a premiership," Mooney continued, explaining his thesis.

"This is the third year under 'Fly' (McRae) โ€ฆ so this is another pre-season, the third pre-season of their game evolving.

"It's amazing when you've won (a flag). Everyone's confident, everyone knows their roles, everyone knows who they are, what they bring to the table, and everybody goes up another 10 per cent or 15 per cent.

"It's actually incredible to watch it and I've been involved in it, and I've seen it."

Collingwood has scheduled pre-season hitouts with North Melbourne and Richmond before embarking on an Opening Round clash with GWS.

1 COMMENT

  1. Belief in the system validated by winning the previous premiership can only deepen the confidence in the playing group. Hurdles will come and unplanned events will no doubt happen, but they also did in 2023, so they know they can adjust and play their system, magnified by the squad’s depth.
    Just need a little bit of luck to go one step better than 2011.

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