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's The Run Home.
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"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."
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) … 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.