Collingwood will be an interesting watch in season 2023.
Coming off a season like none other, which saw them win a record 11 games by under two goals to rise from 17th to a kick away from a grand final berth.
Eyes remain locked on the Magpies to see if it was truly 'luck' as some say.
Last season also saw the debut of Nick Daicos, who has instantly become one of the Pies' key players, while a handful of new recruits in the off-season bring some big changes to the squad.
So with the club heading into an unpredictable season, we cast our own eye across Collingwood and ask five burning questions ahead of their 2023 campaign.
He can't remain at half-back for much longer. Daicos is a star in the making.
The 20-year-old averaged 25.8 disposals and 4.1 marks, along with 408.2 meters gained, per game predominantly playing at half-back in his debut year.
His first season proved he is too good not to play in the midfield, and his pre-season may also be proving that.
Reports from training suggest he is a 'standout' and an 'ultimate professional', and when he's winning time trials, the signs are there.
Another question that arises from this is who comes out of the midfield?
The skills the 20-year-old posses, where his disposals find a player with such ease, are matched by none, maybe beside Scott Pendlebury.
Pendlebury has been the heart of this football club for a long time, and now the number 10 may have to move to half-back to allow Daicos to shine.
This was trialled last year, but Daicos excelled in defence, seeing the former captain remain in his trusted role in the centre for most of the year.
Perhaps we could see the two split their time in the midfield? Or, as he did at times in 2022, Daicos could sneak forward here and there.
Questions around De Goey have remained for years, and this year is no different.
This time we ask, what is the best the soon-to-be 27-year-old can produce?
Fresh off a five-year contract extension and an interrupted season due to off-field indiscretions, will De Goey finally play a consistent brand of footy and be in the clear from distractions?
At his best, he is a match-winner, and his early years saw him compared to Dustin Martin, but inconsistency has more astutely seen him likened to Jake Stringer, who finds himself amongst the elite on his best day.
But with his future confirm, will De Goey look to show why he warrants a significant paycheque? Or just coast along?
What the Magpies want, and certainly could get in 2023, is a damaging midfielder who can also provide up forward.
De Goey seems to have found his place in the midfield. Many games saw him adjudged best-afield, or amongst it, including star performances in two finals last year.
When on, he's arguably the most important player in black and white.
He has always been a player that fluctuates in form, and a late start following an interrupted pre-season could lead to yet another frustrating campaign for De Goey, but the ceiling remains for the polarising Magpie.
When a club signs a new coach, sometimes in the immediate period and/or first season they overperform.
You don't have to look too far back for evidence, with Essendon flourishing in 2021 in what was Ben Rutten's first season at Tullamarine wher they surprisingly made finals. The following year, they made the bottom four.
This leaves many questioning if Collingwood can achieve what they did in 2022 all over again.
Craig McRae in his first season coached a masterclass, taking his team to a preliminary final and winning the AFLCA Coach of the Year Award.
The circumstances of their performance in 2022 also raise questions if it can be sustained. All those close wins have been deemed 'lucky' by media and opposition supporters and it remains to be seen if they continue to win with the help of said 'luck'.
Their two finals losses were by a combined seven points, so maybe that 'luck' did run out.
McRae constantly expressed in press conferences and interviews that his side practised winning close games constantly, but now with a pre-season to study the Pies, the opposition may have the answer in 2023.
Collingwood were one of the busiest teams in the trade period, bringing across four players from rival clubs, on top of several draftees and rookie signings.
Looking specifically at the four trade and free agency additions, Magpies fans will ponder how their Round 1 side will take shape.
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The biggest recruit is 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, who should instantly improve the Pies' midfield pack immensely.
The biggest weakness in their game last year was in the centre, where they were smashed in clearances despite the strong campaign.
Now with someone who was the best clearance player in the game at his peak, they should be better off.
WHile perhaps not at his peak heading into the new season, Mitchell could rekindle some of his best form when moving into a new midfield group that is filled with senior and emerging talent.
Collingwood have no shortage of outside runners. Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey and Taylor Adams can all burst through the centre, while both Josh Daicos and Steele Sidebottom are also eagerly awaiting the ball.
Daniel McStay is being brought in and will likely support Brody Mihocek, who will remain the target key forward.
McStay should become one of the key targets up forward. If he doesn't mark the ball, he'll bring it to ground and that's where the small forwards are waiting.
One of those being new recruit Bobby Hill, who some don't see adding much, but if he breaks out, Pies fans should be very excited.
Down back, Billy Frampton may take the fullback role, leaving the other defenders to roam and act as intercept markers, something Darcy Moore and co do best.
After Brodie Grundy went down with injury, it left Collingwood with Darcy Cameron as the number one ruckman.
Cameron performed extremely well, enough that it saw the club see no issue with trading teir million-dollar ruckman to free up space.
Cameron teamed up with Mason Cox to make a ruck duo that contended with the competition's best.
Now with Grundy out the door, it's up to Cameron to carry the load.
He averaged career highs in disposals, hit-outs, tackles and clearances in 2022, as expected given it's the most games he's played in a season to string along consistent showings.
Ruck
Hitouts
Tackles
Disposals
The Pies will want him to improve further, given the load is all his now, and without a suitable replacement, Cox can't be depended on solely while Aiden Begg and Oscar Steene are still 20 and 19 years old respectively.