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Collingwood had a season to remember, with just 12 points the difference between victory and defeat in their three thrilling finals combined. Home and away the minor premiers won 21 games, with 37 players wearing the colours in 2023 by the time the grand final arrived.<\/p>\n
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Collingwood coach Craig McRae and skipper Darcy Moore hold up the 2023 premiership cup.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Coach Craig McRae created a culture that saw selflessness as the team\u2019s guiding light, with players stepping up when Taylor Adams and Dan McStay suffered cruel injuries in the finals, while John Noble was dropped in a brutal September selection call.<\/p>\n We rated each player and the coach\u2019s season out of 10.<\/p>\n Craig McRae (coach)<\/strong> Patrick Lipinski Jordan De Goey<\/strong> Isaac Quaynor Brayden Maynard Jamie Elliott loomed as a contant threat for the Pies in attack.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Jamie Elliott<\/strong> Tom Mitchell<\/strong> Josh Daicos<\/strong> Trent Bianco John Noble<\/strong> Scott Pendlebury<\/strong> Dan McStay<\/strong> Tom Wilson<\/strong> Taylor Adams hugs captain Darcy Moore moments after Collingwood\u2019s premiership win.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Taylor Adams<\/strong> Darcy Cameron<\/strong> Nathan Kreuger<\/strong> Billy Frampton<\/strong> Finlay McRae<\/strong> Will Kelly Trey Ruscoe<\/strong> Steele Sidebottom<\/strong> Bobby Hill<\/strong> Jakob Ryan Jack Crisp celebrates one of his two booming goals in the decider.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Joe Armao<\/cite><\/p>\n Jack Crisp Reef McInnes Nathan Murphy Darcy Moore Beau McCreery<\/strong> Will Hoskin-Elliott<\/strong> Jack Ginnivan<\/strong> Nick Daicos<\/strong> Harvey Harrison<\/strong> Oleg Markov<\/strong> Injury nearly ruined Jeremy Howe\u2019s year but he fought back to play a crucial role in the flag.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>The Age<\/cite><\/p>\n Jeremy Howe<\/strong> Ash Johnson<\/strong>9\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Excellent communicator managed to extract the team out of a late-season malaise to perform at their best on grand final day. He has revived the careers of many and changed the perception many had of the club. The master of teaching the team to win close games, he has the Midas touch.<\/p>\n5\/10<\/h3>\n
(14 games, 5 goals)<\/strong>
Played first game in round 13 after dislocating shoulder in final practice match. Did not capture 2022 form, but coach never lost faith in his transition running.<\/p>\n9\/10<\/h3>\n
(21 games, 18 goals)<\/strong>
A career-best season capped by crucial goal with five minutes remaining in grand final. Best on ground in preliminary final, matured to combine hard work with talent.<\/p>\n7\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(26 games, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Reliable, classy running defender who is good overhead. He can defend or attack with poise and now sits with game\u2019s best running defenders.<\/p>\n7\/10<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>(25 games, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Pies\u2019 heart and soul who is a born competitor. His influence was not found in statistics but his desperation to win, which rubbed off on the team.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
7\/10<\/h3>\n
(24 games, 38 goals)<\/strong>
Clutch player who led the forward line with aplomb, although he had his accuracy radar off at times during the season and was quiet in finals.<\/p>\n7\/10<\/h3>\n
(26 games, 7 goals)<\/strong>
Brilliant addition who delivered exactly what the club wanted as a first-touch midfielder. Great grand final after fantastic first half of season.<\/p>\n8\/10<\/h3>\n
(26 games, 16 goals)<\/strong>
All-Australian wingman who elevated himself in 2023. A clever ball user and his gather, swerve and kick late in the preliminary final was underrated.<\/p>\n5\/10<\/h3>\n
(1 game, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Came in as a rolling wingman and was a depth player. As a lifelong Magpies fan, would have enjoyed the win.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/h3>\n
(23 games, 3 goals)<\/strong>
Kicked the winning goal against Adelaide but was dropped for finals after 83 consecutive matches as running defender. Still hard to work out how he lost his spot.<\/p>\n8\/10<\/h3>\n
(25 games, 9 goals)<\/strong>
Handed over the captaincy but was crucial as an on-field leader. Has not lost his class and shows no signs of slowing. His partnership with Nick Daicos and relationship with Jordan De Goey brings out their best.<\/p>\n7\/10<\/h3>\n
(14 games, 20 goals)<\/strong>
A focal point up forward sorely missed in grand final because of injury after playing crucial role in getting them there, kicking exactly two goals in 8 of his last nine games.<\/p>\n4\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(1 game, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Late inclusion in Gather Round when he was substitute. Helped Magpies beat St Kilda but did not get close again.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
7\/10<\/h3>\n
(23 games, 13 goals)<\/strong>
The biggest hard-luck story of the flag after hamstring forced him to miss final two games. His grunt work early in qualifying final was crucial and his overall year solid as a pressure forward and ball winning midfielder.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/h3>\n
(19 games, 5 goals)<\/strong>
Form dropped off as season went on after injury derailed good start, but performed role well enough under duress to keep opposition honest. An excellent mark and a competitor.<\/p>\n4\/10<\/h3>\n
(2 games, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Two games early in the season before injury again interrupted his season. Hasn\u2019t had an impact at the Pies.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(16 games, 7 goals)<\/strong>
No world-beater and a class below in grand final but made a handy contribution during the season in defence, ruck and forward.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(1 game, 0 goals)<\/strong>
A promising player awaiting his opportunity as an inside midfielder. Only played one game but was next man up behind Tom Mitchell and Taylor Adams.<\/p>\n5\/10<\/h3>\n
(2 games, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Had an impact as a sub on Anzac Day but only managed one more game with the defence difficult to break into.<\/p>\n5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(1 game, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Magpie fans have a soft spot for Ruscoe as he performs well when included as a defender, but unable to crack a regular senior game.<\/p>\n8\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(20 games, 4 goals)<\/strong>
Now in the freak category after another brilliant season on the wing. Smart, composed and once again a good ball user, he runs all day.<\/p>\n8\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(24 games, 33 goals)<\/strong>
Norm Smith Medal, 33 goals, speed and flair, durable and dangerous. An important acquisition who made an impression from round one.<\/p>\n5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(1 game, 0 goal)<\/strong>
Good effort to debut in first season although concussed out of game early. Very promising defender.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
8\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(26 games, 10 goals)<\/strong>
After slow start was back to his best-and-fairest form by season\u2019s end. Four goals in finals and constant run fitting the Magpies\u2019 surging style perfectly. Still underrated, he has now strung together 214 consecutive games.<\/p>\n4\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(5 games, 3 goals)<\/strong>
Given a chance early playing forward but could not grasp it. Subbed on or off in four of his five matches.<\/p>\n7\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(24 games, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Played his role as Darcy Moore\u2019s sidekick brilliantly, elevating his game when Jeremy Howe was injured. Courageous and reliable defender in the air.<\/p>\n8.5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(24 games, 0 goals)<\/strong>
Arguably Collingwood\u2019s most important player, the intercept defender was at his best before the bye and in the opening two finals. All-Australian as Collingwood skipper, he forces teams to take risks with their ball movement.<\/p>\n7\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(25 games, 17 goals)<\/strong>
Executed his role perfectly as hard-running high forward. Ferocious tackler who also has pace. Still learning.<\/p>\n6.5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(24 games, 10 goals)<\/strong>
Silenced any critics in the qualifying final, his versatility as a flanker either forward or back essential. Experienced and well drilled.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(14 games, 12 goals)<\/strong>
On the fringes right until the end after below-par pre-season. Now realises his career will be built on hard work. A clever player, he performed well in final two rounds to cement a finals spot.<\/p>\n9.5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(22 games, 19 goals)<\/strong>
As close to a perfect season as a second-year player could have. Injury cost him a Brownlow Medal and will be best and fairest in a premiership year at 20. Elusive, damaging, brave and creative, he had the best year of any player in the AFL in 2023.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(4 games, 3 goals)<\/strong>
Forced his way into team on back of hard work and performing his role better than others at the time. A season that showed he can play at top level.<\/p>\n6.5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(23 games, 1 goal)<\/strong>
Only injury to Charlie Dean won him the final spot on Collingwood\u2019s list, with the Magpies making use of his pace. A livewire on and off the field, his ball use improved and he connected rather than created.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
7.5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(14 games, 7 goals)<\/strong>
A champion who fought back from a horrific injury in round one to play a critical role in defence. No longer a high-flier, he is steady and prepared to be brave when his teammates go into their shell.<\/p>\n6\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n
(15 games, 21 goals)<\/strong>
Talented but did not play after round 21 then injury probably stopped him from playing in grand final. A good mark he just could not impact games enough to keep his spot.<\/p>\n7.5\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n