Collingwood’s playing contingent see their experienced list as an advantage in the competition, believing the AFL’s oldest squad won’t be slowing down and instead will look to equal the feats of two seasons ago.
The Magpies will enter the new campaign with the highest average age for the second straight year, amassing a mean of 26.4 years and 102.1 games of experience for each player – the latter being 16.2 games higher than the next best in Brisbane.
The off-season saw Collingwood bolster its list with mature talent rather than place a large focus on the draft, acquiring Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey after finishing outside of the finals frame for the first time since 2021
The Magpies aren’t giving any weight to the thought their older list will have a negative impact in 2025, believing the current list can go the distance and replicate the efforts of the club’s 2023 premiership unit.
“As good (as 2023). Every year you get more experience,” Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek said of the club’s list on Monday.
“A lot of our younger players are getting those games under their belt. The addition of Harry, Tim and Dan and the experience they bring (helps).
“The more games you play the easier footy is. You can’t deny our team is better”
Fellow forward Will Hoskin-Elliott echoed Mihocek’s take, believing the connection at Olympic Park only grows as the team sticks together.
“The experience is the main thing and the connection you get [grows] the more you play together,” he said.
“It’s exciting and we can’t wait to play”
Along with recruit Membrey, Mihocek will help headline a new-look forward line under coach Craig McRae this year as the premiership Magpie and Dan McStay look to rekindle their partnership for the first time since their flag-winning run.
Mihocek missed the final seven games of the 2024 season due to a ruptured pectoral tendon, seeing him miss McStay’s long-awaited return from an ACL setback.
With Membrey also in the mix and Mihocek “fully healed” from his most recent injury matter, the sky is the limit for Collingwood’s attacking force.
“The forward six is working well together,” Mihocek added.
“Tim coming in has been amazing. He’s shown his strengths at training and is doing really well. Dan is getting fitter and stronger every week.
Hopefully there’s a bit of a chop out. We didn’t have many talls last year. If it’s a fully fit list it’s going to be a tough one to crack into. It’s going to be good.”
Collingwood are set to venture to Collingwood next week for a practice match session involving both Gold Coast and Brisbane, with a Community Series clash to follow later this month against Richmond.
The Magpies start their home and away season with a trip to Engie Stadium to face GWS for Opening Round on Sunday, March 9 before a first home game against Port Adelaide at the MCG the week after.
