2022 Numbers:
Points Against (Brennan Jakovich Shield): 1763 - 8th
Inside 50's Against Per Goal: 4.48 - 8th
Scarlett Silvagni Medal Votes: 20 - 14th
Defenders:
Keys: Charlie Dean, Billy Frampton, Jeremy Howe, Will Kelly, Darcy Moore, Nathan Murphy
General: Nick Daicos, Arlo Draper, Oleg Markov, Brayden Maynard, John Noble, Isaac Quaynor, Trey Ruscoe, Jakob Ryan
In: Billy Frampton, Oleg Markov, Jakob Ryan
Out: Isaac Chugg (delisted), Jack Magden (delisted), Jordan Roughead (retired)
Ah, Collingwood, the great "what if" of the 2022 season.
Whether that be "what if they lost half of those games," or "what if they managed to kick one extra goal against Sydney," they were the ultimate enigma of the season.
So what does that mean for 2023? It's important to remember that they finished 3rd, 4th, and 8th before the chaos of 2021 saw them finish second last, which puts the top four finish in 2022 into a bit more perspective.
This was a very strong side that had a bad year, with experience on all lines.
Collingwood's biggest issue is probably their forward line, but we're here to talk defence.
Darcy Moore has come off yet another good season to be made captain, and seems to be flourishing in the role if the pre-season is anything to go by, and is well supported by Howe and Murphy.
The addition of Billy Frampton covers for the depth lost by the retirement of Jordan Roughead, and Maynard comes off an All-Australian season, supported by Quaynor and the recruitment of Markov, so where does the improvement come?
Well, likely from the bottom few, the unassuming workhorses, that are Collingwood's weak links all over the ground. Noble showed a lot of improvement in 2022 but probably has new levels to go to, and growth from Kelly and Ruscoe would go a long way to returning Collingwood to the top four.
Back Pocket Rating: B