The scars of failure cut deep. For the Collingwood Magpies, the wounds of their failed premiership defense in 2024 still linger, haunting their every move as they gear up for a season of redemption in 2025. From the outside, it might seem like just another year, just another challenge.
But inside the walls of the club, the hunger to atone for last year’s disappointment burns fiercer than ever.
“It hurts,” admitted Magpies captain Darcy Moore in a recent interview. “No one plays this game to come close. No one plays to fall short. Last year, we let ourselves down, we let the fans down, and we don’t want to feel that way again.”
A Season to Forget
Rewinding to the highs of 2023, Collingwood was on top of the world. A historic premiership, a city drenched in black and white, and a fanbase that roared in celebration.
The Magpies had finally broken through under Craig McRae, delivering a flag that will be remembered for generations. But success breeds expectation, and 2024 was supposed to be the beginning of a dynasty, not the start of another heartbreak.
The season started strong, as Collingwood showcased glimpses of their 2023 brilliance. Yet, as the weeks rolled on, cracks began to appear.
Injuries took their toll, form wavered, and their once-dominant game plan started to be exposed by hungrier, more desperate teams. By the time finals arrived, the Magpies found themselves clinging onto hope rather than commanding respect.
Their eventual exit was a bitter pill to swallow. The fire that had driven them in 2023 seemed to flicker out at the worst possible time. For a club that prides itself on resilience, the 2024 campaign was a brutal reminder that in the AFL, success is never guaranteed.
The Pain That Fuels Redemption
For some teams, a failed premiership defence can break their spirit. For Collingwood, it has become fuel for an unrelenting 2025 campaign. Players have spoken openly about how the disappointment of last year has shaped their pre-season efforts.
“There’s no hiding from it,” said coach Craig McRae. “We weren’t good enough when it mattered, and we’ve spent the summer making sure that changes in 2025.”
Training intensity has reportedly hit new heights. Players who previously coasted through sessions are now attacking drills with newfound aggression. The senior group has led from the front, with Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey, and Darcy Moore setting standards that leave no room for complacency.
“You can feel it in the air,” says vice-captain Nick Daicos. “Everyone is switched on. There’s a different energy this year. We’ve seen what failure looks like, and we’re doing everything in our power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Tactical Tweaks and Key Recruits
One of the biggest criticisms of Collingwood’s 2024 campaign was their inability to adapt. While their fast, daring style had won them a flag in 2023, opposition teams had worked them out.
Too often, they were caught on the back foot, struggling to respond when their high-risk, high-reward approach backfired.
This off-season, McRae and his coaching staff have been hard at work making adjustments. A renewed focus on defensive structure has been evident in pre-season hit-outs, with assistant coaches working tirelessly to shore up the backline and ensure greater flexibility when momentum swings against them.
Recruitment has also been a priority. With the departures of a few key veterans, the Magpies have moved aggressively in the trade period, bringing in players who can add depth and versatility to their squad. The midfield, which at times looked overrun in 2024, has been bolstered with new talent, ensuring fresh legs when the going gets tough.
“We’ve identified where we fell short, and we’ve addressed it,” said Magpies GM of Football, Graham Wright. “We’re not here to make up the numbers in 2025. We’re here to win.”
The Mental Battle: Overcoming the Ghosts of 2024
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Collingwood in 2025 isn’t tactical or physical—it’s mental. The weight of expectation is heavier than ever. The wounds of 2024 are still fresh, and the fear of repeating history lurks in the back of every player’s mind.
How do you move forward from failure? How do you shake off the self-doubt that creeps in after falling short? These are the questions the Magpies have been forced to confront.
Sports psychologists have been working closely with the playing group, helping them reset their mindset for the year ahead. McRae has also emphasized a back-to-basics approach—reminding his squad that success isn’t built on past glories but on daily commitment to improvement.
“You don’t win premierships talking about the past,” McRae told the group in a recent team meeting. “You win them by focusing on what’s in front of you. 2024 is gone. 2025 is ours if we want it badly enough.”
The Road Ahead: A Defining Season for Collingwood
There’s no denying that 2025 is a make-or-break year for this Magpies squad. The lessons of 2024 are painful, but they could also be the catalyst for something special. With a rejuvenated squad, a reworked game plan, and a burning desire to prove their doubters wrong, Collingwood enters this season with one mission: reclaiming their throne.
The journey won’t be easy. The competition is fiercer than ever, with powerhouse clubs reloading for their own premiership pushes. Every team will be gunning for Collingwood, eager to keep them from redemption. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about this club, it’s that they thrive when the odds are against them.
For Magpie fans, the message is clear: buckle up. 2025 is going to be one hell of a ride.