AFL Team Profile: Collingwood

Collingwood were the stand-out team in 2023, going on to win the grand final, and they will be out to complete the double in the season ahead.

The Pies broke their 13-year premiership drought with victory over Brisbane Lions and they are priced at 5.00 to win it again in 2024.

Geelong and Melbourne have both failed to do that in the last couple of seasons, but Collingwood have the list and will be in the hunt once again.

Let’s take a look at the Pies' credentials as they prepare to defend their AFL premiership.

Hot Pies in 2023

Collingwood were the best team throughout the 2023 AFL season and it was fitting that they went on to win the grand final.

During the regular season they won 18 of their 23 games with a 127.00 percentage and looked unstoppable at one point.

There were a couple of slip-ups towards the end of the campaign when losing to fellow premiership hopefuls Carlton and Brisbane.

However they picked themselves up and won the minor premiership by four points, ahead of Brisbane and Port Adelaide.

They were made to work hard in finals, with all three games turning out to be very close encounters.

Collingwood edged out Melbourne by seven points in the opening qualifier, before an epic battle with Greater Western Sydney in the Preliminary final saw them win by just one point.

The grand final against the Lions also turned out to be a classic and went right to the last minute of the game.

But the Pies had shown all season that they could perform when the pressure was on and prevail in the close battles. And they did so again, winning by four points.

Such character will be needed again if they are to go back-to-back.

Daicos one to watch

Nick Daicos had an outstanding 2023 season and many believe he should have won the Brownlow Medal.

The midfielder finished second behind Lachie Neale in the voting but can be backed at 5.50 to win it in 2024.

The 21-year-old is blessed with bags of skill and blistering speed and looks sure to excite the Collingwood faithful once again in the season ahead.

He also has plenty of quality around him in midfield, including brother Josh, Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell.

The Collingwood defence is also solid and is marshalled by influential skipper Darcy Moore. Jeremy Howe and Nathan Murphy will also be players to watch.

Up forward, Bobbie Hill was electric in the grand final, winning the Norm Smith Medal, and has a huge role to play in 2024.

Collingwood to tackle Giants

Collingwood will begin their title defence with a tricky trip to take on Greater Western Sydney.

The Pies beat them by just a point in the preliminary final and are priced at 2.05 to get the job done. GWS are the hot fancies at 1.78.

Then the week after they are at home to Sydney Swans and can be backed at 1.44, with the Swans available at 2.80.