<p>The<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules"> 2026 AFL season</a> is right around the corner, with the Opening Round officially kicking off on Thursday, March 5. Here at the Huddle, we’re continuing our deep dive into all 18 clubs to find out which clubs will be the winners and losers in 2026.</p> <p>This season presents a fascinating challenge for the team that everybody loves to hate.</p> <p>Collingwood Magpies looked unstoppable mid-season in 2025, rushing to the top of the table after winning 14 out of 15 matches. Seemingly out of nowhere, they ran out of steam, limping into the finals looking flat as other contenders were redlining.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Eventually, they were bounced out convincingly by a clinical <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/brisbane-lions-season-wins-2026-9942689">Brisbane Lions</a> outfit.</p> <p>Has father time caught up with Collingwood? The oldest squad in the AFL competition last year.</p> <p>Some player movement has brought a fresh injection of youth into their 2026 roster; Craig McRae has a clear plan to address their shortcomings of last year.</p> <p>One thing we’ve learned: never write off the pies. With critics gleefully predicting their downfall, that famous Collingwood chip on the shoulder will be bigger than ever in 2026.&nbsp;</p> <p>The question remains one of experience vs enthusiasm, two key ingredients for any premiership team. Does this veteran group, who brought the club to 2023 premiership glory have what it takes to go on one more fairytale finals run?</p> <p>Or do they need a changing of the guard, an influx of new blood to replace a team core whose best football is behind them?</p> <p>Find out in our Collingwood Magpies 2026 season preview.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood Magpies Players 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Collingwood's off-season was defined by a significant clearing of the decks, parting ways with several senior figures to introduce fresh blood.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Collingwood Magpies Key Signings and Draftees:</h3> <p>Tall forward Jack Buller was recruited from the Sydney Swans to fill the role left vacant by veteran Brody Mihocek. <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-rising-star">Rising star</a> Tyan Prindable is a left-footed midfield option joining the Pies via pick 32.</p> <p>And mature age midfielder Angus Anderson was drafted straight from SANFL, where he was best on ground in Sturt’s GF win in 2025.</p> <p>199cm ruckman Zac McCarthy (pick 55) rounds out the list of young talent to be drafted into the Magpies top-squad.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Collingwood Magpies Players Lost</h3> <p>In a brutal cull for the 2026 season, the Magpies have shed a combined total of more than 1000 AFL premiership games of experience.</p> <p>Those departing include a who’s who of the 2023 grand final winning Pies, showing that coach McRae isn’t afraid to have the tough conversations and move on underperforming servants of the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Key departures include Brody Mihocek (<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/melbourne-season-wins-2026-9942724">Melbourne</a>), 2.11m giant ruckman Mason Cox (<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/fremantle-season-wins-2026-9942718">Fremantle</a>), 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell (retirement), Will Hoskin-Elliott (retired) and Oleg Markov (delisted).</p> <p>Finlay Macrae, Ash Johnson and Charlie Dean were also moved on from the Magpies following the 2025 season.</p> <p>The experience and quality lost far outweighs the calibre of the club’s new signings, which reflect a long-term view from Collingwood’s administration.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood Magpies Main Man</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Nick Daicos</h3> <p>There is no debating that <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-all-australian">All Australian</a> Nick Daicos is the heartbeat of this team. His skill, execution and ability to deliver in clutch moments makes him the barometer for Collingwood’s success or failure.&nbsp;</p> <p>At his best Daicos is a dead-set freak of nature and his consistency is second to none.</p> <p>He is the tip of the spear in Collingwood’s attack and if the Pies have any chance of reaching the Prelims again in 2026, he’ll need to stay fit and in form.</p> <p>It’s hard to believe that Nick Daicos is still only 23, he’s been an elite player from day 1 in the AFL and hasn’t looked back. After being runner up for the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-brownlow-medal">Brownlow Medal </a>in 2024 and 2025, the midfielder is highly favoured to win the AFL’s Best &amp; Fairest in 2026.</p> <p>Daicos has objectively improved every year since his debut, if that pattern continues, maybe his best will come just when the Pies need it in 2026.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood Magpies Draw Difficulty Rating</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If the Magpies are going to climb back into the top 4, they’ll have to do it the hard way.</p> <p>The Pies have copped a brutal draw with a difficult run to start the season and double ups against 4 of last season’s top 6. Collingwood will play <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/adelaide-crows-season-wins-2026-9942688">Adelaide</a>, Brisbane, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/geelong-cats-season-wins-2026-9942720">Geelong</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/hawthorn-season-wins-2026-9942723">Hawthorn</a> twice in 2026.</p> <p>They also play arch-rivals Carlton twice at the MCG, first in round 6 in a clash that we already have circled in calendars.</p> <p>The Pies have some small reprieve in also taking on last year’s cellar-dwellers <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/west-coast-eagles-season-wins-2026-9942732">West Coast Eagles</a> twice in the regular season.</p> <p><strong>Difficulty rating:</strong> Hard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood Magpies Season Prediction 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The big question for Craig McRae is whether the Collingwood machine can still hum after losing over 1000 games of top-line experience. Amongst the biggest losses will be the relentless effort of Brody Mihocek and the sheer presence of Mason Cox.</p> <p>The success of new signing Jack Buller filling that void is critical to their scoring potency.</p> <p>While veterans Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe have recommitted for 2026, the reliance on ageing stars may see the Pies struggle to maintain their trademark intensity for the whole season.</p> <p>Collingwood fans should be looking forward to 2027 and beyond, while the future is bright for the Pies, this year will be one of transition and teething problems.</p> <p>We expect Collingwood to remain competitive in fighting for the top 10, but a run deep into the finals seems unlikely.</p> <p><strong>Predicted finish:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl-futures-multi-hub/nrl-top-4-finish-2026-9840354">8th.&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood Magpies Predicted Round 1 Team</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FB:</strong> B.Maynard, B.Frampton, I.Quaynor</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> S.Pendlebury, D.Moore (C), H.Perryman</p> <p><strong>C: </strong>J.Daicos, N.Daicos, S.Sidebottom</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>B.McCreery, D.McStay, P.Lipinski</p> <p><strong>FF:</strong> J.Elliott, T.Membrey, L.Schultz</p> <p><strong>FOLL:</strong> D.Cameron, J.De Goey, N.Long</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> D.Houston, J.Crisp, J.Howe, J.Buller, W.Parker</p>