How Collingwood fell from AFL grand finalists to cellar-dwellers …
Collingwood’s dramatic fall in the AFL has stunned fans. Just two seasons ago, the Magpies surged to a Grand Final, playing exhilarating, high-pressure football under Craig McRae. Now, they find themselves near the bottom of the ladder in 2025.
Injuries to key players like Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, and Nick Daicos have disrupted team chemistry. Veteran fatigue has also crept in, with aging stars like Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom struggling to keep up. Recruitment misfires and a lack of emerging talent have added pressure.
Opposition teams have decoded McRae’s game plan, exposing structural weaknesses. Confidence has drained, and close games that once fell Collingwood’s way are now going the other direction.
The club insists it’s rebuilding and remains committed to its long-term strategy, but for now, the Magpie Army watches nervously as its once-mighty team fights to avoid the wooden spoon.
