Collingwood were without a doubt the most scrutinised team over the course of the 2017 season, and it's hard to argue they didn't deserve to be.
The Pies slumped to 2-6 after eight rounds and were sitting in 17th place, after an off-season filled with hope and excitement given the inclusions of Daniel Wells, Chris Mayne and Will Hoskin-Elliott.
From that point of the season onwards, the story line surrounding Nathan Buckley's future began to grow and the heat began to rise, with the coaching position a hot topic almost every day until Buckley signed a new two-year deal last week.
Three wins on the bounce saw the Pies move back to within touching distance of the eight, but they lost their way once again, and slumped to a 5-10 record through 15 rounds.
Only two losses from their final six games saw the Pies regain some respectability, and those performances ultimately saved Buckley's coach career.
Best win:
With Travis Varcoe and Darcy Moore leaving the field before three-quarter time and with the Pies already missing captain Scott Pendlebury with a finger injury, they didn't look like being able to compete with the Eagles when they went into the final break 18 points down.
In one of their best quarters of football all season long, the Pies kicked the last five goals of the game - with two of those going to Jordan De Goey who put in a match winning performance - and gave their fans something to cheer about.
Adam Treloar and Jack Crisp stepped up for the Pies and led from the front with De Goey, while Jeremy Howe's was strong once again.
Worst loss:
It was a big build up for Collingwood's 125th birthday celebrations, but Carlton didn't give the Pies an inch in round seven, and led at every change on the way to a 23-point win.
After beating Geelong the weekend prior, the Pies were coming in to the game off a strong result, but they were no match for the young Blues, and could manage only an amazing 45 effective kicks in their forward half.
Buckley said his side were "outbodied, outmuscled and outgrunted" around the football, and although it was their worst performance of the season, unfortunately for Pies fans it wasn't the only one in which they were outplayed.
Most improved: Jack Crisp
Former Lion Jack Crisp began his season in the midfield, but elevated his game to another level once he moved behind the ball.
Like the Pies, Crisp grew into the season as the year wore on, and had four of his best five possession games after round 14.
After playing every game in 2017, Crisp finished the season with an average of 21.5 disposals, 5.6 marks, 4.1 tackles, 2.1 rebound 50s and 2.4 inside 50s per game.
Best and fairest: Jeremy Howe/Taylor Adams
Jeremy Howe was rewarded for his impressive season with a spot in the All-Australian 40-man squad, and would certainly be in line for Collingwood's best and fairest award.
The high-flyer played in all but one match for the Pies in 2017, and was even elevated into the club's leadership group midway through the year, due to his on-field ability to direct the back line.
Howe averaged career-highs in disposals (21.8 per game), marks (8.6) and rebound 50s (4.1) in his most consistent season to date.
Taylor Adams also enjoyed on of his most consistent seasons to date as well during 2017, completing his first full season of AFL football.
Adams played every game and stepped up in the absence of captain Scott Pendlebury in the final rounds of the season, achieving back-to-back weeks of 30+ touches and 2+ goals against Adelaide and North Melbourne.
The 23-year-old averaged 29.5 disposals, 5.1 marks, 6.4 tackles, 4.2 inside 50s and 5.6 clearances per game across an impressive season.
What the off-season could look like:
It's going to be an interesting off-season for the Pies, as they seem to have their eyes on multiple players heading into the trade period.
Collingwood are reportedly interested in Adelaide's Jake Lever and Bulldog Stewart Crameri, but they've also got the future of one of their own recruits to deal with.
Chris Mayne played just three AFL games this season after his long-term, big money move from Fremantle, with Nathan Buckley recently stating the terms of the deal may have been a little mix up.
If the Pies can't get Mayne up and running next season, it could be one of the worst free agent signings in the short history of the off-season period.
2018 crystal ball:
The first 5-6 weeks of the 2018 season is going to be crucial to the Pies and Buckley.
If they start strongly, the decision to re-sign Buckley will be looked at in a positive light, and the confidence and excitement around the club could come back to them.
If they start poorly, the decision to extend Buckley's contract could be seen as a quick fix to a greater problem, and his future at the helm will be questioned weekly, like it was for most of 2017.
All has to go right for Collingwood to play finals next season, and it looks as though they may still be missing one or two key components of a finals side. 10 wins and 10th-12th place on the ladder may have to do.
