After the New Year has come and gone, the process for formalising positions, on and off-field is critical for all clubs for the season ahead. It is this time of year the changes in leadership come, and get either praised or scrutinised depending on the outcome.

Collingwood has released their new leadership group for 2018, and while many were calling for star midfielder, Scott Pendlebury to maybe look to relieve his duties as captain, Collingwood put their faith in him for season 2018. A strong on-field leader, leading by his actions as well as his words, Pendlebury was the obvious choice for the Pies who are looking to return to finals action for the first time since 2013.

However, it was more so the remaining leadership group members who have been spoken about, adding a mix of youth and veteran experience to the mix for one of the powerhouses of the AFL.

Former Saint and Kangaroo, Nick Dal Santo, has applauded the move, telling SEN Afternoons, "the dynamic and diversity is what helps in a leadership group," outlining the different perspectives from [Lynden] Dunn, [Taylor] Adams and [Jeremy] Howe, all coming from other clubs.

"The interesting part is the three of them - Howe, Adams and Dunn - are from other football clubs," later continuing to say, "I like to have a leadership that has different perspectives. If they're all Collingwood-raised players, they're going to roughly have the same opinion or the same outcome on a particular matter," Dal Santo added.

Pendlebury later commented on the recent announcement of Dunn's arrival in the leadership group, "The moment he [Dunn] walked in the door you took note of his voice around the track and the locker room, and the experience he brings I think is invaluable for our young group."

Steele Sidebottom will be Pendlebury's right hand man, being named Vice-Captain for 2018.

It's been a difficult few years for the Pies, with results not being up to the standard they are used to, as well as off-field scrutiny with their coach, Nathan Buckley.

They will be hoping to get off to a great start and surge back into finals contention as they begin their season against Hawthorn, on March 24.