Questions over Collingwood's list have continued since the club's preliminary final defeat, with concerns surrounding the club's emerging talent having been constant.
The Magpies will carry the oldest list into the league once again, but the gap to the next most experienced side has significantly shortened after a host of veterans left Olympic Park.
Some minor tweaks via the trade and draft periods have strengthened some clear list needs, but the club couldn't secure the experienced quality midfielder it was chasing.
With the Magpies looking to uncover their next wave of talent while still relying on their most senior figures, we take a look at what Collingwood's best 23 for 2026 might look like...
Defenders
Collingwood's rearguard was a clear positive in 2025, having conceded the fewest points during the home and away season while being a touch undermanned.
Skipper Darcy Moore returned to form and was rock solid, while Brayden Maynard and Jeremy Howe were reliable as ever.
Isaac Quaynor lifted too, often shutting down the opposition's best small forward to alleviate some of the ground-level pressure.
That senior quartet will lead from the back in 2026, with Billy Frampton to try and hold his place as the second tall defender after a 16-game season last year.
Reef McInnes could press his case for a recall after missing most of 2025 with an ACL injury, having developed into a backman who has been highly rated internally.
The half-back options will be a talking point to start the new season, with Josh Daicos becoming the club's main distributor in 2025 despite the arrival of All-Australian Dan Houston.
The latter struggled to continue his starring form in his new colours, moving up to the wing by the end of last season.
Daicos could return to the midfield mix and allow Houston to thrive once again, but whether those magnets will be moved is a waiting game.
Harry Perryman and Jack Crisp are set to shift between midfield and defence, while Wil Parker looks to be at the front of the queue for those looking to break into the best 23.
The Magpies have some young backmen who will eye more senior action, led by Harry DeMattia, Jakob Ryan and Tew Jiath.
This cannot be Collingwood’s best 23. A like-for-like replacement of Buller for Mihocek in a team that didn’t make the GF will not do it. The Pies need new blood in the team with the likes of DeMattia, Jiath and Anderson for starters.
Ned Long won’t miss best 23.
As a Pie supporter, if he does miss, another mid will be included, not Reef. Reef will only come in for a defender, he’s not that good in other positions. Fly likes players who can play other positions really well. Although Reef has played as a forward, he wouldn’t go there unless we run out of forwards due to injury. He is a mid but I think speed has taken over as far as he is concerned atm, maybe one day.
Anderson will come in when Pendles rests. Swadling or Prindable will come in when another aging player is rested.
Swadling looks like a gun and is very very good so he may even play before the others.
I reckon DeGoey will sit mostly in the forward half due to not taking a risk of him being injured.
Howe may be rested throughout the year, giving some other defenders a go.
I think Josh D will move into the middle and wing, Houston will be in the backline, Sidey won’t be wing, to slow now, he’ll be forward half and in the middle at times.
West will come in when we rest someone in the forward half.
The rest depends on how they go in the 2’s and injuries.