Last night, Collingwood President Jeff Browne spoke at the 2024 AFL Season Launch.

"I would like to thank the AFL Commission and all the other competing Clubs for the 2023 Season. It is one that will live forever in our memories at Collingwood.

We are all very fortunate to play the best game in the world, in the best competition in the world and it is a privilege and honour to be able to stand before you and accept this hard-won premiership flag.

I pay tribute to the brave and committed playing group at Collingwood and all of their families, who gave their all and never faltered in their belief and discipline, right throughout the season.

So capably lead by our Captain Darcy Moore, the new Collingwood provided a thrilling example of the best of AFL football and with average attendances at our games at the MCG of 78,000, I know so many of our fans witnessed firsthand the joy of victory, tight finishes and near perfect execution of our game plan.

I also acknowledge the enormous effort put in by our coaching, conditioning, medical and football support staff, to ensure that our group could perform at their best.

We truly have a unique team of dedicated professionals at Collingwood - right throughout our Club, and I thank everyone who proudly walks through the door at Collingwood each day.

I pay special tribute to our Coach Craig McRae – a man who not only brought Premiership victory to Collingwood, but who I think, changed the perception of what it takes to be a winner in the modern era of the AFL. Craig’s leadership and values-based approach to life and competition really helped redefine our Club and Craig for that, I thank you most sincerely.

But above all, it gives me great pleasure to accept this Premiership flag for our fans, our 19^th player, all those who barracked us on and rallied to our Club in the biggest numbers ever, to help deliver this historic victory.

All of us at Collingwood acknowledge that we simply couldn’t have done it without the incredible support we all felt from our Members and fans, those who we proudly serve and who I honour here tonight.

But as we turn our attention to 2024, it is now all about stoking the fire, not worshiping the ashes.

We simply must strive to be better, stronger and fly higher as we continue to improve and challenge ourselves to be the very best we can.

I know that we have built something enduring at Collingwood, something that will continue to guide us through our challenges and deliver for our fans, and with the unshakable connection between all of our parts, I just so feel like this is our year to grow."