Football is officially back. There was fuss following the final siren, or theme song after the eight-point win. For after all, it is just the NAB Challenge.

All reservations aside, there was a lot to like about Collingwood’s season-opening victory over Geelong at Simond Stadium.

Below are five points of notice from the eyes of Collingwood Media.

Standing tall

The Cats may have the tallest list in the AFL, but it was the giants in the Black and White that stood up on Friday night.

Nathan Buckley elected to start with three 200cm-plus players – Mason Cox (211cm), Jarrod Witts (209cm) and Brodie Grundy (203cm).

Cox played predominantly forward and impressed with two goals, prompting Buckley to discuss his development post-game.

“He's made progress in the past 12 months,” Buckley said post-match.

“He had a taste of it against Carlton in the second NAB Cup game last year with a second half in the ruck, and that was his first taste as a forward and he looked like he's got some skills at the level.”

Grundy showed athleticism, getting down low to kick an opportunistic goal in the first quarter while Witts dominated in the ruck with a game-high 32 hitouts. 

Dane Swan 2.0

Friday night’s third quarter produced a number of notable highlights, but the domination of Dane Swan in the forward 50 was arguably the most exciting.

Swan’s playing time was managed in the first half as he had just five disposals playing limited time as an onballer.

After the half time break, the 2011 Brownlow Medallist opted for a new home in the forward line.

It worked wonders. Swan showed his explosive power and poise with goal after goal after goal in the third term. 

The 32-year-old kicked three of Collingwood’s 11 goals for the term and showed signs of what opposition defences can expect in 2016.



VIDEO - Watch Dane Swan's explosive third quarter.

Sinclair’s outstanding accuracy

A number of injuries has led to him becoming something of a forgotten man, but Ben Sinclair showed his value to the Magpies 22 with an impressive performance against the Cats.

The sixth-year player spent time at half back and was a leader in his ball use.

17 disposals came at a remarkable 94.1 per cent efficiency, while he also added seven marks.

It wasn’t a lack of opposition pressure that saw Sinclair receive such numbers. Six of his touches were contested and he led the Magpies in marks from opposition kicks with five.

After a disjointed season in 2015, the performance will give the 50-gamer confidence ahead of what will hopefully be an injury-free year.

The dominance of Steele

Captain Scott Pendlebury was absent on Friday night, allowing Steele Sidebottom to take full control of the Magpies' starting midfield.

Sidebottom was prolific throughout the game, and took advantage of every inch of free space on the Simonds Stadium surface.

He had 28 disposals, 15 of which were contested and eight others clearances.

It should come of no surprise that Sidebottom is a ball magnet. In 2015, half of his 16 games produced showings of 30-plus touches.

With the added assistance of Pendlebury, and the introduction of Adam Treloar, Sidebottom’s impressive form bodes well for the ideas of Collingwood midfield dominance in 2016.

The recruits

After initially naming for fresh faces in the 29-man squad, Nathan Buckley took just two first-timers into Friday night’s clash with the Cats.

Josh Smith and James Aish both started for the Magpies, while emergencies Tom Phillips and Tim Golds watched on from the sidelines.

After 32 games in two seasons for the Brisbane Lions, Aish looked more than comfortable in his new colours. He had 15 disposals in his Collingwood debut, in a performance approved by Nathan Buckley post match.

"Any time you change clubs and put on a new guernsey there is a bit of eagerness to make sure you make a first positive step. There was a lot to like in his game," Buckley told the media.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite as planned for Smith.

The rookie listed Magpie was helped to the bench in the second term with what appeared to be an ankle injury.

He failed to return, after eight impressive touches in the early stages of the game.