Bounce
As Collingwood’s 2025 AFL season gets underway today in Sydney, all the Magpie Army’s questions are answered ahead of what is set to be an exciting year for the Pies.
What’s new at Collingwood?
Recruits
Ahead of the 2025 season, the Pies welcomed six new faces to the playing squad.
Rocket-legged defender Dan Houston joined Collingwood through the trade period after 168 games with Port Adelaide. The dual All-Australian will miss the opening match of the season due to suspension, setting up a tantalising match-up with his old team in Round 1 at the MCG.
Head Coach Craig McRae labelled Houston an “exceptional talent” in an interview with afl.com.au journalist Damien Barrett.
“I’ve never seen a guy kick the ball as good as him,” said McRae.
“His penetration is unbelievable. We’re very lucky to have him.”
A big fish in the free agency period, the Pies reeled in utility Harry Perryman to complement their midfield stocks. It was announced this week the 26-year-old would be making his Club debut in Opening Round against his former side the GWS GIANTS.
To round out the off-season movements, Collingwood added former Saint Tim Membrey as a delisted free agent. The 30-year-old, who was also announced to make his Club debut on Thursday, heads into the 2025 season as the most prolific goal-kicker on the Pies’ list with 293 goals from 179 appearances.
Draftees Joel Cochran, Charlie West and Will Hayes were picked up in the 2024 draft with picks 47, 50 and 56.
Leaders
Collingwood has slightly revamped their leadership group ahead of the 2025 season to include members across each of the back, midfield and forward line.
2023 Premiership Captain Darcy Moore will continue to lead the team, while 2024 E.W. Copeland Trophy Winner Nick Daicos joins the group for the first time as a co-vice-captain alongside defender Brayden Maynard.
Defender Isaac Quaynor continues as a leader after being inducted last season, while ruck Darcy Cameron and forwards Dan McStay and Jamie Elliott round out the group.
After seven consecutive years in the leadership group, defender Jeremy Howe stepped away in an official capacity but will continue to play an important role on the field for the Pies.
Coaches and Football Department
Assisting McRae, Hayden Skipworth will continue as senior assistant and midfield coach after being elevated to the role last season.
After being welcomed back to the Pies over the off-season, Assistant Coach Matthew Boyd will manage the midfield group alongside Skipworth.
The three-time All-Australian initially joined Collingwood in 2018 as a development coach and was promoted to an assistant coach for the defence line in 2020.
Former Collingwood defender Jordan Roughead will oversee the backline.
Head of Development Josh Fraser will continue in the role, alongside development coaches Neville Jetta, Chloe McMillan – who remains in her role after participating in the AFL’s Women’s Coach Acceleration Program last season – and Andrew Otten, who has been appointed as the Club’s VFL coach this year.
Former St Kilda and Geelong player Charlie Gardiner joined Collingwood over the pre-season as executive general manager of football. Gardiner will be responsible for leading and driving the strategy for the Club’s football department.
Gardiner joined the Club following six seasons as an administrator with the Sydney Swans.
How’s the fixture look?
With nine of the 23 fixtures still to be decided, here’s how Collingwood’s schedule is broken down by days:
- Five Saturdays
- Four Fridays
- Three Thursdays
- One Sunday
- One Monday
Opening the season in Sydney for the second year running
As part of the AFL’s second annual Opening Round, the Magpies will take on the GWS GIANTS on Sunday afternoon at ENGIE Stadium. The first bounce will be at 3:20pm (AEDT), with the game to be broadcasted on Channel Seven, Kayo and Fox Sports.
Taking the Pies to the Magpie Army across the country
Collingwood will play 17 games in Melbourne across 2025, with 14 at the MCG and three at Marvel Stadium. Among them are highlights like our first home game in Round 1 against Port Adelaide, Anzac Day in Round 7, and the King’s Birthday clash in Round 13.
The Pies will visit their ‘19th player’ across the country, playing six matches interstate, with the first being the one and only trip to Sydney for Opening Round.
There’ll be two matches at the Adelaide Oval, with a Gather Round clash against Sydney in Round 5 and a to-be-confirmed clash with the Crows in Round 23.
The Pies will head to Queensland twice, once in Brisbane against the Lions in Round 6 and a clash on the Gold Coast to play the Suns in Round 16.
There’ll also be a trip to Perth for a match-up with Fremantle in Round 9.
The Magpie Army are encouraged to paint the country black and white and bring their loudest support to every game, which will no doubt be a crucial factor for Craig McRae’s side in 2025.
What’s being celebrated this year?
Across the Magpies’ 23 games throughout 2025, the Club and League will use its platform for good to highlight a range of important causes
Round 7 will see Collingwood and Essendon take part in the 30th consecutive Anzac Day match at the MCG, paying respects to those who have served in armed conflict for both Australia and New Zealand.
Round 13 marks the 11th annual ‘Big Freeze at the ‘G’ game between the Magpies and Demons, which raises crucial funds and awareness for motor neurone disease through the Fight MND charity established by former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher.
Celebrating the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be the focus of Collingwood's matches in Rounds 10 and 11, as the whole league comes together for the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The Pies will take on the Crows at the MCG and the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium in those clashes.
Who will notch milestones?
The year is shaping up to have a milestone-heavy calendar, with up to 13 players looking to reach significant career moments. Here’s a summary of the games-played milestones that could be celebrated in 2025:
100 games
- Darcy Cameron: five matches required
- Bobby Hill: 12 matches required
- Oleg Markov: 14 matches required
- Beau McCreery: 23 matches required
150 games
- Brody Mihocek: 13 required
- Mason Cox: 21 matches required
- Harry Perryman: 21 matches required
- Josh Daicos: 24 matches required
200 games
- Jamie Elliott: six matches required
- Dan McStay: 20 matches required
- Tim Membrey: 21 matches required
250 games
- Jack Crisp: one match required
350 games
- Steele Sidebottom: 19 matches required
Pendlebury and Sidebottom’s record-clinching bond
Currently at 305 games played together, Collingwood legends Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom have their sights set on breaking the record for most games as teammates.
The pair need just two more matches together to surpass Adelaide’s Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards (307), with the two-time premiership teammates due to reach the milestone in Round Two against the Western Bulldogs.
Pendlebury rising up all-time games played list
After reaching 400 games in 2024, Pendlebury will look to further cement his name as an immortal of Australian Rules football as he climbs the all-time games played list.
Currently tied for fourth with Richmond great Kevin Bartlett on 403 games, Pendlebury could move into equal-second with Michael Tuck on 426 games if he can play every home-and-away match this season. The 37-year-old would still require another seven matches to surpass Brent Harvey’s record of 432.
Crisp’s consecutive culmination
Not to be content with the 250 games milestone, Collingwood’s consistency king Jack Crisp could surpass Jim Stynes’ 244 consecutive matches to be the League's all-time record holder.
Currently sitting at 237 consecutive matches, the dual Collingwood Best and Fairest winner will take hold of the record in Round 8 if he can continue his incredible streak.
It would be an exceptional feat for a player seen as a ‘steak knives’ addition to a Brisbane-Collingwood trade in the 2014 off-season.
How can I show my support?
Get into the inner sanctum by connecting with Collingwood's social media
Staying up to date with everything happening inside Collingwood is easier than ever!
Website: www.collingwoodfc.com.au
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Join the Magpie Army supporting in the stands
There's nothing quite like living the full experience by cheering on Collingwood alongside the Magpie faithful at matches. With a host of blockbuster matches on the calendar, the best way to see them all is with a membership.
Tickets are on-sale for our first 15 matches. Tickets for MCG games here. Tickets for Marvel Stadium and away games here.
Tune in from home
All Collingwood games will be broadcast live and ad-break free across Foxtel and kayosports.com.au, with a select number of games broadcast on Channel Seven dependant on location. You can view the broadcast guide for your state here.
