The December sun was shining, music blared from the speakers and the fans had flocked to the Holden Centre. 


Open training was in full swing on Monday morning as the Collingwood players were put through their paces in a comprehensive three-hour session.



Players were greeted by a large string of fans around the Olympic Park Oval fence. A strong wind kept the temperature under 30 degrees as the session kicked off.





Only Brayden Sier, Daniel Wells and Mitch McCarthy stayed apart from the main group as they completed run-throughs in front of the watchful eyes of the medical staff.



New owner of the number 35 guernsey Sam McClarty joined them as he attempted to prove his full fitness prior to the Christmas break. The former Oakleigh Charger was later a popular face in the crowd as he spent longer than any other Magpie signing autographs and chatting to fans.



Another step forward for Jamie Elliott who spent the majority of the session with the main group. Elliott won possessions at will as the players were separated into three separate low-contact drills.





For Brodie Grundy, keeping an eye on the ball saw a new meaning. The ruckman wore this one on the face after a strong lead on the wing. He shrugged off the misjudged mark and continued the session undeterred.



The squad broke up into divisional groups with the respective line coaches taking charge of proceedings. Newly acquired rookie Max Lynch had not only first-choice ruckman Grundy to learn from, but midfield development coach and 242-game former Magpie Anthony Rocca.



In defence, Lynden Dunn took the key role as a general, as he looks to cement a position on Collingwood’s last line of defence in 2017. The former Demon was joined by Matthew Scharenberg, Ben Sinclair, Jeremy Howe and Liam Mackie, among others.



Unfortunately the session took a turn for the worse for Brayden Maynard. After 20 games in 2016, the defender limped from the ground and was inspected by medical staff before icing his right leg. Maynard left the session early as a precaution, however the injury didn’t appear a serious concern.



James Aish was among a small group of players to turn their attention to sprinting along the sidelines as the remainder of the players begun match simulation. Orange took on grey as the squad engaged in three 15-minute periods.



Alex Fasolo played up forward for the grey team, while for the orange, the exciting Elliott started forward and rotated with Adam Treloar through the midfield. Scharenberg was busy as a rebounding defender, while onballer Levi Greenwood continued what has been a strong pre-season.



He’s most well-known as a key defender, but Lachlan Keeffe may be a surprise packet up forward in 2017. Allowed to resume training as his drug suspension expires, Keeffe presented well as he tussled for front position with key defender and former Gold Coast Sun Henry Schade.



And here’s one to wet your appetite for season 2017. As the match simulation continued, draftee and father-son recruit Callum Brown found himself directly opposed to captain Scott Pendlebury. Brown was one of the standouts of the session, while Pendles… we know what to expect from Pendles.