Fifteen rounds into the 2012 season, Collingwood sat relatively comfortably in fourth place with 11 wins on the board from 14 matches. It had registered 10 wins in a row only to receive a reality check in the form of a loss to Carlton on Friday night in round 15.

From here, the Good Ship Collingwood managed to sail smoothly enough through the late-winter waters as it reached the end of round 20 on 15 wins.

The Magpies' form, a loss to Hawthorn in round 17 aside, had been solid. They knocked off Geelong for the second time in round 16, belted the baby Greater Western Sydney Giants in round 18 and squeaked home against a fierce St Kilda in an error-ridden clash at the MCG.

But Collingwood's finest win in the run to September, and perhaps its best for the year, was recorded at the Olympic Stadium in round 20 when it defeated eventual premier Sydney by eight-points.

The match certainly wasn't one that the purists would love, with stoppage after stoppage resulting in a low scoring tussle in front of 45,827 fans at ANZ Stadium.

The Magpies hadn't lost to the Swans since round 13, 2005, and were determined to keep it that way. Dayne Beams was again the go-to man when things got tight in the final quarter. Sydney edged to within a kick with less than a minute remaining on the clock.

Enter Beams, who wrenched the ball clear from the congestion inside 50 to jam the ball onto his left boot and screw the Sherrin through the big sticks to seal the eight-point win.

Things didn't pan out as anticipated from here on, unfortunately, with losses to North Melbourne and West Coast shaking Collingwood's flag ambitions as the business end of the season neared.

Collingwood put up a brave fight for three quarters against Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final but were made to pay dearly for several lapses that saw all its hard work undone by the ruthless Hawks, who ran out 38 points to the good.

But that loss was nothing compared with what the club and its players had to deal with in the lead up to the Semi-Final.

Former teammate and a close friend of the playing group, John McCarthy (now with Port Adelaide), passed away in a post-season accident in Las Vegas. In the face of extreme adversity, the Magpies conceded the first four goals against the Eagles in the Semi before an inspired burst from Dale Thomas turned the match on its head in the second half.

The scenes post-match were moving as a week's worth of emotion spilled over when the victorious Collingwood players returned to the rooms.

After attending their mate's funeral in Sorrento, the Collingwood players flew to Sydney to again tackle the Swans. With a berth in the 2012 Grand Final up for grabs, the Magpies just didn't have the petrol tickets to overwhelm their relentless opponents. Although they kept chipping away, Sydney ended the night 26 points in the clear.

In the aftermath of season 2012, Chris Tarrant bowed out after 15 years in the game, while Sharrod Wellingham and Chris Dawes found new homes during the player exchange period. Rookies Shae McNamara, Paul Cribbin, Daniel Farmer, Trent Stubbs and Lachlan Smith have also moved on.

But with the acquisition of premiership players Quentin Lynch and Clinton Young from elsewhere, the momentum is already building as Collingwood works towards a successful 2013.



Heath Shaw's season peaked in round 16 when he had 29 possessions and a Brownlow vote in the win over Geelong.



With three goals and 15 possessions, Dale Thomas had all the answers to Geelong's questions.



Dane Swan powered to a career-high 49 possessions in the 47-point loss to Hawthorn.



Hawthorn had Collingwood covered from start to finish.



Up at Skoda Stadium, Chris Tarrant's return to attack continued while Travis Cloke hit his straps with six majors.



Chris Tarrant, Dane Swan and Dayne Beams lap up the 120-point win.



Back in Melbourne seven days later, Darren Jolly played out of his skin to help Collingwood cling to a narrow six-point win over St Kilda.



Dale Thomas kicked the goal of the night, bursting through centre half forward late in the last quarter to help keep the Saints at bay.



Harry O'Brien and Stephen Milne fly for the final play of the night. Was it a mark? A free kick? Or neither? As it turned out, O'Brien was paid a free kick, much to the ire of the Saints fans.



But all's well that ends well.



Alan Didak returned after several weeks on the sidelines with an adductor strain and had some important touches in Collingwood's eight-point win over the Swans.



Dayne Beams jumps for joy after kicking the sealer against the Swans.



Jarryd Blair and Chris Dawes are all smiles after wrapping up Collingwood's eleventh successive victory over Sydney.



Losses to North Melbourne...



...and then to West Coast rocked the boat ahead of September.



But six goals to Travis Cloke and a 32-point win over Essendon in round 23 steadied the ship on the eve on the finals.



Andrew Krakouer made a triumphant return to senior football after injuring his knee in the pre-season, goaling against Essendon before going on to play a key role in the remaining finals.



The Collingwood players march towards centre wing to line up for the national anthem ahead of the Qualifying Final against Hawthorn.



Sharrod Wellingham had the Magpies flying when he kicked their first goal of the night in the opening quarter.



Chris Tarrant enjoyed an absorbing dual with Lance Franklin with the honours split at the end of the night, although it was Franklin who enjoyed a safe path to a home Preliminary Final.



Dane Swan's anguish was reflected by Collingwood supporters after the Pies went down by 38 points.



Eight days later, the landscape had changed more dramatically than anyone could have ever imagined. After the passing of John McCarthy, Collingwood channelled its focus towards tackling the West Coast Eagles in the Semi-Final.



A minute's silence.



A moment to reflect and ponder.



Before turning up the heat with a three goal burst courtesy of Dale Thomas in the third quarter.



Jarryd Blair and Steele Sidebottom savour a goal to the little man from 50m out deep on the boundary line.



Ben Reid shows what it's all about.



Side By Side.



An emotional playing group appear exhausted as they sing Good Old Collingwood Forever.



Jarryd Blair pauses to allow everything to sink in after the match.



RIP Johnny Mac.



Ben Reid and Dayne Beams are pictured during McCarthy's funeral.



Chris Tarrant farewells the AFL after his 15 years at the highest level came to a close with a 26-point loss to Sydney in the Preliminary Final.



The curtain falls on 2012. Here's to 2013. Go Pies!