The absence of Nick Maxwell meant that Scott Pendlebury was the stand-in captain and had the honour of the leading the boys out onto the MCG for the first time this year.
Welcome to season 2012.
Darren Jolly and Broc McCauley contested the first bounce.
Heath Shaw dashes forward to kick Collingwood's first goal of season 2012.
Alan Toovey can't escape the clutches of Hawthorn livewire Cyril Rioli.
Putting the opposition off or just impersonating Australian cricketer Brad Hogg? Alex Fasolo goes outside the square.
Nathan Buckley delivers his quarter time address. Jackson Paine listens intently in the background.
All the highs...all the lows...
The three debutants - Paul Seedsman, Jackson Paine and Peter Yagmoor - become acquainted with the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The image of a man at the top of his game.
Dane Swan found plenty of the ball as he always does, while Darren Jolly tried a different method of marking the ball. No hands required, only his knees.
Heath Shaw and Michael Osbourne lock eyes; the new-look Dale Thomas and Jackson Paine celebrate the goal that put the Magpies in front during the final term.
One down but plenty more to come. The Magpies leave the field and turn their attention to Richmond on Easter Saturday next week.
