IT WAS easy to evaluate what former Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly brought to Collingwood in his first season at the club in 2010.

Jolly's recruitment, along with that of ex-St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball, filled gaps that helped the Pies to win their first premiership since 1990.

"I knew coming here we were going to be close [to a premiership], with the list and certainly the players we've got coming up," Jolly said ahead of his 50th Collingwood game this week.

"You've only got to look now and those players have flourished and turned into the elite, so it was great in 2010 to be a part of it, and to win was fantastic."

In 2011, Jolly's season on the field was less influential.

He struggled to get himself going. A knee injury required surgery mid-season and forcing him to miss eight games before an adductor injury restricted his involvement in the losing Grand Final to Geelong.

Despite Jolly's drop in influence in games, key Pies say he continued to be an important contributor behind the scenes.

"Darren is very inclusive. The one thing I really like about Darren is that he'll really embrace the younger boys," national recruiting manager Derek Hine told AFL.com.au.

"I remember when he was here only two or three weeks and I walked in and he was sitting on a monitor with Cameron Wood and one of the other young ruckmen.

"I'm sure it wasn't structured or anything; it was just something Darren just takes and embraces.

"He embraces the playing list and the football club in a really holistic manner, and we obviously love him."

Teammate Jarryd Blair said his first impression of Jolly was that he "takes his footy pretty seriously", but that translated into a personality that commanded attention when he spoke.

"He's pretty passionate about it. He's had a pretty big bearing on the group in terms of bringing success from another club to our footy club," Blair said.

"He's fairly outspoken and he does talk to the boys a lot and he's a pretty good leader off the field.

"He's someone that when he speaks, you want to listen to him."

Hine said Jolly's arrival at Collingwood was a case of "opportunity presenting itself", with family reasons triggering the big man's move from Sydney back to Melbourne.

Jolly said he was lucky to reach his 50th game in black and white, which he described as a great achievement.

"It's been a great privilege to be at the Pies and play for them under Mick [Malthouse], one of the great coaches, and now under Bucks.

"To have a list as talented as we've got and the success we've had over the few years, it's been great."

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.