Last year was one of the more memorable for the Collingwood Football Club after an off-season of extreme uncertainty.
Nathan Buckley was able to turn around four years of mediocrity into a fully-fledged contender as his side fell agonisingly close to winning its 16th premiership.
But arguably, this Collingwood outfit is firming to be a stronger side in 2019 after the shrewd recruiting of superstar midfielder, Dayne Beams and premiership Bulldog, Jordan Roughead, along with the return of Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore from long-term injuries.
And despite last year's injury-ravaged season, the black and white have shown to possess arguably the list with the deepest pool of talent – especially through the midfield headed up by Adam Treloar, Steele Sidebottom and skipper Scott Pendlebury.
Jaidyn Stephenson, Jordan de Goey and Brody Mihocek were just same of the names unearthed following the Magpies' 2018 campaign, with their emergence formative to the new-look Magpie offensive.
With a fully-fit team, the Magpies will be very hard to defeat.
Expect this side to be right in the reckoning once again in 2019.
OUR BEST 22 - ROUND 1
NOTABLE OMISSIONS: Taylor Adams (finger), Tim Broomhead (leg), Lynden Dunn (knee), Will Hoskin-Elliot (knee), Ben Reid (quad), Matt Scharenberg (knee), Daniel Wells (foot)
MVP
Arguably the best ruckman in the competition and with due diligence after an impressive 2018.
Possessing a wide range of skills, Grundy's solid tap-work and mobility allows for him to cover the ground with relative ease, in effect making him a fourth midfielder due to his ability to win the ball.
If Grundy can continue this form in 2019, it will go a long way in leading Collingwood back to the promised land.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
It shapes up as an intriguing year for the son-of-a-gun who is facing a mountain of midfield depth to break into the Collingwood line-up.
However, Brown's JLT Community Series form was sublime, showing his already impressive ball-use, agility and speed which has been a big part of his repertoire in his first two seasons of senior football.
Despite only playing 13 games over his two years at the club, expect Brown to build on that in a big way this season.
UNDER THE PUMP
The injury-prone swingman already looks set for a tough year in the black and white after suffering a quad injury in the Magpies' practice match against Melbourne.
Reid was thrown forward in the early stages of last season but after an array of injuries, lost his spot in favour of Brody Mihocek.
After being limited to six games last season, Reid was given a one-year contract extension which expires at the conclusion of 2019.
EARLY PREDICTIONS...
1. Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore will both play over 18 games each this season
2. Collingwood will have a home qualifying final
3. Jordan de Goey, Will Hoskin-Elliot and Jamie Elliott will all kick over 35 goals in 2019
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