Defender Brayden Maynard is aware of precisely what’s completely different about this Collingwood group’s premiership tilt: they’re really prepared for it.
The Magpies loved a blinding run to the preliminary ultimate in Craig McRae’s first season however fell desperately in need of a grand ultimate berth.
A yr on, McRae’s prices are minor premiers and consider they belong within the league’s higher echelon.
“We are a lot more prepared this year than last year,” Maynard instructed AAP.
“I felt like we were running on a lot of adrenaline last year.”
Nick Daicos’s gorgeous transfer into the midfield, and Jordan De Goey and Josh Daicos kicking up a gear have all helped Collingwood’s rise.
But former skipper Scott Pendlebury has persistently cited the “body of work” the Magpies have put in since final season’s preliminary ultimate heartbreak as the muse of this yr’s excellent marketing campaign.
Veteran defender Jeremy Howe agrees.
“We didn’t really set a set a limit on where we could get to last year because we were trying to find out what our best footy looked like,” Howe instructed AAP.
“We feel like we really uncovered a pretty strong game plan and everyone got on this emotional ride and felt really good and we won 10 or 11 in a row and away we go.
“But then this yr was type of like ‘there’s expectation, groups are coming for us, the place’s it going to get to?’ For us, the 12 months (earlier than) we laid a basis of the place to begin from.
“So now we’re starting right up here. So let’s just tighten the screws and see if we can get better.
“To the boys’ credit score, and the coaches’, the way in which that the pre-season rolled out, the way in which that the yr’s unfolded … to complete prime is de facto pleasing.
“It’s affirmation for what we’ve been able to do in the summer and in the season. The main stuff starts now.”
McRae earned plaudits final yr for constructing a tradition the place gamers have been inspired to precise themselves.
Winger Josh Daicos reckons that is solely grown, amid a seamless captaincy transition from Pendlebury to Darcy Moore.
“It’s a really great environment where everyone can be themselves,” Daicos instructed AAP.
“Everyone has a great time walking through the doors ready to get to work. We obviously love seeing one another.
“We’ve simply obtained an actual readability on the market about what we have to do for each other and what it takes to win.”
Defender Isaac Quaynor makes Collingwood’s September plans clear.
“We’re right here to go all the way in which,” he said.
Maynard is certain Collingwood has the mettle to do it.
“We have such an amazing connection and bond on this complete group and I do not really feel like I’ve had this type of relationship and reference to as many teammates up to now,” Maynard stated.
“I completely love this group and I really feel like we’re going to trigger some critical injury as a result of that is the principle factor: taking part in for one another.
“And we play harder for longer.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
