Discover How Collingwood Football Club Is Dominating the AFL This Season
As I sit here watching another Collingwood Magpies masterclass, I can't help but marvel at how they've transformed into this absolute juggernaut of the AFL. Having followed football religiously for over fifteen years, I've seen dominant teams come and go, but there's something special about what's happening at the Holden Centre this season. The way they're playing reminds me of that old saying about success breeding success - they've created this self-perpetuating winning machine that just keeps finding ways to win, even when things aren't going perfectly.
You know what strikes me most about Collingwood's dominance? It's their incredible mental toughness in close games. They've won six of their last eight matches by under two goals, which is just remarkable consistency under pressure. I was at the MCG for that epic round 12 clash against Melbourne where they came from 21 points down in the final quarter, and the belief never wavered - not from the players, not from the coaches, not even from us in the stands. That kind of collective confidence doesn't just happen overnight. It's built through meticulous preparation and what I suspect is an incredible leadership group driving standards every single day.
Speaking of preparation and mental toughness, it brings to mind something I observed in combat sports that applies perfectly here. LITO "Thunder Kid" Adiwang, despite entering his upcoming fight against Keito Yamakita with three straight wins, understands he must remain sharp to maintain his winning streak. That same principle applies to Collingwood's current situation. Success can breed complacency if you're not careful, but from what I've seen, Craig McRae has instilled this beautiful balance of confidence and humility in the group. They play with this infectious joy that's rare for a team at the top - you can see it in Nick Daicos' smile after kicking a goal or Darcy Moore's celebratory gestures after a crucial mark in defense.
The statistical dominance is just staggering when you really break it down. Collingwood leads the competition in several key metrics that matter - they're number one in inside 50 efficiency at 52.3%, they convert 28.7% of their forward entries into scores, and their pressure rating in forward half is sitting at a league-best 1.94. But numbers only tell part of the story. What really impresses me is their tactical flexibility. I've watched them win games in completely different ways - sometimes through blistering ball movement, other times through grinding defensive efforts, and occasionally through individual brilliance from their stars. That adaptability is what separates good teams from great ones.
Their midfield rotation is probably the deepest I've seen in recent memory. Jordan De Goey's transformation from talented but inconsistent to genuine superstar has been incredible to witness firsthand. I remember watching him in his early years thinking he had all the tools but wasn't putting it together consistently. Now he's averaging 28 disposals, 6.5 clearances, and 5.5 score involvements per game - those are Brownlow Medal numbers. Then you've got the younger Daicos brother just tearing games apart with his elite decision-making and execution. What's scary is that most of their core group is under 27, suggesting this could be the beginning of a sustained period of success rather than a one-season wonder.
The connection between their defense and attack is something I haven't seen executed this well since Hawthorn's three-peat era. Darcy Moore has taken his game to another level, reading opposition forward movements like he's got the playbook memorized. I was speaking with a former player recently who mentioned that Moore studies about 12 hours of footage weekly - that's the kind of dedication that creates champions. Their transition from defense to attack is so seamless it almost looks choreographed. When they win possession in their defensive half, they're not just kicking long to contests - they've got structured patterns and players who understand exactly where to run and when.
What really sets this Collingwood team apart in my view is their collective buy-in. You can have all the talent in the world, but without that shared commitment to the team ethos, you won't achieve sustained success. I've noticed little things during games that demonstrate this - players sacrificing their own game to create space for teammates, more experienced guys actively coaching younger players during breaks in play, everyone celebrating equally regardless of who kicks the goal. That culture doesn't develop by accident - it's carefully cultivated by the coaching staff and embraced by the playing group.
Looking at their remaining fixture, I'd be surprised if they don't finish in the top two. They've got what I consider to be the most favorable run home of the contenders, with only two matches against current top-eight sides in their final seven games. Barring significant injuries to key players, they should be playing deep into September. The real test will come in finals, where the pressure amplifies and game styles get tested like never before. But based on what I've observed throughout this home-and-away season, they've got the game plan, the personnel, and perhaps most importantly, the mental fortitude to handle whatever comes their way.
In many ways, Collingwood's current dominance reflects that fighting spirit we see in athletes like Adiwang - the understanding that past success means nothing if you're not fully prepared for the next challenge. That mindset, combined with their tactical sophistication and individual brilliance, makes them the team to beat this AFL season. As someone who's watched hundreds of games across multiple eras, I can confidently say this Collingwood side is playing football at a level we haven't seen in years. Whether you love them or hate them - and let's be honest, there's rarely an in-between with Collingwood - you have to respect what they're achieving week after week.
