Maxwell's transformation from borderline third-tall defender to all-conquering premiership captain in such a short period of time was stunning, but he admits he had to work hard to quash his own misgivings early on.
"One of the first things I thought about was guys like Nathan Buckley, James Clement, Shane Wakelin, Paul Licuria and Scott Burns," Maxwell says of his appointment as Burns' successor.
"I thought 'Well if those guys can't take us to a premiership then how am I going to do it?'
"More than anything early on it was about trying to prove myself as a player first and foremost.
"My whole career there have been doubts, there still are, so that's something that will always drive me to make sure I perform and play my role for the team before I focus on the leadership stuff.
"But when the club has put that much faith in you to lead, you do grow in confidence knowing that and I think it's improved me as a player as well."
The doubts Maxwell speaks of are, of course, remnants of his humble beginnings as a struggling rookie, but there's little doubt his strong leadership was one of the driving forces behind the Pies' 2010 premiership triumph.
While that was the obvious goal when he was handed the reins following Burns' retirement, Maxwell freely admitted he didn't know exactly how to get there.
What he did know was that he had a strong support network to help him find the way.
"I definitely think it's down to the people I've had around me," he says citing Clement, Buckley, Mick Malthouse and footy manager Geoff Walsh as key influences, along with his parents.
"I've had good people I consider mentors to go and talk to about certain things and I've been lucky enough to have some really solid guiding influences. It's something that the footy club has done well and I'm sure the next captain will have the same support.
"Obviously timing is a big thing too. I managed to come to the club at a good time when we had a good list and I've been fortunate enough to be part of a premiership team.
"Eddie McGuire, Mick Malthouse and the board put an enormous amount of faith in me to lead this club and I want to keep making sure I don't let them down. That has been and will continue to be one of the big driving forces for me."
Collingwood's storied history is littered with legendary leadership figures like Syd Coventry, Lou Richards and Buckley, but Maxwell is working to create a different kind of legacy.
"I've got to make sure that we have more leaders around the club and ensure that I'm not relied upon," he says.
"As a team that's something we've tried to do with our players. Opposition coaches say 'Well do we tag Swan or Pendlebury or Didak or Thomas?' Who do they tag?
"I think what we've done is create a team where you don't have to rely on one person and that's something we want to do with leadership as well."
There aren't as many doubters since Maxwell's instrumental role in bringing a 15th premiership to Collingwood, but while he's justifiably proud of his part in the team's achievements, he's under no illusions as to where he sits in the grand scheme of all things black and white.
"I'm entrusted with a responsibility," he says.
"The footy club has put me in this role to keep driving us toward more premiership success.
"We don't want to stop at one. We want to make sure that we have continued success for as long as I'm around. That's something that I want for the next guy in line. I want to make sure that he is in a position to do the same thing.
"This is something I've got for a temporary time and I want to make sure I do the best job I can while I've got it and make sure that the next person, whoever that may be, is ready to take over that role and they can go straight into it rather than having to learn on the job."
Nick Maxwell is a $257,000 defender in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.
