NATHAN Buckley enters the final year of his contract at Collingwood with a 'finals or bust' mentality as the Magpies aim to make the eight following several seasons of frustration.
Last season got off to the worst possible start with star midfielder Dane Swan going down injured minutes into round one before eventually announcing his retirement at the end of the year.
The return of former leading goalkicker Jamie Elliott from a back injury will boost the hopes of Pies fans, as will the sight of star recruit Daniel Wells wearing black and white.
The Magpies included a Falls Creek boot camp during their pre-season and will look to get 2017 off to a flyer despite a tough fixture draw which includes a round one test against 2016 premiers, the Western Bulldogs.
High tackle? Play on. @howie0038 took the points over @brayden_maynard at training this morning. #sidebyside pic.twitter.com/tJw7MyDPZX
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 14, 2016
PHOTOS: Snaps from the sidelines - https://t.co/lkv6H4JL9S View the best photos from this morning's time trial #gopies pic.twitter.com/4Z2AM1gPdY
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 12, 2016
The show goes on #gopies pic.twitter.com/M1MZUsJ4jV
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 11, 2016
From the hills to the sand, our players were put to the test at Bushrangers Bay this afternoon. #gopies pic.twitter.com/K59Sa6tT4m
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 9, 2016
A day by the bay... Our Pies took to the Mornington Peninsula today for a grueling training session #sidebyside pic.twitter.com/QrrvhY2FIZ
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 9, 2016
Tim Broomhead... from the aths track! #gopies pic.twitter.com/ygCUilkN1J
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 19, 2016
