INJURIES marred what was shaping to be a big season for Collingwood, with two key players lost to ACL injuries and a COVID interruption coming at the worst moment possible - during finals.

Despite the hurdles the Pies faced, they were able to unearth some genuine talent as they look toward future seasons.

Over the next few weeks, womens.afl will look at each of the seasons of the 14 AFLW teams in reverse ladder order.

Coach: Steve Symonds

Leadership group: Steph Chiocci, Brianna Davey (co-captains), Brittany Bonnici, Stacey Livingstone, Ruby Schleicher (co-vice captains)

2022 home and away finishing position: 6th, six wins and four losses, 123.4 per cent. Lost to Brisbane in the qualifying final.

Best team performance: After struggling to find a consistent game style for much of the season, everything clicked for the Pies in their 25-point round eight win against the Western Bulldogs. Despite losing both Brittany Bonnici (ACL) and Aliesha Newman (concussion) during the game, Collingwood found spread and reliable movement into attack, with the day topped off by recruit Sabrina Frederick's best game in the black and white. The Pies kicked their highest score in AFLW history, breaking past the illusive 60-point barrier for the first time.

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AFLW Match Highlights: Collingwood v Western Bulldogs

The Magpies and Bulldogs clash in round eight of the NAB AFL Women's Competition

Best individual performance: As Collingwood pushed minor premier Adelaide to the final siren, Ruby Schleicher provided plenty of drive from defence. Schleicher recorded a career-high 31 disposals, took 10 marks and registered 11 intercepts for the game and she spurred on her side.

Collingwood's Ruby Schleicher is pursued by Adelaide's Erin Phillips in R9, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations: Eliza James

Debutants: Imogen Barnett, Eloise Chaston, Eliza James (AFLW debut), Sabrina Frederick (club debut)

Retirees: Yet to be announced

Delistings: Yet to be announced

Most improved: When the chips were down and the Pies needed someone to step up in the midfield, it was Mikala Cann who came to the rescue. Cann averaged 15.6 disposals, 4.1 tackles and 3.3 clearances across her 11 games, winning the fourth-most touches at Collingwood for the year. At just 21 years of age, there is only more improvement to look forward to from Cann.

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Cann could, when the footy was there to be won

Mikala Cann pounces on the loose ball and snaps through a ripper

Star recruit: Taken at pick 29 in last year's draft, Eliza James added a new dimension to the Pies' forward line this year, thanks to her speed and competitiveness. James played 10 of a possible 11 games - only missing the qualifying final due to health and safety protocols - and kicked an accurate five goals from six scoring shots.

Unsung hero: In a backline that boasts Ruby Schleicher and Stacey Livingstone, it is Lauren Butler's dour lockdown defence that allows the former to play to their strengths. Butler averaged 13 disposals and 5.6 intercepts - both career highs - while setting up her teammates with neat ball use out of defence.

Collingwood's Lauren Butler in action against Western Bulldogs in R8, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

What worked:

  • Engaging the run of players like Sarah Rowe, Mikala Cann and Alana Porter late in the season proved to be fruitful as the Pies made use of space on the open side of the ground. This Bonnici-like workrate is a platform upon which future seasons can be built.
  • Collingwood was forced to lean upon emerging players for much of the season, and it was an exciting batch of youngsters who really carried the side through the back half of the season. The aforementioned Cann in the middle, Butler, Porter and Jordyn Allen in defence, James in attack - they have the makings of a strong, talented spine going forward.

What needs improvement:

  • The connection between midfield and forward line really suffered without Brianna Davey available, and it took the better part of the home and away season for the Pies to find a real system going forward.
  • This difficulty moving the ball inside 50 was reflected in the forward line's output, too. The side seemed unsettled structurally - albeit in part due to player availability - and failed to settle into a damaging attacking groove for extended periods of time. Frederick was brought in to be the final piece of their puzzle but struggled in a role at half-forward, only looking really dangerous when playing out of the goalsquare - a position in which she had limited minutes. Chloe Molloy was needed higher up the field, so her spark was lost, and needing to present as a big key forward, Sophie Alexander wasn't able to consistently impact in the way they needed.
Collingwood's Sophie Alexander and Sabrina Frederick celebrate a goal against Geelong in R3, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Early call for next season: With Davey and Bonnici unlikely to play full seasons, the Pies will take the opportunity to develop its midfield evenly across its glut of exciting young talent.

Season rating: 6.5/10