Collingwood Football Club finished the Australian Football League (AFL) regular season in fourth place, and despite a loss to the Geelong Cats in their first finals match, the club defeated Fremantle to reach the preliminary finals. The Sydney Swans edged-out Collingwood in that fixture, however, ending the Melbourne outfit’s hopes of a first grand final appearance since 2018. With all-time great Scott Pendlebury passing the captaincy baton to Darcy Moore for the 2023 season, the club is entering a new era – will this new chapter in Collingwood history begin with finals glory?
2023 Squad
Head Coach
Craig McRae (AUS)
Defenders
Nick Daicos (AUS)
Arlo Draper (AUS)
Oleg Markov (AUS)
Brayden Maynard (AUS)
Nathan Murphy (AUS)
John Noble (AUS)
Isaac Quaynor (AUS)
Trey Ruscoe (AUS)
Jakob Ryan (AUS)
Key Defenders
Charlie Dean (AUS)
Jeremy Howe (AUS)
Darcy Moore (AUS) “C”
Midfielders
Taylor Adams (AUS)
Edward Allan (AUS)
Trent Bianco (AUS)
Jack Crisp (AUS)
Josh Daicos (AUS)
Jordan De Goey (AUS)
Harvey Harrison (AUS)
Will Hoskin-Elliott (AUS)
Will Kelly (AUS)
Patrick Lipinski (AUS)
Finlay Macrae (AUS)
Tom Mitchell (AUS)
Cooper Murley (AUS)
Scott Pendlebury (AUS)
Joe Richards (AUS)
Steele Sidebottom (AUS)
Tom Wilson (AUS)
Ruckmen
Aiden Begg (AUS)
Darcy Cameron (AUS)
Mason Cox (USA)
Billy Frampton (AUS)
Nathan Kreuger (AUS)
Oscar Steene (AUS)
Forwards
Josh Carmichael (AUS)
Jamie Elliott (AUS)
Jack Ginnivan (AUS)
Bobby Hill (AUS)
Beau McCreery (AUS)
Key Forwards
Ash Johnson (AUS)
Reef McInnes (AUS)
Daniel McStay (AUS)
Brody Mihocek (AUS)
“C” = Captain
2023 Schedule
Collingwood will play a total of 23 fixtures during the 2023 regular season. These matches will be played across 24 rounds, with a single bye round included. Of Collingwood’s 23 games, 11 will be played at home, and 12 will be played away from home. Collingwood will play against 6 of their fellow AFL sides twice – once at home and once away from home – and against the remaining 11 sides once only – either home or away. The club’s first match of the 2023 regular season took place on 17 March, against the Geelong Cats. The final match of Collingwood’s regular season will be against Essendon, in August, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
You can find the full Collingwood season schedule here.
2023 Rivals
During the 2023 season, Collingwood will compete against the Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St. Kilda, Sydney Swans, West Coast Eagles, and the Western Bulldogs.
Collingwood shares rivalries with many Victorian clubs, such as Essendon, the Geelong Cats, Melbourne, Richmond, as well as teams based outside of the state, such as the Brisbane Lions and the West Coast Eagles, however it is the rivalry Collingwood shares with Carlton which is arguably the club’s fiercest. The rivalry dates from 1892, making it the AFL’s oldest rivalry, and the clubs have met on over 260 occasions, including in 6 grand finals. The sides are scheduled to meet twice during the 2023 AFL season, and may meet for a third time, should they both qualify for the 2023 finals:
- Round 10: Carlton v Collingwood • 21 May 2023
- Round 20: Collingwood v Carlton • July 2023 (date to be confirmed)
2023 AFL Finals
In the 2022 AFL season, Collingwood finished fourth in the table after the regular season, securing a spot in the finals. Collingwood first faced eventual premiers the Geelong Cats, losing 11.12 (78) to 10.12 (72), but then defeated Fremantle in the semifinals, winning 11.13 (79) to 9.5 (59), progressing to the preliminary finals. Collingwood’s finals would end in the preliminary finals, however, as the side was beaten by the Sydney Swans in a tight contest, 14.11 (95) to 14.10 (94).
The 2023 AFL finals will be staged across 4 weeks, following the conclusion of the regular season. The finals is comprised of 4 rounds of matches, with sides knocked-out after 1 or 2 defeats, depending on their regular season ranking. The all-important grand final is expected to be held on 30 September.
2023 Tickets & Prices
Melbourne Cricket Ground serves as Collingwood’s home stadium. The venue holds just over 100,000 spectators. During the 2022 AFL season, the average attendance at a Collingwood home match was just under 49,000. Whilst ticket prices for Collingwood fixtures can differ vary on factors such as the status of the visiting side, the importance of the specific match, and the seating position chosen within the stadium, adult ticket prices usually start at approximately AUD $30. The approximate average cost of an adult ticket for a Collingwood home match is between AUD $45-55.
Standard Tickets
Standard match tickets for Collingwood games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground can be purchased in the following categories:
- General Admission – unreserved seating on Levels 1 and 4; typically among the most affordable tickets at Collingwood home matches
- Level 4 – reserved seating in the uppermost rows of the Melbourne Cricket Ground; typically among the most affordable reserved seats at the venue
- Level 4: Front – reserved seating in the front rows of the uppermost tier
- Level 2A: Goal – elevated reserved seating behind the posts
- Level 1: Goal – reserved seating located directly behind the posts
- Level 2A: Wing – elevated reserved seating in between the posts and the middle of the field
- Alcohol Free Zone – family-friendly reserved seating in the lowest tier of the stadium, close to the 50-metre line
- Level 1: Wing – reserved seating in the lowest tier of the stadium, located either side of the posts
- Level 2: Goal – elevated reserved seating behind the posts
- Level 2: Wing – elevated reserved seating in close to the middle of the field; typically among the most expensive standard tickets at Collingwood home games
Premium, Hospitality, & VIP Tickets
Premium match tickets and VIP hospitality packages can be purchased via enquiry for Collingwood home matches. Match day options include:
- Carlton Draught Lounge – reserved premium Level 1 or 2 seat, cocktail food, additional food at half-time, inclusive drinks package, and live music
- Presidents Club – reserved premium Level 2 seat, sit-down meal, inclusive premium drinks package, additional food at half-time, and live entertainment
How to get Cheap Tickets
The price of match tickets for Collingwood home games can vary depending on the strength or prestige of the away team, the importance of the fixture, or the location of a chosen seat, among other factors. For example, a ticket for seat on the wings, for a finals match against a successful team, is likely to cost more money than a seat behind the posts for a regular season fixture against a less decorated side. Koobit compares the prices offered by official sellers and secondary resellers, to help you find your perfect ticket for the most affordable price possible.
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets for Collingwood home matches can be bought online, or in-person at the stadium. Purchasing tickets online is recommended, as online checkouts provide the opportunity to quickly and easily compare prices in a range of sections within the venue, as well as compare prices between suppliers. Opting to buy tickets in-person at the stadium on match days may also mean you are not guaranteed tickets, for example if the event sells-out. Tickets purchased online can be downloaded and then presented digitally upon arrival.
How to Get to a Game
Collingwood Football Club plays the majority of its home matches at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The venue can be accessed by car and by several forms of public transport, as well as via bike and on foot. Visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground travel and parking page for more information, or see the specific travel and parking sections on individual event pages, for more travel information.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the Collingwood page.