Collingwood is leading a current trend of players extending their AFL careers well into the 30s with then 'ageing' Magpies currently premiership favourites.
Despite going into season 2025 with the oldest-ever AFL list average of 26.4 years, Collingwood have won nine of their 11 matches so far ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn at the MCG.
The advantages of an experienced list were first seen by Geelong, who won the 2022 premiership with the league's oldest list that season - a squad average of 25.5.
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But Craig McRae's Magpies have taken it to a new level in 2025 after missing the finals last season in the year after their 2023 flag win.
Critics widely suggested Collingwood needed to start rebuilding their list profile in a younger direction after their ninth-placed finish in 2024.
Instead, the Magpies doubled-down on their experienced list strategy, creating the oldest list of all-time in a bid for another assault on a premiership.
Collingwood have 10 players in their squad over 30 years of age, with five of them featuring in a best 23 for players over 30 in 2025.
Scott Pendlebury, Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliott and Jack Crisp have all been selected, while Brody Mihocek was only just overlooked.
Unsurprisingly, Geelong feature four players in the veteran team, including Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Stewart and Mark Blicavs.
AFL best 23 team - Players over 30
| FB | Jeremy Howe [34] (COL) | Sam Collins [30] (GCS) | Tom Stewart [32] (GEE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB | Dayne Zorko [36] (BRI) | Steven May [33] (MEL) | Jack Sinclair [30] (STK) |
| C | Mark Blicavs [34] (GEE) | Steele Sidebottom [34] (COL) | Lachie Whitfield [30] (GWS) |
| HF | Toby Greene [31] (GWS) | Jeremy Cameron [32] (GEE) | Jack Crisp [31] (COL) |
| FF | Charlie Cameron [30] (BRI) | Jesse Hogan [30] (GWS) | Jamie Elliott [32] (COL) |
| R | Max Gawn [33] (MEL) | Patrick Cripps [30] (CAR) | Lachie Neale [31] (BRI) |
| INT | Scott Pendlebury [37] (COL) | Tom Liberatore [32] (WB) | Patrick Dangerfield [35] (GEE) |
| Toby Nankervis [30] (RIC) | SUB: Jack Viney [31] (MEL) |