Most of the Pies’ squad took part in a training session in Beischer Park in Strathdale on Tuesday, however Brodie Grundy, Jessie White, Clinton Young and Lachlan Keefe trained away from the main group.

The quartet were left to run laps, while the young-looking Pies squad took part in a series of light drills in front of an adoring Magpie army. 

Collingwood defender Nathan Brown is reaping the rewards of having completed his first full pre-season in several years.

The premiership player was plagued by injuries in 2014, but says he is finally fit and ready to fire. 

"I haven’t missed a session," Brown said.

"I have played two NAB Cup games and I am looking to play another one this week to finish that preparation off.

Brown admitted it had been frustrating to miss so many games through injury, but said there was never any chance of giving it up all together.

“I want to be out there with the team and playing,” Brown said.

“I wanted to contribute.

“Especially the way we finished off last season, it was hard to sit in the stands and not be able to help in an on-field sense.”

Brown said he felt it was important for him to step up as a senior player and take on more responsibility within the club.

He has now become a member of the Pies’ leadership group.

“We have had a lot of experience depart over the past few years and so it’s my chance now to step up,” Brown said.

“It keeps me on my toes.”

At just 26-years-old, Brown is one of the more senior players on the Pies’ list.

Fifteen players under the age of 22 played in Collingwood’s first NAB Challenge match.

Brown believes the club’s younger generation of players will get their chance to play in the senior team this year. 

“We do have a young group, but that makes it exciting,” he said. 

“There is an unknown this season. 

“We don’t know how we are going to go and that is exciting for us.

“We have worked really hard to get the older guys and the younger guys to be on the same page and I think we are more equal than ever before.

“I think there is going to be high competition for spots in round one and into the season, which is a good thing for us.

"We have about 40 or so guys we can pick from.

"We have done a few sessions when we have tried to pick the 22 and its been hard, because we are leaving out quality players. 

“In a club sense we are in a  good position.

“We are expecting good things this year and, hopefully, we can fulfill those expectations."

Brown said he and the team were looking forward to their round one clash against the Brisbane Lions and going head-to-head with former team-mate Dayne Beams. 

"The boys are looking forward to it," he said.

"Beams was a great part of our team, we all understood why he had to leave.

"It is important for us to get the win, it will set up the rest of the season and will give us some confidence, especially if we play a few younger players."

Brown said he was confident the Pies would reclaim their spot in the top eight this season after missing the finals for the first time in seven years.

"People are going to come for us, everyone likes to get on our back," he said.

"But, in the same token we are confident in what we can achieve.

"We are hoping to get back in the eight and go deep into the finals."