FROM 13th one year to the premiership the next.
Replicating Richmond's unlikely march to the flag is Collingwood fans' dream scenario in 2018.
However, most Magpie fans are sceptical that under-pressure coach Nathan Buckley can end their side's five-year absence from the finals in 2018.
Giving their take on their side's 2018 prospects in AFL.com.au's pre-season fan survey, more Pie fans tipped their team to finish ninth than any other position.
A lack of quality support for injury-prone forward Jamie Elliott is fans' biggest concern, with many targeting prospective free agent Tom Lynch as the solution to their goalkicking woes.
Here are the pre-season survey results, plus a selection of Magpie fans responses.
What's the Magpies' weakest spot on the park?
Pretty much everywhere that isn't the midfield. Defensively we are a shambles and without Jamie Elliot we cannot score.
- Riley Klug, Perth, WA
Key forward. If we can get Tom Lynch from Gold Coast, 2019 will be our year!
- Garry Rawlinson, Cranbourne East Vic
Forward line. We need Tom Lynch ASAP so we can play Moore back.
- Logan McDonald, Perth WA
Poor footskills. No above-average forwards bar Elliott, who is always injured.
- Tim Flodger, Mitcham Vic
It'll be a great year if ...
... Buckley finally gets a good run with injuries. He has been cursed.
- Claude Santilli, Brunswick East Vic
... We make finals, preferably top six. We have waited far too long for a finals berth and to be brutally honest Buckley doesn't deserve to keep his job should we fail to achieve this goal in 2018.
- Riley Klug, Perth WA
... Pendles goes to a back flank and commands from there, leaving the centre to faster and more desperate players like De Goey, Aish and Adams.
- Wah Fong, Baulkham Hills NSW
What's your dream headline in 2018?
'Tom Lynch Joins Collingwood'
- Jay Dlugosz, Maiden Gully Vic
'Mason Cox kicks 10 goals on Anzac Day'
- Bruno Marino, Oakleigh South Vic
'13th one year, Premiers the next - is it happening again?'
- Hanif Mohamed, Hampton Park Vic
What's the headline you secretly dread?
'Jordan De Goey gets another club suspension'
- Sam Fangaloka, Mildura Vic
'Hot Chips, cold drinks but no Pies in finals'
- Kevin Bullen, Preston Vic
'Nathan Buckley sacked'
- Hans Kakos, Roxburgh Park Vic
Read more fans' season previews
• Adelaide: Bryce is nice, but backline the worry
• Brisbane: 50 goals for Eric and no spoon, please
