AFTER a heartbreaking end to season 2023, there is a lot of newness around Collingwood’s VFLW side.

Headlining the fresh faces is new senior coach Tom Cashin, with former Bulldogs assistant swapping out Whitten Oval for Victoria Park.

Cashin says his first preseason in the role has gone well, albeit brief.

“Preseason has been fantastic. It’s been short. I’ve only had the program for 10 weeks, so the energy and excitement has been present since day one and it’s been definitely exciting, but it’s definitely felt quick,” he said.

Cashin had glowing praise for new captain Megan Ryan’s efforts this offseason, labelling her “enthusiasm and energy” as infectious.

“Not only is she an amazing footballer, she’s just a phenomenal person, and just brings pure energy to the group,” he said.

The other new thing at Collingwood is its playing list, with Cashin confirming 30 new faces are in the squad. Of the side that played on Grand Final Day in 2023, only Marnie Jarvis stayed, while former-Pie Rebecca Grant makes a return to the club after a stint at Casey.

There is plenty of young talent among the new faces that Cashin is excited to watch this season, including recent Coates Talent League graduates Ava Campbell, Jemma Ramsdale and Maya Ellin. Such a turnover will see Collingwood build from “the very bottom up”.

“I’ve felt very lucky to come into a program that I can pretty much build from the very bottom up and implement exactly what I want to do with how I want to play. Pretty much everyone is starting extremely fresh with night one being the first education session of the program.”

The clean slate is something that really attracted Cashin to the role in the first place.

“I think it’s pretty much a coach’s dream that has players the majority of the list and coaching staff that have got past experiences of that same program ready to go, whereas I saw the opportunity to come in with a completely blank slate to build exactly what I think modern football looks like and how it should be played,” he said.

“The Collingwood Football Club have been so supportive of the vision I have and I believe the players are the same. They’ve bought in to a fun, energetic and exciting brand of football that it really feels like every time you turn up you’re not only going to learn something, but you just get that love for footy to come and play.”

Collingwood begins its 2024 VFLW campaign against Southern Saints in Friday night’s season opener at RSEA Park. The Pies’ first home game is scheduled for Round 4, against Carlton at Victoria Park.