Scott Pendlebury had already finished second in the Copeland Trophy.

Leon Davis was kicking Goal of the Year.

Dale Thomas and his long blond locks were the talk of the town.

Paul Medhurst was enjoying a career-best season.

It was season 2008. Can it really be 10 years ago?

Seventeen of the 22 premiership players (23, including Leon Davis) of 2010 were already on the club’s playing list. Mick Malthouse was in his ninth year at the helm, his first without the services of Nathan Buckley, James Clement and Paul Licuria.

Drained of the 10 Copeland Trophies won between the retiring trio, the Magpies fell into eighth place but caused a September boilover, shocking Adelaide at Football Park in an action-packed Elimination Final.

The season came to a grinding halt against St Kilda the next week, but the form of youngsters Anthony, Dawes, McCarthy, Clarke and Cox, among others, had the Magpie Army warbling.

The year hadn’t been without its controversies.

Anthony Rocca missed most of it due to injury. Travis Cloke’s form tapered slightly after a stirring 2007. And Alan Didak, Heath Shaw and Rhyce Shaw were dealt a club-imposed suspension. The year certainly had its challenges.

But look beneath the surface, and you’ll notice the greenshoots that were appearing.

Dane Swan won the first of three Copeland Trophies.

Jack Anthony went from untried VFL defender into Collingwood’s main man in attack.

And Scott Burns enjoyed his only season as captain, before retirement saw him hand the reigns over to a man named Nick Maxwell.

Reckon you’ve got a good recollection of the team of 2008? See how sharp your Magpie mind is and try our name test in the module below.

Floreat Pica.