Our inaugural captain will lead our side for the 50th time this weekend, a milestone she never expected to reach.

"We only played six or seven games in the first season and I always thought I would be too old (to reach 50 games)," Steph Chiocci said this week.

"It's really exciting, especially to play 50 games for the one club - that's really important to me.

"It has been a heck of a journey."

Chiocci is one of five original Pies - alongside Ruby Schleicher, Brit Bonnici, Stacey Livingstone and Soph Casey - who have forged a special culture for the women's program.

Collingwood tasted victory in just one game in 2019 but a rapid rise in the following two seasons culminated in a preliminary final berth in 2021.

"It was really challenging at the start to be honest but I always knew we would come out the other side and create a legacy," Chiocci said.

"We have a really good program now and we've made finals the last few years.

"Seeing the growth in players on and off the field has been so rewarding."

While Chiocci grew up during an era when grassroots women's footy was almost non-existent, she now represents the highest level for other young girls to aspire to.

"Hopefully the next generation of players can play 100 or 200 games," she said.

"I'm forever grateful - I come from an era when we would train once a week and we'd get kicked off the main oval for the men's team...that's never far from my mind.

"Here at Collingwood I hope we continue to build on our standards and become a ruthless, relentless team and continue to be really good people as well."