Collingwood coach Craig McRae is daring to dream his AFL side is capable of something special in the back half of the year.
Heading into his first season in charge, McRae admitted he didn't have any idea where the Magpies sat in the competition's pecking order.
The 48-year-old has maintained that position throughout the first half of the campaign, amid mixed results as the new-look coaching staff embedded its game plan.
But impressive wins over high-flying Fremantle and Carlton in their last two outings have boosted the Magpies' expectations.
"We just didn't know where we were at but we're starting to find out that maybe our best is really capable," McRae said.
"In the last couple of weeks we've proven that.
"I said to the players, 'You beat Freo and they beat Melbourne, so we can beat them now'.
"It doesn't work that way, we know, but we've always said from day one that we want to act like winners and we'll have winning habits and behaviours in everything we do.
"That's been the message from day one and we're going to continue to strive to be that team."
Sunday's narrow four-point triumph over traditional rivals Carlton improved the Magpies' season record to 6-5.
There is now only percentage separating them from eighth spot.
Collingwood face Hawthorn and ladder leaders Melbourne before their bye in round 14.
