Small-ball or something radical? How Pies could set up their forward line against Cats

Collingwood is facing a selection dilemma ahead of Friday’s clash against Geelong at the MCG.

With Brody Mihocek, Daniel McStay and Mason Cox all sidelined – Collingwood’s three tall forwards in their premiership team – the Pies might have to go small in front of the footy.

Swingman Jeremy Howe, who has been put forward in recent weeks, also appears unlikely to play, which means that Billy Frampton will have to remain in defence alongside Darcy Moore.

With Nathan Kreuger perhaps the only recognised tall forward option unless the Pies recall either Ash Johnson or Reef McInnes – who come in at 193cm and 194cm respectively – SEN’s Sam Edmund thinks they must get creative inside 50.

He asked former Pies assistant Brenton Sanderson whether they could do something radical at selection and pick a forward line consisting of Kreuger – who also plays second ruck, alongside a group of smalls such as the potentially returning Jamie Elliott, Lachie Schultz, Bobby Hill, Joe Richards and Harvey Harrison.

Edmund: “Craig McRae said magnets don't win your games, which I thought was an interesting comment.

“Jeremy Howe doesn't sound like he's going to be playing. There's no Brody Mihocek, no Dan McStay there’s no Mason Cox.

“I know Kreuger's there, but Billy Frampton you'd think will have to go back to pair with Darcy Moore in in defence.

“Are they going to do something pretty radical in their front 50? Is it going to be small-ball? Is it going to be something we’ve never seen? Something has to give.”

Sanderson: “I think you're right. When you look at their forward line even at the moment it’s (Bobby) Hill, (Lachie) Schultz, (Joe) Richards, (Pat) Lipinski and (Harvey) Harrison – that’s not scary. I love those players, but it’s not like coming up against Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

“They have to find a way to try something differently and it might be getting the ball in there faster and getting it to low to numbers … kicking it out in a space where you can they can use their speed.”

While they’ve got issues in front of the footy, Sanderson also believes that inconsistency in effort is hurting the side which is putting pressure on the defence that has leaked 90+ points in each of their last three games.

“But I think I think what we're sort of dancing around at the moment a little bit is there’s just that inconsistent desire, the intangible want (to put in effort),” Sanderson said.

“It feels like there's too much left to too few at the moment.

“I think they're leaving their backs too exposed at the moment as well. I don't think that sort of midfield pressure is really there.

“Defensively, they just look a little bit out of sorts. There are a lot of questions at the moment for the Pies, and they really do need to find their best form until reinforcements arrive.

“Hopefully it's not too late for Collingwood and their supporters.”

Friday’s big game against the Cats begins at 7:40pm (AEST) at the MCG.