Collingwood's Sam Swadling has sent a strong selection statement after his surprise omission from the AFL lineup last weekend.
Swadling was omitted for the trip to Adelaide and did not return for the loss to Geelong despite having caught the eye with some big moments across his five games.
With the Magpies needing to make at least two changes this week due to injuries to Jeremy Howe and Harry Perryman, Swadling posted 39 disposals and nine clearances in a clear best afield outing against top-of-the-table Geelong.
While the Magpies will be more focussed on finding defenders to replace the injured pair, there is the option to shuffle an experienced player or utility such as Steele Sidebottom or Scott Pendlebury into defence given the club is light on for defensive reinforcements.
Both Sidebottom and Pendlebury have played in the backline at different stages this season, with Pendlebury going back on Thursday night for a period following the injuries.
Joel Cochran, who coach Craig McRae has reiterated optimism about, is one the Magpies could look at to come in if they are after a like-for-like replacement but he is yet to debut, while Wil Parker has played five games this year but is undersized.
Cochran, in particular, showed toughness against a potent Geelong forward line in the Magpies upset win, and he has averaged 16 disposals and four marks this season.
Mid-Season pickup Harrison Coe is another name worth tracking, with McRae putting on the radar during the week that Darcy Cameron is sore.
The mature-aged ruck had 31 hitouts and five clearances in the VFL.
Roan Steele had 15 disposals and kicked two goals and remains in the frame for an AFL recall while Will Hayes may also return, having now played four games since his shoulder layoff.
Collingwood's loss on Thursday night means a lot needs to fall its way to qualify for the top six, which starts with beating each of West Coast, Hawthorn and Brisbane on the run home.
