Collingwood coach Craig McRae has hinted at Ed Allan going straight to Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli in Friday's historic Wildcard Round clash at the MCG.
Allan has largely been tasked with curbing some of the opposition's best on-ballers during his breakout season, and has impressed with the Pies working through a new contract.
Ed Richards is another target for the improved Pies, but the recently dubbed eight-time All-Australian poses as his first option.
"Bont's probably the one at the moment," McRae said.
"He's impact is significant, but we will see how that plays out."
Collingwood is expected to welcome back Isaac Quaynor for the senior side after missing last week's clash with Brisbane with a glute injury.
Former Bulldog and winger Patrick Lipinski is also pressing his case and will need to tick all required boxes to be selected for Friday's match.
The Pies have requested injured veteran Scott Pendlebury in the coach's box on Friday, awaiting AFL's approval.
"He'll support our midfield and stoppage work," McRae said.
"When we didn't have him play at Gold Coast, he sat next to me, and it was such an asset, so we like to get him involved in the preparation of that.
"He's very balanced, and that's probably the testament when there's the hustle and bustle of 100,000 people and big moments in games.
"He's just been able to just stay in a real calm, level space."
McRae also followed up on Zak Butters' decision to bypass the Pies as he weighs up his free agency decision.
Collingwood were ruled out earlier this week, leaving Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Richmond remaining in the hunt.
The Pies premiership coach touched on some lessons he learnt from Butters' call.
"We want to be a club that players want to come and play at," McRae said.
"I think just offering the MCG as a, I suppose, carrot - we need to be more than that.
"I think we've got a lot of layers to us and we've got a lot to offer."
