David King has called for Collingwood to be bold at the selection table and drop Will Hoskin-Elliott and Josh Thomas.

The pair, who have combined for just two goals between them through three games, have struggled to have an impact up forward since the Pies' 2018 grand final season.

Hoskin-Elliott booted 42 goals in 2018 and has bagged 31 since, while Thomas kicked 38 goals in 2018 and has found the big sticks just 27 times since.

King believes the pair's poor defensive efforts in the last 40 seconds of Collingwood's after-the-siren loss to Brisbane is enough reason to justify their omissions this week.

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Speaking on SEN radio, King urged Nathan Buckley to make a selection statement.

“I would make change off the back of that final play, I really would,” King told SEN’s The Picks.

“People say, ‘You’re too harsh, you’re too severe’ but when (Will) Hoskin-Elliott and (Josh) Thomas decide to stay forward of the ball when all you’re trying to do is save the game in that last 40 seconds, nope, not for me.

“Where’s your head? Where’s your head at?

“If you’re thinking about getting reward for yourself when the team just needs you to fight and fight, guard the corridor and allow Daniel Rich to stroll through the middle of Marvel (Stadium).

“I think Nathan (Buckley) will swing the axe. I think he’ll drop a couple of those guys.”

Collingwood will make at least one change, having already announced that Beau McCreery will make his official AFL debut this weekend after being named the medical sub against Brisbane but not coming on the field.

Stay tuned here for official team line-up announcements at 6.20pm tonight (all times AEST).

The Pies will look to get their second win of the season when they host the winless Giants at the MCG on Saturday night at 7.25pm.