When Jamie Elliott and Bobby Hill are removed from Collingwood's forward line, the lack of star power becomes obvious.
Yet despite the absence of two of their most damaging attackers, a front-half group featuring Dan McStay, Tim Membrey, Patrick Lipinski, Beau McCreery, Lachie Schultz and a host of midfielders has found a way to keep the scoreboard ticking — and the Pies' season alive.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae referred to his forward line as a "revolving door" given the constant changes to the group, which is something assistant Tyson Goldsack has found difficult to contend with.
"It's been interesting, to say the least," Goldsack told Zero Hanger.
"We've got a pretty consistent group of players that have been in and around the forward line, and then we've been able to mix a lot of midfielders to go forward and play some roles for us.
"It's making sure we're across the different roles that need to be played. If there's six positions in a forward line, generally five of them are going to be different to each other. You might have two keys, your big forwards, who are similar.
"So mine's just making sure the players know all the roles for when the time comes when they have to play them. Getting the connection between the constant members in the forward line and those that come and spend more time forward."
McStay and Membrey have been the focal points of the Pies' 2026 resurgence.
The former Lion has kicked a career-best 29 goals, including six in the past two weeks. Membrey has also hit the scoreboard frequently, kicking 10 goals in the last month. All correlating to wins.
"They've been unbelievable this year," Goldsack said.
"They don't get the accolades of AFL-best key forwards, but the work they do for us and the turn-up we get from them is really good. If you look at Tim Membrey's last month, it's almost career best. He's been really good for us, super hard-working.
"Dan is in a similar boat where he's actually sharing the second ruck role. He's finding that balance and has been pivotal for us over the last six weeks."
The scoring uptick has also been helped by midfielders Nick Daicos (20 goals) and Jordan De Goey (16) getting involved, while unlikely scorers Angus Anderson (11), Roan Steele (11) and Patrick Lipinski (nine) have all contributed.
The Pies have explored ways to maximise their front-half threat, including pushing Daicos and De Goey closer to goal and trialling Scott Pendlebury as a forward option.
Those decisions are a regular part of the club's weekly planning, with role changes often dictated by the challenges posed by each opponent.
"It's definitely collaborative," Goldsack said.
"We sit down as a coaching group and work through the team and the opposition and what our best look forward of the ball is on a majority basis, and who we want to pick. Do we want to pick another midfielder to keep fresh legs? It will require them to come forward.
"Nick and Jordan are always welcome in the forward line. We know their capability and the impact they can have on games. And "Pendles" was there (last weekend). He's so smart and so helpful for those around him.
"We have a game plan that we think works really well for us.
"How much emphasis you're putting on defence versus offence, trying to strike the perfect balance, is really difficult. But that has to change from game to game against different opposition. We've got an analyst by the name of Jack Prato. He's a genius. He's really good at what he does. Our scouting teams are finding ways to get the best out of our club each week. We get the information from him and other analysts, and that gives us a pretty good idea of what's required to get the chocolates on the weekend.
"That, combined with Fly's game plan to start with, and then we can make little shifts that come off the back of the analysis report and the work we do watching the games back. The more you know, the easier it is to make changes on the go."
Ahead of Saturday's clash with Carlton at the MCG, the Collingwood "revolving door" reared its head once again, with Schultz downed by an ankle injury, and will miss at least the next fortnight, while Charlie West was recalled at the expense of Jack Buller.
For Goldsack, the challenge has never been finding the perfect forward line — it's been finding ways to make every combination work.
