Much has been made of Collingwood's forward line relying on too few for too much.
But an early-season indication has revealed just how big the Pies' forward connection issues really are.
Collingwood was happy to let Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox walk to other clubs, with Melbourne and Fremantle becoming the beneficiaries of the premiership duo.
Mihocek's experience was on show in his Demons debut, slotting three goals but more importantly, playing the perfect foil to Jacob van Rooyen, who kicked six in the victory.
Cox hasn't debuted for the Dockers, but would've been a worthwhile retention given the new AFL ruck rules. He also provides a contest up forward, and a presence that would've assisted the Pies in its search for another premiership under Craig McRae.
Now, that's before 2026 started.
Daniel McStay and Tim Membrey were touted as two of a three-pronged forward line, while Swan-turned-Pie Jack Buller was to fit the mould of Mihocek, despite considerably less experience.
After a career-best season, Jamie Elliott is a year older, but will still be deemed Collingwood's most dangerous forward, and will be treated by opposition accordingly.
The absence of Bobby Hill compounds the Pies' problems inside 50, while Beau McCreery's development into a mid-forward has left another gaping hole in attack.
There's a distinct lack of firepower, and it is hard to see where McRae finds it.
A 1-1 record shouldn't gloss over the glaring issue.
Collingwood slotted 11 goals in both St Kilda and Adelaide clashes, and have lost the inside 50 count on average by more than nine.
This contributed to the most damning state of all: Inside 50 retention rate.
In its opening two games, Collingwood has an average of 37 per cent, which indicates the proportion of kicks retained by a Magpie from a teammate.
The AFL average sits at 48 per cent.
In McRae's four seasons in charge, the Pies never dipped under 44.7, which can be attributed to a major overhaul in the style of play in 2022.
Collingwood is bottom six in the competition for marks inside 50 (10 per game). Membrey has taken five grabs inside the arc, while McStay (two) and Buller (none) haven't contributed much.
The return of Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe following the club's Round 2 bye should ease the pressure defensively, whilst also providing a solution up forward, with the latter having previously spent time inside the arc.
Club CEO Craig Kelly has revealed that the Pies are already exploring the market to improve their list, with Gold Coast free agent Ben King looming as the perfection solution in the front half.
But until then, McRae and his men have their work cut out for them.
