Collingwood for all its size and aura has surprisingly struggled to land a big trade fish up forward across the past decade.

Since the days of when two-time All-Australian key forward Travis Cloke and his famous glove were roaming the Magpies' forward line wound up, Collingwood hasn't been able to attract a marquee key forward to the club.

Brody Mihocek had been the Pies' best key forward since, and he was a gamble rookie pick who was originally a defender and now plays for Melbourne.

Dan McStay and Jack Buller were brought in to strengthen Collingwood's attack but neither have dominated in black and white, while young Charlie West is taking time to develop.

So as the Pies look to build a case for their next premiership - and to keep superstar Nick Daicos from having a wandering eye - who are the key forwards the club should throw money and draft picks at to attract this off-season?

Jed Walter

He fits the bill of young and talented, and with Gold Coast's depth in the key forward market he is certainly an option for the Magpies.

Taken with pick three in the 2023 National Draft, Walter has been a slow burn for the Suns but his performance has grown in 2026.

Standing at 195cm he is a mobile key forward that can take a pack mark but also moves smooth around the ground.

Walter, 21 years old, has kicked 17 goals in nine games this season, already nearly eclipsing his previous career-best.

Despite his run of form, he is still no certainty to be picked each week as coach Damien Hardwick weighs up Walter, Ben King, Ethan Read and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan among his best key forward mix.

This uncertainty about his role in the side could likely hurt the ego of a budding young star such as Walter, and the bright lights of the MCG, the promise of receiving perfectly weighted kicks off Daicos' feet and playing in front of the Magpie Army could encourage Walter to seek a trade.

Ben King

King is an interesting case. He is so dominant in attack in terms of goals, leading the Coleman Medal this season after coming second last year.

He is from Melbourne, stands at 202cm and is a tough match up for any defender, so what's the issue with King? He just has no other impact apart from his shots at goal.

It's certainly not the end of the world as goals are worth their weight in gold and King has booted 113 from his last 39 games. Importantly, it's a currency Collingwood is desperately seeking.

However, there is the fact that King has only had double figure possession tallies in four out of the 14 games this season. With his highest total being 11.

If he is not kicking for goal, he has zero impact on a match. 

So the question for Collingwood is, are the Pies seeking a roaming key forward, or would a stay at home, low disposal but high impact tall be what they are after?

Josh Treacy

This is the most unlikely of the four options listed, but - and it is a big but - if Fremantle was to win its maiden flag this season, is there a world in which Treacy's head could be turned?

He is originally from regional Victoria, and if he had paid back Fremantle by handing the Dockers their first ever premiership, could it become a reality for the Pies?

He is a forward that loves the big stage and is arguably on track for his first ever All-Australian jacket this season.

Any club would love to have Treacy on their books for his goal kicking, physicality and impact all across the field.

The other kicker is, he is only 23 years old. Collingwood would be mad to not ask the question.

However, Fremantle would be equally mad to even consider the question as he is locked up until at least 2030 and loves the club who took a punt on him in the rookie draft back in 2020.

Jobe Shanahan

He is only just emerging, but already Shanahan looks to be a beauty.

His contested marking ability is a thing to behold and he is among the game's best at just 19 years of age.

Shanahan has kicked 29 goals from 23 games, while he has also been used as a key defender down back.

Like Fremantle not being willing to let Treacy leave, West Coast won't budge much on Shanahan. However, Shanahan is from the border of Victoria and NSW and could be tempted to move closer to home.

The Eagles are also looking to bring in some big name recruits in the coming 18 months with Sydney's Chad Warner and Port Adelaide's Mitch Georgiades the prime targets. Both of which will cost a pretty penny in draft picks.

So could West Coast be willing to part with Shanahan if it meant helping land those two ready made stars? Either way Collingwood should be banging down the door to convince Shanahan to don the black and white stripes.