Garry Lyon has gone in on the Collingwood forward line and hasn't missed, especially with Mason Cox.
Such was the case all of 2020, Collingwood struggled offensively in their loss to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night - only managing to kick seven goals from 41 inside 50's.
The Pies have long been chasing a key forward to help hit the scoreboard with more regularity, with the load currently falling on the shoulders of Cox.
Cox seemingly had the game at his feet if he wanted when manned-up by Bailey Williams. The duo are separated by 22cm and Cox failed to make the most of the height advantage.
Speaking on SEN radio this morning, Lyon said the Magpies were too placid going forward.
“The only person who felt as comfortable as Adam Treloar on Friday night was Bailey Williams who at 189cm played on a guy called Mason Cox at 211cm," Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“I sat on the intersection of the 50 meter zone and had a great view of the forward line and Mason Cox never asked a question of a 189cm Bailey Williams.
“Williams would’ve looked at him and gone ‘my lord, if I can get him up the ground I can run him, I can get it on the ground and give him a hiding. If he takes me back to the goal square and they kick it in the manner they have occasionally, I’ve got no hope’.
“He didn’t ask the question. The Collingwood forward setup does not ask a question of the opposition. Their marks from kicks inside 50 sat at eight per cent on the weekend.
“You wonder why they can’t kick goals? They don’t hold a forward line ever. When it continually doesn’t work and you don’t make an adjustment, you’re bloody-minded.”
Collingwood managed just five marks inside 50 marks as well as just five forward 50 tackles, meaning the ball was coming out with regular ease as they failed to make the most of their opportunities.
Nathan Buckley's team isn't blessed with tall forwards and did manage to make the 2018 Grand Final playing with a very similar hybrid attack as they do now.
But the Pies currently look miles off the side that lost that Grand Final by a kick.
Collingwood play Carlton on Thursday night at the MCG in what is looming as a must-win clash for both sides.