Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says Brayden Sier's omission from the side is due to getting the team balance right.
The 21-year old played a key role in the Pies' midfield in the back half of last season, averaging 19.5 possessions and 3.9 clearances across 12 games, including a 21-disposal effort in the Grand Final.
But Sier is yet to receive a senior opportunity this season despite Collingwood's star-studded midfield failing to fire in the opening three games.
โWeโre definitely looking to get the balance in our side. We need a certain amount of inside midfielders and you need the runners outside,โ Buckley toldย SEN Breakfast.
โBrayden was clearly in our best mix towards the end of year and played some really good footy with lower game time. He was a 65 per cent midfielder and just gave us the capacity to thicken the soup.
"Heโs had an okay pre-season, heโs got some solid work in. Heโs had a few little injury concerns over the last month or so but I think what Brayden is working out as we all discover at some stages of our career is that itโs a tough caper. You need to keep finding ways to improve, you need to keep doing the work to get the rewards and there are form fluctuations as well.โ
Buckley remained confident that Sier would get his chance at some stage.
โWeโve got no fears that he has the talent to get back to where he was last year and beyond that,โ Buckley said.
โHeโs just a young man.โ
