Collingwood coach Craig McRae has hinted at potential inclusions for Friday night's showdown against the Swans in Gather Round as the Pies look to replace three significant members of their side.
Jordan De Goey is set to miss Friday night's affair with what McRae describes as a "grumbling ankle" concern, while best-on-ground in Round 4's win over the Blues Lachie Schultz could miss up to three weeks after scans revealed a low-grade hamstring strain from a Sunday training session.
Dan Houston will also miss the clash and Round 6 after being handed down a two-game ban for his high bump on Carlton's Lachie Fogarty, which McRae admitted he had to accept,
"The incident's the incident... I think that the reality of missing the best players is not much fun as a coach and as a team," McRae said.
"I look at it as opportunity - opportunity to improve, opportunity for him to freshen up, an opportunity for others to come and play roles."
De Goey, who will travel with the Pies to Adelaide and their next stop in Brisbane, was subbed out tactically against Carlton.
Despite the ankle injury on Sunday raising questions about De Goey's health during Thursday night, McRae assured that the fresh blow was not the reason for his substitution.
"He had no signs of this to this degree. He had little things going on prior to the game, and that's what we looked after him a little bit. Then he's pulled up a little sore on Sunday," McRae said.
Despite an optimistic outlook that De Goey will be sidelined for just Gather Round, McRae conceded he wasn't sure if the premiership star would reach match fitness by Round 6.
"We're hopeful that Brisbane's the target but we're not sure. That's still the plan," McRae said.
"We'll take him to Adelaide, and we'll take him to Brisbane."
With opportunity available for brimming fringe talent, McRae revealed a trio of names pressing for selection this weekend.
Veterans Will Hoskin-Elliott and Mason Cox could find themselves back in the senior side, as could emerging youngster Ed Allan.
"We've had two or three players playing really well at the VFL level for a number of weeks, actually more than that now," McRae said.
"Mason's down there at VFL, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Ed Allan have all been (competing for) opportunities in the same block, so those names will come up."
Additionally, McRae doubled down on his post-match comments that Ned Long will earn a full stint at AFL level this week after three games as the starting sub from his four appearances this season.
"Ned's playing. He's been someone that has just shown these regardless of where is he, where he plays, he says, 'I'll do whatever you need for the team'," McRae said.
"His pressure has been elite, like AFL elite, in terms of getting the ball back for us.
"I'm looking forward to see him do that for four quarters."
Boasting a 9-4 record at Adelaide Oval, the best winning percentage of all AFL clubs, the Pies will take great confidence into their battle with Sydney, with both sides aiming to continue their respective winning streaks on Friday.
