Collingwood have announced themselves as a finals contender after a 17th-placed finish last season, with rookie coach Craig McRae leading his young brigade to a potential September berth in 2022.
The Magpies have blooded a number of new names and faces across this year and continue to prove doubters wrong despite their youthful squad.
The likes of prized pick Nick Daicos and former Bulldog Patrick Lipinski have been a breath of fresh air, while Darcy Cameron is enjoying a career-best campaign in his third year at the club since switching from Sydney.
The trio, among many others, have been crucial in Collingwood's turn of fortunes, with further off-season acquisitions needed to strengthen the club's hopes of reaching an elusive 16th premiership.
With the Magpies likely to be major players in the open market this year, we've named five potential targets for Collingwood to consider.
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3. Josh Battle
When you identify what list needs the Magpies currently long for, it's easy to see key position stocks at either end of the field are in need of bolstering.
Whether it be in attack or across half-back, St Kilda swingman Josh Battle has shown a knack to cover both roles, and could do so under Craig McRae seamlessly.
This year, Battle has flourished as a defensive interceptor and mover of the Sherrin from the back half for the Saints and could work in tandem with the likes of Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard in further strengthening McRae's rearguard.
Off-contract this season, Battle is sure to demand a hefty pay bump from the Saints after announcing himself as a best 22 player this year, while the club looks to lock in fellow tall Rowan Marshall for the future.
