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.

TRADE TARGETS:ย ADELAIDE,ย BRISBANE, CARLTONย 

Next

5. Rhys Mathiesonย 

The fringe Lion midfielder is putting in work at VFL level, and his most recent outing would have put plenty of Pies on notice.

The 25-year-old collected 43 touches (19 more than any other player on the field), 7 clearances, 7 marks, 10 inside 50s and 2 goals against Collingwood's reserves in a 25-point win at Olympic Park on Saturday.

Those numbers are no anomaly either, with Mathieson consistently among the Lions' leading ball-winners and impact players in the second tier.

He has, however, found himself without an opportunity at AFL level under Chris Fagan, having not been sighted this season despite his stunning run of form in the twos.

As the Lions show little need for Mathieson this season, the hard-nosed onballer could come at a cheap price for any interested suitor, with Collingwood able to pick up another bargain fringe midfielder.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Mitch Robinson, Jarrod Berry, Lions head coach Chris Fagan and Rhys Mathieson of the Lions sing the song in the rooms after winning the round 17 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Brisbane Lions at University of Tasmania Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Collingwood have just one inside midfielder aged in the 24-27-year-old bracket, with that player being out-of-contract star Jordan De Goey, who is no certainty to be in black and white next year.

Should the Pies want add to low list of ready-made onballers, Mathieson will come at next to nothing and could have a resounding impact.

Next