Collingwood is set to explore several avenues to potentially find a replacement for retired premiership defender Nathan Murphy, with next month's Mid-Season Draft shaping as a window where the reigning premiers could bolster their backline.

The unfortunate and abrupt ending to Murphy's career will open up a list spot that the Magpies could use to fill a void in defence midway through the year while waiting for the off-season might be an option should they be patient enough.

Collingwood has found some positive in Billy Frampton's return to Craig McRae's side over the past month, while Charlie Dean and Joshua Eyre are also set to be in the selection mix going forward.

Murphy's forced exit is the latest unwanted defensive departure at Olympic Park, with the Magpies losing both Tom Langdon and Jordan Roughead in years gone by.

So how could Collingwood use the Mid-Season Draft, or upcoming trade and free agency periods, to aid their backline?

We explore several differing Mid-Season Draft prospects, as well as the names potentially up for grabs from other AFL clubs at the end of the season.

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5. Plan for trade period or free agency

Could the Magpies look to make a move at the end of the year instead of the Mid-Season Draft?

Having missed out on Tom Doedee during last year's exchange window, Collingwood could again look at the open market and potentially pinch a key defender from a competing rival instead.

While it's no easy task to lure a player out of their current club, Collingwood might not be sure of options given the current list of off-contract defenders.

Geelong duo Jack Henry and Jake Kolodjashnij are both eligible for free agency at the end of the year, as is St Kilda's Josh Battle.

Josh Battle during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between St Kilda and Collingwood (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Hawthorn has defensive pair Jack Scrimshaw and Denver Grainger-Barras unsigned beyond this season, while Battle's teammate Dougal Howard is another backman who is entering an uncertain future.

GWS veteran Nick Haynes could fit the bill as a quick-fix option, with the inaugural Giant struggling to break into Adam Kingsley's side despite 205 games of experience.

Haynes is another free-agent option, which the Magpies might need to consider given they're without a first-round draft selection for this year's count.

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