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.
Peel Thunder defender Jacob Blight has quickly developed into a formidable, big-bodied backman at the state league level, with his rise out west earning him Team of the Year honours in the WAFL last year.
Blight has started the 2024 season superbly, averaging 18.3 disposals and 9.25 marks per game for the Thunder across the opening four games of the season.
The 196cm, 102kg 23-year-old's most recent performance was arguably his best yet, with the key defender recording season-highs for disposals (22) and marks (13) against West Coast's reserves.
Having plied his trade in the WAFL for Claremont and now Peel, Blight is a readily-built key defensive option who could prove to be a Mid-Season Draft chance given his impressive past 12 months in Western Australia.
Blight was among the 321 players to nominate for last year's Mid-Season Draft, and now firms as a stronger chance to go to the next level.
The Eastern Ranges defender has returned to the Talent League as an over-age prospect - an avenue that has opened the door for recent Mid-Season Draft Pick 1 selections Jai Culley and Ryan Maric to impress as potential mid-year recruits.
Back with the Ranges for this season, Trembath has improved on his draft campaign since being overlooked to emerge as a promising key defensive option, with his marking ability and long kicking among the teenager's leading attributes.
The 193cm talent is averaging 18.0 disposals, 6.5 marks and 5.0 rebound 50s per game across his two matches, while he has also linked up with North Melbourne's VFL squad for the year ahead.
Having been among the handful of 2023 prospects deemed unlucky not to secure a spot on an AFL list last November, Trembath could be a name on Collingwood's radar come next month's intake.
Like Trembath, Hopkins is perhaps less of a quick-fix option and more of a recruit that would bolster Collingwood's backline depth for the long term.
While Hopkins is a lighter frame and more of an attacking option among the available backmen, the Dandenong Stingrays talent is growing as an aerial threat who can prove to be an astute two-way option.
Hopkins averaged close to 20 disposals in his draft campaign, and from three matches this year is posting a mean of 26 touches, 5.0 marks and 6.3 rebounds 50s for the Stingrays to earn a spot in the Young Guns squad alongside Trembath.
An impressive stint across two appearances for the Young Guns could be enough for AFL clubs to come calling at the Mid-Season Draft, with the Magpies potentially among those with interest.
Should the reigning premiers be keen on adding an already experienced defender to their rearguard through the Mid-Season Draft, then they're not short on options.
Recent drafts have seen the likes of Caleb Poulter, Quinton Narkle, Sam Durdin, Will Hayes and Will Snelling earn a new chance in the AFL, with a handful of recently delisted defenders potentially viable options for Collingwood to consider.
Former St Kilda backman Tom Highmore was considered unlucky to be cut by the Saints at the cessation of last season, with the 26-year-old deciding to remain in Victoria for 2024 by signing with VFL outfit Port Melbourne.
Higmore recently represented Victoria in the State Game against South Australia and would collect 21 disposals and seven marks in a head-to-head matchup with ex-Hawthorn forward Jackson Callow.
The Canberra-born backman has started the season with the Borough just as positively, averaging over 20 disposals and six marks per game from four matches.
Other experienced options at the state league level include Cameron Fleeton, Aiden Bonar, Lachie Young and Connor McFadyen.
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.
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.