Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been "working strongly" alongside the club's coaching staff in an analysis and developmental role at the AIA Centre.

Murphy - who was medically retired from the AFL 12 months ago following multiple bouts of concussion - rejoined the Pies in April in an off-field role.

At the time, the 57-gamer wanted to remain at the club that drafted him, and has found a niche role to help assist the coaching group.

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"He's a much-loved figure, Murph. He brings a lot of comedic value to the group and keeps it a pretty light and fun environment," assistant coach Jordan Roughead said.

"He's doing a lot of opposition analysis work and some development coaching as well. So he's another that we're rapt to have back in the fold and working strongly alongside us."

His unfortunate departure left a gaping hole in the reigning premiers' defence last year, with the club scrambling to replace the courageous 25-year-old.

So far, Billy Frampton and Charlie Dean have been trialled in Murphy's position to help captain Darcy Moore combat the opposition's best tall forwards, to which there's been varied success.

But following a move from the front half, former Pick 23 Reef McInnes looks poised to fill the void left by his ex-teammate.

McInnes has struggled to cement a spot as a forward target since 2021, playing 19 games for a return of 20 goals.

"He's been great. He's he's got some traits that are going to make him a really, really good key defender," Roughead said of McInnes.

"He's clearly got speed and power, and his aerial game is really strong, so he's been a great addition to our back end.

"I think he'll have a strong year down there for us. It's nice to see him attack the game and have real confidence in the way he communicates out there and sets his teammates up as well."

Pies fans got a glimpse of what the McInnes-Moore combination would look like on Wednesday when the 2025 flag fancies defeated Richmond by 83 points at IKON Park.

The 22-year-old amassed 14 disposals, five marks and four intercept possessions from 88 per cent game time in a one-sided affair.

Frampton was named in the 26-man squad but wasn't utilised while Dean featured in the club's VFL outing on Thursday alongside Frampton.

If coach Craig McRae opts to persist with his new defensive key pairing, McInnes will be thrown into the deep end in Opening Round against GWS attackers Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman and Jake Stringer.