With a grand final appearance in 2018, a preliminary final last year and the 2020 season sitting precariously, Collingwood's premiership window looks to be creeping closer to the padlock.
Their list is not getting any younger, with many of the Magpies' top end talent either in or edging toward the autumn of their careers.
Undoubtedly, the aim of professional football teams is to win silverware and goals must be kicked to do so.
Collingwood's tall forward stocks are headlined by Mason Cox, a man recently foreign to the code, Brody Mihocek, a mature-aged recruit originally selected as an intercept defender, and Darcy Cameron, the former Swan more recognised as a ruckman.
The attacking mosquito fleet of Stephenson, De Goey, Elliot and the like have served the Pies often and admirably in the past, but their output on the scoreboard this season doesn't make for pretty reading.
If Collingwood are serious about adding to their premiership tally with this list, then it is time they bite the bullet and get the cheque book out for a tall forward.
Whether a realistic option or Pie in the sky, here are the names that should be on the Woodsmen's shopping list.
Though before you begin dreaming Collingwood fans, this is contingent on your club making room in their salary cap, meaning some of your favourites may be out the door.
Do you agree with our 10?
3.
Tom Hawkins
Currently leading the Coleman Medal race and in red-hot form, it would seem impossible for the Pies to prize the Tomahawk loose.
Still, with the Geelong father son out of contract and an unrestricted free agent, Collingwood should be looking to clear some cap space for him.
At 32, Hawkins fits the age profile of the Pies and as someone who has climbed to the September summit twice, the Magpies know they are looking at the real deal. It would just come with an eye-watering price tag.
