As both the players and their coaches continue their strides in season 2021, distinctive groups have broken out throughout the race.

Some, like the Bulldogs and Demons, have dashed from the starter's gun, with the desire to create lightyears between themselves and the pack.

Sadly for others, they are barely attached to the peloton anymore.

Whether first, second, third or 18th along the road to the last Saturday in September, every side and their side coaching team still have question marks over their head.

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Collingwood

Is this their Grand Final?

At 1-4 after five weeks and with an injury list as long as an Amazonian anaconda, cynics are already suggesting that Sunday afternoon's Anzac Day clash at the MCG is Collingwood's Grand Final for this year.

With a one in five chance of making the finals this year, the odds also suggest that this weekend's 85,000 strong crowd is likely to be the biggest Nathan Buckley's boys perform for this season.

The narrative in the past 6-12 months is that Collingwood have been rudderless both on and off the field, and for a club whose bad deeds and distress brings delight to many others, there have been folks far and wide lining up to lay the boot in.

Still, with a month ahead that includes no teams that made the eight last year โ€“ Essendon, Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Sydney โ€“ if the Woodsman can get the ball rolling in Round 6, then the lenses in many punters' glasses are going to be appearing rosier by the end of May.

With names like Adams, De Goey, Elliott and Howe sidelined, even if the Magpies miss out on the four-points this weekend, I for one won't be pushing them off the cliffs edge.

However, for a club that consistently announces they are the biggest in the land, yet have won just a pair of flags in the last six decades, no bones can be made about the fact that they are currently on a crumbling precipice.

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