Kane Cornes has criticised Collingwood's midfield depth after the club were handed their second loss of the season by a fast finishing Brisbane outfit on Thursday night.
The loss, which saw the Pies drop to 11th on the ladder after three rounds, has fuelled commentary that the club made the wrong decision in trading Adam Treloar during the off season.
Speaking on Channel Nine's Footy Classified on Monday Night, Cornes put Collingwood's midfield under the microscope.
"They're a midfielder short. Perhaps two" Cornes said on Channel Nine's Footy Classified.
"When you look at Sier going through there, Mayne going through there … That is not in line with the best midfields in the competition."
Cornes also suggested that the Pies could have moved on Jordan De Goey - who re-signed with the club on a two-year deal - instead of Treloar.
"Jordan De Goey plays a good game every month" Cornes said.
"I think you could have got more for De Goey and the impact that Treloar has compared to De Goey is greater."
Treloar has averaged 23.3 disposals in his first three games at the Bulldogs, compared to De Goey's 16.7.
Appearing alongside Cornes on Footy Classified on Monday night, Geelong coach Chris Scott weighed into the debate surrounding Treloar.
"Any team would be missing him" Scott said.
"These things are hard to do. There's no clear path.
"I think the old paradigm of you're either trading for the now or drafting for the future, it changed a long time ago and free agency helped with that.
"Collingwood I don't think gave Treloar up by choice … you're kind of dammed if you do, dammed if you don't with these things"
Collingwood will look to bounce back in their Round 4 clash against the undermanned Giants, while Treloar and the top-of-the-table-Bulldogs face the Lions in Ballarat.