Essendon legends Matthew Lloyd and James Hird have identified Collingwood’s lack of scoring as the root of their recent struggles. The Magpies have faced a downturn in form, losing five out of their last six matches, which has jeopardised their position in the top four. Their scoring during these defeats has been alarmingly low, with totals of 56, 46, 65, 78, and 63 points.
Lloyd attributes much of this offensive decline to the absence of small forward Bobby Hill, who has been sidelined due to personal issues and training setbacks. Since Hill’s last appearance in Round 15, Collingwood has performed poorly, prompting concerns that they might not see him on the field again this season. Lloyd emphasised Hill’s importance, highlighting that his presence gives the team an essential spark.
Hird echoed these sentiments, noting the struggles of the Pies’ key forward trio—Brody Mihocek, Dan McStay, and Tim Membrey. He believes a shake-up is necessary and suggested that Jordan De Goey should be moved to full forward to invigorate the attacking line. Hird pointed out that Collingwood’s key forwards have been ineffective in marking the ball, which hampers their offensive capabilities. He noted that Jamie Elliott, despite being the team’s top goal kicker, is not sufficient to remedy the situation alone.
To improve their forward efficiency, Hird called for De Goey to take on a more pronounced forward role, leveraging his speed and strength in one-on-one situations. He stressed the lack of options for key forwards and suggested that incorporating players like Mason Cox could offer a more predictable aerial presence, alongside the creative impact of Hill.
Collingwood’s poor recent form raises critical questions about their forward structure as they head into the closing stages of the season, with both Lloyd and Hird advocating for urgent changes to reinvigorate the team’s scoring prowess.