Collingwood is still contemplating how to rejig its forward line in the absence of the suspended Mason Cox for Saturday's clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.

The Magpies will be forced to make at least two changes to their side, with Cox to accept his one-match ban for striking Hawthorn's Daniel Howe, and forward Josh Smith to miss up to a month with a hamstring injury.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Cox would regain his place in the side once he serves his suspension, while also hinting the coaching staff would be loathe to return Darcy Moore to the forward line after just one week.

"We'll have discussions around whether we replace tall for tall or look at a different structure going up against a different opposition," Buckley said.

"If Mason was missing a month it would change the consideration for us, but without giving away much to the opposition that we're about to face, we're pretty keen to maintain a back seven as consistently as we possibly can to give them a chance to grow and evolve together.

"Having said that, like we did on the weekend, we could try to change things to get the result."

Alex Fasolo, who has overcome a shoulder injury, will need another week in the VFL before being considered for senior selection, said Buckley.



Chris Mayne performed strongly against Box Hill in the VFL on Friday afternoon.

The Pies coach nominated Chris Mayne, Jarryd Blair, Tim Broomhead and Brayden Sier as possible inclusions against the Giants.

Mayne, who has not played at senior level since round three, 2017, gathered 35 disposals in a VFL practice match against Box Hill last Friday.

The former Fremantle forward was traded to Collingwood at the end of 2016 on a four-year deal reportedly worth up to $2 million.

"He had 35 touches on the weekend, not that touches are everything," Buckley said in a joking reference to Hawk Tom Mitchell's disposal count of 54 against the Pies last Saturday.

"He had a really good impact and he had a really solid pre-season, and I think he's bounced off a pretty disappointing year last year with a first-class attitude which we know he's always had.

"He's covering the ground better; he's put himself in the frame."

Buckley said Moore was long-term option in defence for the Magpies in 2018 after training in the back half over the summer.

Moore was shifted into attack in the second half as the Magpies tried to mount a comeback in Saturday's night 34-point loss to Hawthorn.

"We think it'll have us playing our best footy this year, that's why we've planned for it, and we really don't have enough sample size to make an alternate judgment on that yet," Buckley said.



Darcy Moore has been switched into defence for season 2018.