The 2010 premiers have eight players from that team still to come back from injury, including Darren Jolly, Chris Dawes and Alan Didak.
Midfielder Luke Ball said their looming return would serve as incentive for the players occupying their spots to elevate their games.
"It was good a few guys were able to get their chance; that is the only way they can improve by keeping on playing," Ball said.
One such player is Lachlan Keeffe, who kicked three goals and had 11 touches in the Magpies' 54-point win over Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
"I thought he took a really good step tonight. I am not sure how many of those eight guys are going to be available next week, but if they are they are going to find it hard to bash back into the side," Ball said.
The former St Kilda player does not have to worry too much about his own place in the side - he had 27 touches, six marks and a team-high six hard-ball gets, to be among the Magpies' best against the Suns.
However, he said there were still elements of the Magpies' game that needed tuning, an ominous statement given Collingwood has won its past four matches by an average of 57 points.
"There is always lots we need to work on. I think the second quarter (against the Suns) was really good - it was the way we wanted to play - but the second half was too much of a shootout," Ball said.
"That was the main thing. Our ball use was down. We stuffed around with the footy too much and that is an area we need to sharpen up moving forward next week to the Bombers.
"You always want to build toward the end of the season and play your best footy in late August and September, and our ball use is always something we can improve."
