Lance Franklin one week, Tom Hawkins the next?

That's the challenge likely to be thrown at the feet of 22-year-old Collingwood defender Jack Frost when his side takes on Geelong at the MCG this Saturday night.

Frost kept Franklin to just two goals in the Magpies' tenacious 20-point win last weekend, tailing the Sydney Swans forward all over ANZ Stadium.

The prospect of lining up on two of the competition's premier forwards in successive weeks does not faze Frost, notwithstanding the fact he is heading into just his fifth game at AFL level this week.

"It's a great challenge. I love the challenge. I love playing against these players," Frost told AFL Media.

Coach Nathan Buckley was not afraid to throw the Magpies youngster in the deep end against the Swans. With Ben Reid (calf) and Nathan Brown (shoulder) out, he has little choice but to again turn to Frost against Hawkins' Cats.

Lachlan Keeffe is likely to return and provide support in the back half, but the job of restricting Hawkins lies largely with Frost.

"Bucks gives me the challenges and I suppose he has the trust in me, and so far I've been able to hold up my own," he said.

When Frost studies footage of Hawkins with defensive coach Ben Hart at training on Thursday, the challenge of containing a mobile forward like Franklin, to contending with the power of Hawkins will be a major focus.

"He's obviously a massive unit, and I'm not, so that's definitely a bit of a disadvantage," Frost said.

"But I've just got to try to use my athleticism in the contest and jump up over the top of him."

Buckley has faith that the inexperienced backman can cement his place in the Magpies side as he continues his steady progression.  "Frosty's got great athleticism, he's really strong and he's got great closing speed," Buckley said.

"He's played four games of footy at AFL level. So he's got a lot of learning to do, a lot of development to undertake.

"But above all, his attitude and his effort have been first class and he'll give himself every chance if he keeps doing that."

Until the weekend, little was known of the determined Magpies defender.

During our interview at the Westpac Centre on Tuesday, Magpies President Eddie McGuire gave Frost a supportive slap on the back as he passed by.

The president also sent Frost a text message congratulating him for his job minding Franklin following the club's win.

However, people are starting to notice him now.

"I don't think people know who I am. I've flown under the radar for a long time now," Frost said.

"There are a lot of things that are very surreal to me. I don't see myself as a big name, I just see myself as someone from a little quiet neighbourhood who is just playing football."