Collingwood needs another six-win season in 2022 to accumulate more high draft picks as they look to rebuild under new coach Craig McRae, according to David King.
The Magpies won six games this year and will embark on a new era under McRae, who will be supported by highly-rated assistant coaches Justin Leppitsch and Brendon Bolton.
Collingwood is set to land gun father-son prospect Nick Daicos in this year’s National Draft after blooding a competition-high nine debutants in 2021.
But King also pointed out a possible “elephant in the room” for the Magpies, believing their list is good enough to win their fair share of games next season.
“He (McRae) can’t really lose, but I fear the elephant in the room for the Pies is their list is still good enough to win a lot of home and away games,” King told SEN Drive.
“I know last year they didn’t win a heap of games, particularly in the back half (of the season).
“They won six games last year, they probably need to have a six-win season next year as well, they need good selections in the draft.
“I know people don’t like hearing that, but you can’t go down for one year and spike back up, or down for two and spike back up.
“You have to get a glut of top 30 picks over a three-to-four-year window to give yourself a chance four years later.”
McRae signed a three-year deal to become Collingwood’s new senior coach in September.
Star Magpies trio Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard are all coming out of contract and enter free agency next year.