The underperforming Pie that must stand up amid defensive injury crisis

Collingwood remain in hot contention to return to September football, however, with several defenders set to miss with injury, Champion Data has directed their attention to the influence of Dan Houston.

Despite their loss to Geelong in Round 21, the Pies are a near-lock to secure a Wildcard spot at a minimum, chasing down a top six spot that eludes them by just six points.

Facing a healthy fixture against West Coast this Sunday afternoon, games against Hawthorn and Brisbane to follow render their trip to Perth as a must-win, with the four points guaranteeing their spot in the post-season.

However, despite their four-match win streak over the Eagles, the absence of Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard, Jeremy Howe and Harry Perryman is certain to play a part this time around.

With that in mind, Champion Data’s Corey Mobilio has raised the concerns surrounding Houston’s recent performances, urging the Pies to look into his role ahead of their trip out West.

“I’ve got one player on watch – Dan Houston,” Mobilio told SEN Breakfast.

“I think we are two seasons in, and we are still waiting for a little bit of liftoff with his form.

“It’s massive, this game on Sunday – you look at the players they’ve lost behind the ball; Moore, Maynard, Howe and Perryman won’t be there.

“Jordan De Goey is a test, and Pat Lipinski won’t be there as well.

“I’ve spoken of this catchphrase – CCO, or Crisis Creating Opportunity. Is it time to experiment with Houston’s role?

“Since Round 11, he is outside the top 230 rated players in the competition. It’s actually his lowest rated 10-game stretch over his last five years.

“He’s just a bit off. You look at him since the start of last year, he is outside the top 150 rated players in the game.

“Obviously, Josh (Daicos) generates a lot of run and ball off that half back line. Whether Josh goes in at a centre bounce… or do you experiment with Houston forward of the ball, do you experiment with him at a centre bounce role?

“He is on big watch for me, Dan Houston, just in terms of how they deploy him.”

Houston and the Pies face the Eagles on Sunday at Optus Stadium, with a win locking in a spot in September for the third straight year.