Pies’ tall order against Blues

COLLINGWOOD looks set to redeploy Mason Cox and Ben Reid in a twin-tower forward set up in Friday’s must-win clash against Carlton.

Both clubs are looking for their first win of the season and the Blues have had the upper hand on the Magpies, winning two of their past three matches.

Collingwood has lost Darcy Moore (hamstring) and Tim Broomhead (broken leg) from the attack that pushed Greater Western Sydney last weekend.

Moore spent the summer training as a defender but was sent back into attack without another recognised key forward target against the Giants on Saturday.

Moore’s three-to-four-week absence opens up a spot at full forward for Reid to return, though the swingman will have to prove his fitness on the training track this week.

Reid was a late withdrawal on Saturday with a hip problem. The Magpies are being cautious with the prized key position player considering his history of soft-tissue issues.

Cox also has plenty to prove after a poor performance in the Round 1 loss to Hawthorn.

Cox’s return may also help relieve captain Scott Pendlebury from the ruck duties after spending time in the ruck against the Giants.

Backmen Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe and Matthew Scharenberg will anchor a mobilelooking defence against Blues’ big men Levi Casboult and Charlie Curnow.

Mature-age VFL pick-up Brody Mihocek and Sam McLarty are on standby to beef up the backline if coach Nathan Buckley wants a taller defensive set-up.