Magpies ponder high strategy

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

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

Collingwood has lost Darcy Moore ( hamstring) and Tim Broomhead ( broken leg) from the attack which 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- fourweek absence opens up a spot at full forward for Reid to return, although the swingman will have to prove his fitness on the training track this week.

Reid was a late withdrawal from the team on Saturday with a hip problem.

The Magpies are 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 mobile- looking defence against Blues’ big men Levi Casboult and Charlie Curnow.

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

Mihocek and McLarty were emergencies at the weekend.