WITH two rounds to play in the home and away season all eyes at the top of the ladder are starting to turn to September.

Most match committees would be discussing their best 22 if available and who would be the appropriate replacements if injuries hit.

Reigning premiers Collingwood has not yet been able to settle its finals line-up due to suspension, rest and injury, but over the next few weeks I am sure we will see some fine-tuning.

The Magpies have experimented all year to not only freshen their troops but also to give opportunities to young players so they know exactly who on their list is capable of taking the next step.

Opportunities have been presented to players including Alex Fasolo, Lachlan Keeffe, John McCarthy, Luke Rounds, Ben Sinclair and Tom Young. This has been a great approach for the club, but now is the time to get the team in order for finals.

INJURY AND INSTABILITY
On Saturday night against Brisbane, Collingwood looked a skeleton of the team that will represent the club on Grand Final day, assuming the Magpies make it.

Arriving at the MCG on Saturday night I learned that Andrew Krakouer was a late withdrawal after the club had already decided to rest star backman Leon Davis. I am in total agreement with the no risk policy that the Pies are applying but with other players such as Chris Dawes, Ben Johnson, Nick Maxwell and Sharrod Wellingham also out with injury and Heath Shaw still serving suspension there are many decisions to be made.

Dawes has missed quite a bit of footy but because of size and structure he will be an automatic inclusion

The remaining six players when fit and well are definitely all good enough to vie for a position in the final 22, but the big question the Magpies need to answer is, can they take two players into finals who have missed the bulk of the last month of football?

Nick Maxwell and Heath Shaw's circumstances are entirely different with one missing through injury and the other suspension but it still makes for some fascinating discussions at the selection table.

If not for the circumstances the club would have them both as a lock, but the Magpies are playing for big stakes.

THE SMALL FORWARD CONUNDRUM
Collingwood has always been very well balanced. From afar I have marvelled at its list management and ability to cover all options for virtually every position on the ground.

The one thing that is evident with this team is that it has more than its share of mid to small forwards. It will be interesting to see if the Magpies can fit them all into their finals line-up, and if not, who misses out?

The return to form on Saturday night of Alan Didak was perfect timing but also a 'nice' headache for the Collingwood match committee. His replacement in the second half of the year, Alex Fasolo, has done nothing wrong, but the Magpies also have Jarryd Blair and Andrew Krakouer available and you would think there is only room for three of the four, as many of their other midfielders rotate through the forward line.

DEPTH OF MIDFIELD
Every club needs to have players capable of keeping the running pressure up through the middle of the ground and Collingwood is no different.

Saturday night was one of the first times Collingwood did not run out the game as we expect but there was an obvious reason. The Pies were down quite a few of their runners and although the young players compete well, they do tire.

Dayne Beams is an important member of this team for his midfield rotation. He is back in form and gives the team an extra dimension. When you consider his run and carry and you add the return of Ben Johnson and Sharrod Wellingham Collingwood bat deeper in the middle.

SEVEN DEFENDERS
When selecting your best 22 for the Pies remember that they will need cover down back. Although defenders don't rotate like the mids they will still need cover for both injury and some form of rest. Most supporters select the flashy players but the club also needs balance.

 My toughest Grand Final decisions would be:
1. A fully fit Goldsack or an underdone Maxwell?
2. I would only be able to fit in three of the four small forwards (Blair, Didak, Fasolo and Krakouer)