COLLINGWOOD should move Josh Daicos into a full-time midfield role next season and spend more time with Jordan De Goey in attack, according to Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd.

Speaking on AFL.com.au's Access, Lloyd said the likely arrival of dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale would provide a boost for the Magpies in 2027, but argued Collingwood needs to make the most of its existing talent by changing the roles of two key players.

Lloyd said Daicos had shown enough as a midfielder to warrant a permanent switch, while De Goey could be used as an explosive forward option.

"(De Goey) didn't have a great final (on Friday night), but what I did like was he was good against Brisbane the week before, so that's just what they've got to weigh up," Lloyd said.

"They'll bring (Lachie) Neale in, so it'll be Nick Daicos, Lachie Neale ... (and) I'd love to see Josh Daicos become a midfielder. And then trust that you can find some other half-back flankers, but you can't find midfielders.

"What (De Goey) did forward late, that's how he started his career, so could he go more 60-40 (and) become more of a forward?"

De Goey swung forward late in the loss to the Western Bulldogs and kicked a goal in the final term to bring the margin under a kick, but had a relatively quiet night otherwise, finishing with 15 disposals and two clearances, including just two after half-time.

Access host Damian Barrett said the 30-year-old looks to have lost some of the weapons that have made him such a dominant force over the course of 12 seasons.

"Jordan De Goey, I thought he had a really solid season but he has lost some of his explosive elements to his game," Barrett said. "He wasn't a great contributor in this one (against the Western Bulldogs)."

While Lloyd says the addition of Neale can help the Magpies next year, he is unsure whether it will be enough to push them back into premiership contention in the short term.

But he praised coach Craig McRae's ability to maximise his list, but added Collingwood's long-term trajectory remained difficult to gauge.

"He's a really good coach, he also gets the maximum out of most of his players but I honestly don't know where they're going, not sure where they're at," Lloyd said.

"Going forward, (I think) they'll finish ninth or 10th next year.

"I think Lachie Neale can maybe help you improve one or two spots, I just think they need youth. Their youth is good but they're not cream of the crop youth, so I reckon they're going to be stuck in the middle for a little while."