EXCLUSIVE: The 'exotic' team change Eddie McGuire wants to see 'vanilla' Collingwood make

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire wants to see the Pies change things up forward of the ball heading into finals, labelling them 'beige and vanilla'.

The Magpies have averaged just 67 points per game since round 18 and they have fallen from 10 points clear first on the ladder to now a 50-50 shot to make the top four.

They'll need to beat Melbourne and hope other results go their way in round 24 to secure a double chance.

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The Magpies' forward trio of Dan McStay, Tim Membrey and Brody Mihocek have had minimal impact in recent weeks and McGuire wants to see Collingwood change up their forward mix, and potentially bring in a wildcard like Mason Cox.

"I'm back in on Collingwood after last week. We went over there to Adelaide in front of the most passionate crowd, the biggest crowd in their history (other than Showdowns), and beat them by three goals ... if you adjust for the rip offs that happened," McGuire joked on Nine's Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

"No no, I think the Pies are good. More than ever they need Jeremy Howe. Jeremy Howe is such a major part for our team.

"I still would likely to see Coxy [Mason Cox], just to change it up. I think we need one exotic player in there. We're very beige and vanilla at the moment.

"Bobby Hill is that player, but I'm not holding my breath on him coming back."

Howe remains a chance to return to face his old side Melbourne, after suffering a concussion in round 22.

Cox, 34, has played eight games for the Magpies this season, kicking just the two goals.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, was unlikely to return this season, but the door remains ajar.

"As I continue to say, it's a week-by-week, day-by-day thing with Bobby, just to catch up with him on a social level, just to check in (and) care for him," he said.

"There's two things I always live by: There's high performance and there's love and care. I have sort of left the high performance for now and just making sure the young lad is OK.

"Time is running out in the season and maybe the high performance might be a bit far at the moment – let's just take it off the table for now and hopefully he can get back in the club and be happy and we'll see where we're at from there.

"I said to him, 'how do you want me to answer that (whether he'll return this year)?' and he said, 'please just leave a little bit of hope there for me', but he's well aware that time is running out."

Hill has been dealing with personal issues and has barely played at AFL or VFL level in the last third of the season.