The off-season brought major change at the Magpies, with five-time leading goal kicker Brody Mihocek departing for Melbourne, Mason Cox delisted and now at Fremantle, and uncertainty lingering around Bobby Hill’s return from personal leave.
Injuries to Dan McStay and Lachie Sullivan have only added to the reshuffle.
Mihocek, Hill and McStay were all among the Magpies’ top five goal kickers in 2025, combining for 85 majors, but their absence has opened the door for a new-look attack.
“It's pretty inexperienced at the moment with Dan (McStay) out - Tim (Membrey) and me are the main guys who have played and are more experienced,” Elliott said on Thursday at the team’s photo day.
“It's going to be interesting - it will be a new look forward line.”
That new look was showcased during Collingwood’s most significant match simulation of the pre-season last Friday, with recruit Jack Buller and youngsters Noah Howes and Charlie West impressing.
“We'll get guys, like (Jack Buller), ‘Westy' probably play, ‘Howesy' looks good and strong, Zac McCarthy who has just come in as well looks good, so it's a really exciting time and it will be something fresh and new.”
With the forward structure in flux, Elliott is again set to play a key leadership role after joining the club’s leadership group for the first time last season.
“I took a step last year in getting into the group and I had the leadership label and I feel like I've got more of a voice,” Elliott said.
“In the past I've felt like I don't want to speak too much and step on people's toes but I feel like I'm experienced enough and have enough knowledge to help these guys especially with the system of how we want to play.
“The more I can help them, the better.”
Coming off a career-best 60-goal campaign, Elliott signed a two-year contract extension in September.
He believes he’s well-placed to back it up in 2026, stating durability will be the key.
“I think for me the biggest thing is continuity - getting on the park,” he said.
“(Strength and conditioning coach) Jarrod Wade's really good at individualising programs so it's more (looking at) how I manage myself throughout pre-season without getting injuries, soft tissue or impact injuries.
“I'm trying to manage my body but I want to improve so it's (about) finding a really good balance with that and hopefully I can. The big thing for me is just staying on the park.
“The body's feeling good - I'm just getting a little bit more aged, but I feel powerful still, I think that's the main thing for me is if I've got my power and my explosiveness, that's the thing I feel like is my edge over opponents, especially playing forward.”
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