LACHIE Keeffe has not played for Collingwood since 2014, but coach Nathan Buckley might be missing the tall defender more than he had imagined.
The versatile defender's career was put on hold after he and teammate Josh Thomas accepted two-year WADA-imposed suspensions midway through 2015 for testing positive to banned substance Clenbuterol.
Keeffe, delisted then redrafted by the Magpies as a rookie at the end of last year as he serves the final year of his ban, is living in Queensland and training four times a week. He and Thomas also visit a personal trainer twice a week, and Keeffe is completing a business management course at university and working part-time at his father's business.
With the Magpies seemingly struggling to adapt to an ultra-defined team-defence this year, Keeffe's absence has been exacerbated by the form struggles of Nathan Brown and Jack Frost.
Keeffe, 25, was starting to find his way at AFL level, playing 18 games in 2014 before his suspension for the 2015 and 2016 seasons kicked in. He figured to feature in Collingwood's best 22 and his versatility was an asset.
At 204cm he showed he could also pinch-hit in the ruck or play up forward, as Buckley told AFL.com.au prior to the 2015 season.
However, Keeffe's suspension, for dabbling with illicit drugs laced with Clenbuterol at a music festival in February last year, forced the Pies into a defensive reshuffle.
Ben Reid's absence throughout 2015 (he played just five games) further dented the Pies' defensive depth and they finished 12th with 10 wins.
Collingwood's defensive woes have continued this season – it has allowed opposition sides the fourth-most points of any side in the competition (an average of 105.1).
Experienced defender Brown has struggled for form, while Reid has played six games but will miss Saturday night's clash against the Brisbane Lions with a shoulder injury. Promising mid-sized defender Jonathon Marsh had an impressive pre-season but has not played this season due to ongoing hamstring problems.
In 2014, Keeffe made a significant difference to the Magpies' lineup. In the 18 games he played, Collingwood allowed 82.6 points per game and won nine of those contests.
Interestingly, in the three games Keeffe was left in the VFL, the Pies conceded 97.3 points per game and lost two of those matches.
A deeper look at the numbers highlights the positive trajectory Keeffe's career was heading in and the way he fitted snugly into Buckley's side.
From 2012-14, Keeffe defended in 92 one-on-one contests and lost just 18.5 per cent of the time. That ranked him 10th in the competition of the top-100 defenders for contests defended, according to Champion Data.
In 36 matches across three seasons, Keeffe never conceded more than three goals to any opponent.
Nathan Buckley must be wishing he could call on Lachie Keeffe. Picture: AFL Media
Collingwood's back six has been a revolving door in 2016 with injuries and form issues biting hard.
None of the 11 defenders Collingwood has used this season has played every match. Ladder-leading North Melbourne can count five of its permanent defenders in every game.
Keeffe has averaged a tick under 12 disposals per game. Winning the ball is not his forte; rather, he is a valuable player who can perform defensive shut-down jobs – something Collingwood has sorely lacked this year.
Collingwood has used an AFL-high 36 players in 2016, three more than any other team.
"We would have liked more continuity but that's going to happen throughout the year, your depth is going to be exposed to injuries or form," Buckley said recently.
Having the Queenslander available to play in front of his home crowd at the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night would certainly have eliminated one of the existing problems the Magpies coach is facing.
LACHIE KEEFFE FACT FILE
Only season he was a regular was 2014 when he played 18 games.
2014 POINTS AGAINST with him: 82.6
2014 POINTS AGAINST without him: 97.3
2012-14 ONE-ON-ONES
In these three seasons he defended 92 one-on-one contests and lost just 18.5% - ranked 10th out of the top 100 defenders for contests defended.
He played 36 games across these three seasons
GOAL CONCEDED TOTAL
0 goals: 11
1 goal: 12
2 goals: 9
3 goals: 3
He never conceded more than three goals to any of his opponents.
