Collingwood are taking a glass-half-full approach to their near misses, entering the second half of the AFL season bullish about their finals prospects.
The Magpies continue to be linked with moves for out-of-contract stars Zak Butters and Lachie Neale, whose playing futures at Port Adelaide and Brisbane respectively are up in the air.
But Pies gun Josh Daicos insists his teammates' immediate focus is on turning around a campaign that hasn't quite gone to plan so far.
Four losses by single-figure margins, plus a draw with Hawthorn, have left Collingwood (5-7-1) in 13th place following their mid-season bye.
A clash with Butters' Power at the MCG on Saturday night presents a chance for the Magpies to kick-start their finals push.
