The Pies are on a roll, but the Sportsday boys say Jamie Elliott’s absence would threaten Collingwood’s finals charge.

“You could afford to maybe lose a midfielder because they’re so strong there, but not Jamie Elliott, I don’t think,” Matthew Lloyd said on Sportsday.

“Is he Collingwood’s most important player?” he asked the boys.

The key forward is the leading goal-kicker for the Pies this season (20), and is expected to spend time on the sidelines after re-injuring his troublesome ankle during Sunday’s clash against Fremantle.

“He’s given them that x-factor,” said Gerard Healy.

“You don’t need perfect delivery for Jamie Elliott.

“There was a couple of times on the weekend, they were just hack kicks out of the middle, and he read the ball better.”

The Pies will play Melbourne this Monday at the MCG.