COLLINGWOOD'S Tyson Goldsack says the string of injuries the Pies have suffered this season has strengthened the playing group and improved its depth.

The Pies have averaged three changes a week since round two, with players such as Ben Johnson, Heath Shaw, Chris Tarrant and Ben Reid missing patches of football.

Darren Jolly and Jarryd Blair, who Goldsack expects to face the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, were the latest casualties when they were withdrawn from Friday night's win over the Western Bulldogs.

But the defender says the changing makeup of the team so far has been a positive. 

"As a team, we've been stronger than we ever have been, as a core group," Goldsack said at the St Kilda Sea Baths on Tuesday.

"The boys who have come in, Benny Sinclair and the young blokes, and 'Keeffey' (Lachlan Keeffe) playing down back, when he's needed to step up, he's been able to, and same with Benny.

"The blokes who have come in are playing the role and they know what to do, and they're actually performing, which is very handy and healthy for a club."

Goldsack highlighted the form of Simon Buckley as a positive in covering for Johnson, who will now miss an extended period after Tuesday's shoulder reconstruction.

With the Lions up next, fresh from their 67-point defeat by Essendon, the Pies could be forgiven for opting to give key players a week off.

Goldsack said the resting tactic would not be used and expected a strong team, including Dale Thomas, who has missed three games with a hamstring worry, to travel to the Gabba.

"We've got momentum as a club, we've won the last couple of games and we can't really rest on our laurels," he said.

"We want to play every game to its full potential and try and win every game by as much as we can.

"We're not going to rest players or take Brisbane easily, they're a good team.

"They'll want to bounce back at their home ground, and lucky for us we travel pretty well so it should be a good game."

Chris Tarrant, who is overcoming a calf injury, participated in recovery on Tuesday, along with Jolly, Blair and Thomas. 

Luke Ball was also there to provide moral support three weeks on from his knee reconstruction, which Goldsack said gave the players a boost.

He also said Johnson was optimistic of a return this year.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.