COLLINGWOOD forward Will Hoskin-Elliott says striking a better balance between his football and personal lives has helped fuel his strong start to 2018.

Hoskin-Elliott kicked a career-high six goals against Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday and, with 23 majors after 11 rounds, is on track to smash his previous-best season tally of 26, set in 2014 when he was at Greater Western Sydney.

At 186cm, Hoskin-Elliott is equally dangerous in the air – he took eight marks against the Dockers, two of them contested – and at ground level, where he is one of the Magpies' quickest players.

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Fremantle coach Ross Lyon also praised his work rate after Sunday's game, saying it was something his younger players should aspire to.

Those traits have helped make Hoskin-Elliott an important member of Collingwood's attack since he crossed from the Giants in the 2016 trade period in exchange for a future second-round pick.

Hoskin-Elliott kicked 42 goals in 52 games for the Giants after being taken with pick No.4 in 2011's NAB AFL Draft, with a string of injuries disrupting his development at the expansion club.

However, he has not missed a game since arriving at the Holden Centre and is starting to live up to the promise he showed as a junior.

Hoskin-Elliott told AFL.com.au moving home to Victoria had been a key factor in his excellent recent form, along with his improved run of health.

"I think just having an outside life, having a bit of balance between footy and home, has obviously helped me hugely," Hoskin-Elliott said.

Move over Undertaker: the streak continues!



Will Hoskin-Elliott continues his run of a goal in every game this season.#AFLPiesFreo pic.twitter.com/TYztxvL4Q7 — AFL (@AFL) June 3, 2018

"Being able to be out there for pre-season for two seasons in a row, whereas at the Giants I missed a lot and I was always injured, (has also been a factor).

"So just the balance between footy and life and just (completing) the pre-season I think that's what's helped me."

Hoskin-Elliott and Melbourne spearhead Jesse Hogan are the only remaining players in the competition who have kicked a goal in every game this season.

Hoskin-Elliott's goal streak actually sits at 14 consecutive games, as he kicked a goal in each of the Magpies' final three games last year.

The 24-year-old downplayed his career-best haul against the Dockers – "The forward line is working really well, I was just the lucky name to get called out tonight" – and was similarly modest about his ability to keep kicking goals.

"I'm just playing my role for the team. Kicking goals every week is obviously helping that and I just love being out there with the boys," he said.

"I don't go out there just aiming to kick goals, it's just more about playing my role for the team and helping the boys.

"But kicking goals is always fun and I love doing it."

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