Collingwood are experiencing an injury crisis – probably the most serious at any AFL club this season – and victories are becoming harder and harder to achieve for a team at one point considered certain for a top four finish.

At the same time, Gold Coast are close to full strength and went oh-so-close to ending their losing streak after a narrow defeat to in-form Essendon at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

The Magpies and Suns meet in what is suddenly a captivating clash at the MCG next Sunday. For Collingwood, a loss to the lowly Suns is a daunting, but perhaps realistic, prospect.

On The Age Real Footy Podcast this week, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Greg Baum ponder that very question: is this the week for Gold Coast?