Logan McDonald contract: AFL’s move to allow clubs to trade draft picks two years in advance to aid Collingwood interest

The AFL is set to usher in a huge change which will give Collingwood’s pursuit of one of the league’s best young forwards a huge boost.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 22: Logan McDonald of the Swans celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 15 AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Sydney Swans at ENGIE Stadium, on June 22, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Collingwood is seriously interested in leveraging key forward Logan McDonald out of Sydney.

The Magpies are among a host of clubs keeping tabs on McDonald’s contract negotiations with the Swans and have prioritised securing a young key forward.

Securing McDonald would ease the burden on the club’s injury-plagued forward line, which has been exposed in multiple games this season.

With Dan McStay coming off an ACL injury, Mason Cox now 33 and Brody Mihocek 31 the West Australian-born goalkicker would be the perfect addition.

The Swans’ salary cap is tight but they remain confident of re-signing McDonald, who has booted 77 goals in 58 matches.

Magpies president Jeff Browne told the Herald Sun earlier this year the club would aggressively target rival stars.

Logan McDonaldcelebrates after kicking a goal during the round 15 game against Greater Western Sydney. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/Getty Images.

“We don’t intend to go to the bottom of the ladder, so we can never really rely on the draft,” Browne said.

“We have got to trade, like we did last year with those four players (Mitchell, McStay, Hill and Frampton) and then we pick up Oleg Markov, and this year we get Lachie Schultz.

“We have to trade to improve our side. For successful clubs who don’t want to drop down to the bottom, the draft doesn’t really work for them.”

The Magpies do not hold a first-round pick in this year’s draft owing to their trade for ex-Docker Lachie Schultz last year.

But the AFL is expected to allow clubs to trade draft picks two years in advance for the first time.

If that is brought in for this year’s trade period, which seems likely, then the Magpies would have their full suite of 2025 and 2026 draft picks available to satisfy a trade.

McDonald, 22, grew up a Collingwood supporter. While McDonald is from WA, he grew up in Dunsborough – which is 250km south of Perth.

The Swans’ list management team has done an excellent job re-signing their star players this season with Errol Gulden, Oliver Florent and Will Hayward all recommitting.

The Swans promoted data expert Chris Keane this year and the highly-regarded operator is expected to run the club’s list management team long-term.

Originally published as Logan McDonald contract: AFL’s move to allow clubs to trade draft picks two years in advance to aid Collingwood interest