Collingwood would have to move on multiple players to find the salary cap room for Tom Lynch

IF Collingwood wants Tom Lynch, it is going to take some smart work from its finance team with nearly 20 players out of contract. Will some be moved on? JON RALPH looks at which Magpies could be at risk.

Tom Lynch is the biggest free agent in the game. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD would have to move on multiple players to find the salary cap room if Tom Lynch wanted to join the Magpies.

Restricted free agent Lynch will this week return for Gold Coast after a week in Melbourne spending time with family.

His manager Robbie D’Orazio told the Herald Sun that Lynch had not met Melbourne clubs in that time and would not do so in the future.

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Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson said last weekend the Pies were up against the salary cap this year and next with little wriggle room.

It means Collingwood would need to move on some of the nearly 20 players it still has out of contract if Lynch picked them as his destination of choice.

He is expected to want $1 million a year to move south, although many close to him are adamant he will not ask for crazy figures near $1.5 million a year.

Tom Lynch is the biggest free agent in the game. Picture: AAP Images

Darcy Moore has been linked to Sydney and Jordan De Goey has seven clubs interested but both have told Collingwood they are keen to stay.

Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliott will both wait until they are back into the senior team to start contract negotiations.

Elliott, 25, has played 17 of the past 54 games at Collingwood and at 25 would ideally have been in the form to win the most lucrative contract of his career.

Fasolo is well down the forward line pecking order and as a free agent would not only clear cap space but get the Pies a compensation pick if the left for another club.

Matt Scharenberg and Josh Thomas are in early talks after outstanding seasons so far, set to be rewarded for career-best seasons.

Anderson said before last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs the club’s cap space was limited.

“Like all clubs you are right near the capacity of 100 per cent. Most clubs are in that position so we are no different to that,’’ he said.

“Your list management is that skill of managing that right across the next few weeks and ensuring you are keeping the right players and working through that.”

Tyson Goldsack, Kale Kirby, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Tom Langdon, Tim Broomhead, Lynden Dunn, Josh Daicos and James Aish are also out of contract.

Will Alex Fasolo be at the Magpies in 2019? Picture: Getty Images

Jarryd Blair, Levi Greenwood, Callum Brown, Adam Oxley, Josh Smith and Sam McLarty round out that list.

Lynch is yet to make an official decision and is in no rush despite coach Stuart Dew’s request to know sooner than later this week.

“Tom is heavily invested in the footy club. We’d love to know as soon as possible, for all parties involved. Obviously that’d be a great scenario and we’d love him to stay,” he told AFL360 on Wednesday.

But if Gold Coast doesn’t make the finals he has five weeks to meet clubs and consider his options before the free agency period.

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Originally published as Collingwood would have to move on multiple players to find the salary cap room for Tom Lynch