Collingwood list analysis: Free agents, out-of-contract stars and trade targets for the Pies
With Brodie Grundy’s absence, Darcy Cameron has emerged as a star at the Pies. Will the young ruckman want to go back to second banana now he’s had a taste of being No.1?
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A mega deal was on the horizon for the star Magpie, who is one of the biggest names in this year’s free agency market.
That was before his Bali misstep, and now everything has changed in the blink of an eye.
De Goey has averaged a career-best 21.5 disposals and booted 12 goals through 11 games so far his season, but his latest off-field misstep will probably result in the market cooling for the explosive matchwinner.
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The Magpies may now be able to keep De Goey for a lot less, courtesy of what Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel labelled the “boofhead tax” — and the club has already pulled its initial offer off the table. It was to be up to four years, with two guaranteed.
Behind locked doors, Magpie list bosses may even be silently celebrating De Goey’s latest nightclub mishap.
Money’s already tight after having to fork out big dollar deals to several other stars, and let’s not mention ruckman Brodie Grundy’s never-ending contract.
De Goey is the big piece of their list management puzzle, and what he does will determine how much cash the Magpies has to splash around on their other long list of uncontracted players.
Ironically, The Magpies’ surprise rise up the ladder this year is bad news when it comes to De Goey.
With every win, the potential free agency compensation for De Goey goes down should be leave the Magpies’ nest.
The 8-5 Magpies’ current ladder position of eighth after round 13 would result only in draft pick No. 12 under the AFL’s compensation rules.
If it was last year, the then 17th placed Magpies would have won pick No.3 for the loss of De Goey.
The flip side is the loss of De Goey would mean there would be more opportunity to go to the market.
The Magpies are one of a number of clubs linked to Lions forward Daniel McStay, who would provide great support to Brody Mihocek.
It’ll also be interesting to see whether or not any clubs come at free agents Jamie Elliott and Mason Cox.
The Magpies will want to keep Elliott, while Cox’s recent form could see him win a new contract just when it appeared his AFL career might be over.
Big man Darcy Cameron is also in talks for a new deal.
Young forward Oliver Henry is another the Magpies would be keen to lock back up before long.
Who’s out of contract?
Ash Johnson, Caleb Poulter, Callum Brown, Darcy Cameron, Finlay Macrae, Isaac Chugg, Jack Madgen, Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Josh Carmichael, Josh Daicos, Liam McMahon, Mason Cox, Nathan Murphy, Oliver Henry, Steele Sidebottom, Tom Wilson, Trent Bianco, Tyler Brown, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Will Kelly
Who’s eligible for free agency?
Jordan De Goey (restricted free agent), Mason Cox (restricted free agent), Jamie Elliott (unrestricted free agent), Steele Sidebottom (unrestricted free agent)
Who they should chase
Daniel McStay (Brisbane)
The Magpies have needed a big power forward for years. They narrowly missed out on former Gold Coast skipper Tom Lynch at the end of 2018, when the spearhead selected Richmond over the team he supported as a child. The Magpies have been linked to Victorian free agent McStay, who would be the perfect forward partner for the very valuable Brody Mihocek.
Griffin Logue (Fremantle)
How star Magpie Darcy Moore would love some support down back. He does have that, although the loss of Jordan Roughead means Moore has been charged with taking on the opposition’s best key forward every week. He’s had to be a lockdown defender, whereas the acquisition of a Logue type could allow him more space and time to intercept and generate run out of the backline.
Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
This is a long shot, at least for now. Larkey is under contract until 2024, when he’ll be a restricted free agent, but who wants to be at North Melbourne right now? Collingwood would have to cough up a fair bit, but Larkey might be tempted by a fresh start. The Pies would love him in their forward line. Worth a nibble?
Players other clubs could poach
Jordan De Goey
He’s the big one. He has a lot of baggage, but is he worth the risk? Has been consistent in his role rotating between the centre square and the forward line, and his weekly high number of score involvements would be tantalising to many clubs.
Darcy Cameron
Has adjusted to his new role as primary ruckman in the absence of Brodie Grundy with aplomb. So much so that the Magpies have commenced contract talks with Cameron, but they could have some competition from rival clubs. Will he really want to go back to being second banana to Grundy now that he’s had a taste of being the ruck top dog?
Jamie Elliott
We all know about his injury issues, but we also know that his best is outstanding. We haven’t seen it this year except only on a few occasions, but his forward-line presence has still been vital. An unrestricted free agent, Elliott would be tempting for a club in the premiership window that needs a forward line injection.
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Originally published as Collingwood list analysis: Free agents, out-of-contract stars and trade targets for the Pies
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