James Rowbottom takes call from Craig McRae as Pies chase mids, Sydney tries to put together an offer for Charlie Curnow
As Sydney and Geelong work on packages that might pry Charlie Curnow out of Carlton, Collingwood is making bold moves of its own as Craig McRae gets on the phone.
Sydney’s tackle machine James Rowbottom has no interest in a move away from the Harbour City despite a phone conversation with Collingwood premiership coach Craig McRae.
As Sydney attempts to put together a trade package for Charlie Curnow, Rowbottom has been mentioned in trade discussions along with marking forward Will Hayward and onballer Ollie Florent.
Sydney wingman Florent has been told to assess his options only a year after signing a five-season contract through to 2029.
Clubs believe Sydney would be keen to secure a future second-rounder for Florent, which might appeal to Carlton as it secures points for 2026 father-son Cody Walker.
But the Swans are yet to put a trade package to Carlton on Curnow.
Geelong has not given up hope of either the Rowan Marshall or Curnow deals occurring before Wednesday but acknowledges St Kilda or Carlton would have to have a change of heart.
St Kilda seemed open to a deal for Marshall on Monday last week but by Thursday was making clear coach Ross Lyon wanted to keep him.
With Marshall’s contract front ended given the club’s huge salary cap room there is little need to move him because of cap considerations.
St Kilda’s Graeme Allen said last week the club had battled to pay the AFL legal minimum of 95 per cent of the salary cap this year even for front ending deals.
Geelong believes its offer of three first round picks is a fair deal because it cannot guarantee its continued level of success.
Sydney played in a Grand Final last year but has pick 9 this year after on field struggles.
But Geelong has had such consistent success that Carlton would believe if it took three first rounders from the Cats it would not pick in the top 20 of either of those three drafts in exchange for a generational player.
Geelong is steadfast that it will not include a player in the deal for Curnow.
Rowbottom is keen to stay at Sydney even after a change in role that saw his midfield time diminishes, still finishing seventh in the club’s best-and-fairest.
He took the call from McRae as the Pies attempt to secure more midfield options but is likely to make clear to the Swans that he will continue at the club under his own contract to 2029.
Under AFL rules clubs cannot force players to be traded against their own will.
Collingwood is also assessing North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin but is not keen to pay his full salary or hand over an early first-round pick for the 27-year-old.
The Roos would want a player for player swap or an early first-round pick, aware Collingwood’s 2026 and 2027 first-rounders will likely come in the 20s.
Hayward is getting his head around whether he would be prepared to move if included in a deal, with good mates in Victoria despite growing up in South Australia.
He knocked back the Blues interest last year to sign his free agency deal but a year on might reconsider his football future.
Blues coach Michael Voss is a big fan of Hayward and while he is no key forward like Curnow he might appeal to Carlton given their need for more goal power as well as a suite of elite picks.
Sydney would have to involve both their current and future first-round pick in some way to turn Carlton’s heads.
Originally published as James Rowbottom takes call from Craig McRae as Pies chase mids, Sydney tries to put together an offer for Charlie Curnow
