Will Kelly, son of former Pie Craig, firming as high draft pick as Collingwood waits on Darcy Moore

AS COLLINGWOOD waits on Darcy Moore’s contract some exciting draft talents — including another potential father-son — may offset his potential move. JON RALPH on the Pies’ list questions.

Darcy Moore could yet join Lance Franklin at Sydney. Pic: AAP

COLLINGWOOD could be about to draft its long-term replacement for Darcy Moore as Craig Kelly’s son Will continues to impress as an athletic centre half back.

Kelly and Next Generation Academy defender Isaac Quaynor will represent a superb draft haul regardless of Moore’s decision on whether to accept a lucrative Sydney offer.

Quaynor is of Ghanaian heritage so is eligible through their Oakleigh NGA zone and has in recent weeks added brilliant midfield play to a defensive make-up.

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Last year he shut down brilliant SA draft prospect Izak Rankin in a representative game the day before the AFL Grand Final and is at home as a defensive intercept marker playing on key talls.

Isaac Quaynor competes with Levi Greenwood at Collingwood training late last year. Pic: Michael Klein

Collingwood has had a Pies contract in front of Moore since January but seven months later it remains unsigned, despite manager Liam Pickering’s confidence he will stay.

With his continual hamstring issues he and the Pies have been frustrated he has been unable to stay on the park for any length of time.

Initially rebuffed when his management requested an increased deal in exchange for a contract extension after his breakout second season, this was to be his massive contract at the Pies.

But Collingwood would be negligent in offering him vast sums given he has been able to play nine games this year.

The Pies would be far from shocked if he eventually requested a trade to a suitor like Sydney.

Kelly is rated as high as pick 20 in some early phantom drafts, while 182cm defender Quaynor was ranked No. 9 in the AFL website’s most recent draft board.

The Pies have their first-round pick (currently selection 13), have given their second-rounder to Sydney (currently 31), but have their own third-rounder (49) and Sydney’s third-rounder (currently 47).

Quaynor in action for Oakleigh last year. Pic: Andy Brownbill

Will Darcy Moore stay a Pie? Pic: Getty Images

AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said Quaynor continued to add versatility and midfield strength to his game with Kelly much more than a dour defender.

“As a player we have seen him as the guy who played on Rankin the day before last year’s Grand Final and he can play on the small very smart forwards or the taller guys with a natural leap and that intercept marking.

“Then the last fortnight he has played midfield and I saw him in Colac in atrocious conditions and I came back and said to (AFL Academy coach) Luke Power there were two midfield stars that day and they were (No.1 contender) Sam Walsh and Isaac Quaynor. Just his cleanness in shocking conditions and ferocious attack on the ball, he didn’t fumble and made great decisions.

“Kelly has grown in confidence. He got better and better as the championships went on. He has athletic ability, he is reading the play well with his intercept ability and looks a smart player. The way he unfolded at nationals he took all before him in games and makes great choices a to when to intercept mark and when to spoil.”

Collingwood will clearly ramp up its bid for Gold Coast’s Steven May if it becomes likely Moore is considering leaving for a rival club.

The Pies have done a superb job signing Jordan De Goey, Matt Scharenberg, Ben Reid, Josh Thomas, and Callum and Tyler Brown.

But deals for Alex Fasolo, Jamie Elliott and Moore are the next priority as they assess whether they have cap space for Suns forward Tom Lynch as well as May.

May has been more durable than Moore but is still yet to play 20 games in a season in the past six years given suspension and injury.

The Pies want Tom Lynch. Pic: AAP

PIE IN THE SKY

Key Collingwood list management questions:

TOM LYNCH

The Pies are still seen to be in the mix for Tom Lynch, whose family support Collingwood, but are fearful of Hawthorn’s sizeable offer and Richmond’s long-term interest in him.

STEVEN MAY

Could slot in as a mature-aged full back but is on a sizeable contract and the Suns would want more than a first-rounder for May

DARCY MOORE

The 22-year-old’s best is superb as a marking defender but has become injury prone and is yet to sign a deal offered to him in January. Would they let him go if they could get May?

ISAAC QUAYNOR

Next Generation Academy kid from Oakleigh who has added midfield quality to his resume in the past weeks, but is also a versatile defender who can play on the small forwards or medium-sized talls given his athleticism.

WILL KELLY

The son of premiership star Craig Kelly could be a top-20 pick as a key back and they can’t pass him up given his brother Jake has become a reliable tall defender for the Crows.

JAMIE ELLIOTT

Will need hamstring surgery this week and is out of contract but at his best is one of the most exciting forwards in the comp, making it impossible to price his contract worth after a year wrecked by injury.

ALEX FASOLO

The free agent has played only one game in the seniors this year because of form and injury but last year had suitors including West Coast.

Alex Fasolo has endured ah interrupted couple of seasons. Pic: AAP

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