How should Collingwood attack a mid-season trade and draft period if it was happening this year?
NO club has had a tougher injury run than Collingwood. But rather than watch as their flag dream gets harder and harder, what would the Magpies do if they could fix these issues now? Check out our mid-season trade guide.
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IS your club one move away from a premiership?
The days of having to wait until the end of the season to add that missing piece are numbered.
Mid-season trade and draft periods are coming.
In anticipation for what will be the biggest change in recent AFL history, we are analysing how key clubs should attack a 2018 exchange period, if it was happening right now.
From the deals that could catapult them up the ladder to the players who could be shipped out, here is your ultimate guide for Collingwood.
WHAT DEALS WOULD YOU MAKE? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS
TRADE HQ: WHAT DEALS WILL THE MAGPIES DO?
MALTHOUSE: THE TORMENT OF MISSING OUT
SIDEBOTTOM: CAN STAR PIE GET TO 400 GAMES?
How should the Magpies attack a mid-season trade period?
The original question for the Magpies was, can they make the finals? Then it morphed into, can they make the top four? Now it is, can they win the premiership?
Collingwood is so close to an unexpected flag, they should be going all in to try and pinch one this year.
They can certainly make a splash and have plenty of trade assets to put together an enticing package.
The club has both its 2018 and 2019 first round draft picks in the bank. But would they part with either of them to fill the massive voids left by injuries to Adam Treloar and Lynden Dunn?
Can the Pies replace Adam Treloar’s speed?
Losing star midfielder and Brownlow Medal smokie Adam Treloar is a massive blow for the Magpies, with his line-breaking ability vital to the club’s success.
While they could never get back everything Trelaor gave them, they may be able to replace his speed.
Gold Coast is in full rebuild mode and could be open to the idea of accepting a draft pick for Jarrod Harbrow, who is a free agent in a couple of months.
Harbrow is an upgrade on Sam Murray and could be a September x-factor for the Magpies.
Are the Reid and Moore injuries a problem?
So far, Collingwood has handled Ben Reid and Darcy Moore’s injuries as well as can be expected. But with Lynden Dunn’s year now over, it does leave the club in trouble when it comes to key position depth.
Is it time to pick up the phone and call the Adelaide Crows about Mitch McGovern?
The Crows are all but out of the finals race and if McGovern really does want to leave, trading him now to a desperate Collingwood could yield a better haul than during the off-season.
With the Magpies’ deep midfield, the Crows could even ask for a player like home town boy James Aish in return.
Who could be looking for a fresh start?
Prior to his ankle injury, Alex Fasolo was the perfect candidate for a mid-season move.
After kicking a career-high 29 goals in 2017, the medium sized forward was on the outs with the Magpies, spending the start of the season in the VFL.
Fasolo is too good not to have a prominent role in a forward line somewhere in the AFL.
Given he is back training, would a rival club still be interested as a September X-factor?
What would stop the Pies from potential deals?
The Magpies are in a dogfight to make the top four and the difference between a double chance or an elimination final on the road could be only a few percentage points.
They can’t risk making a fellow contender better under any circumstances.
That means trading with any of the other top 10 is basically out of the question.
Clubs out of the finals race and looking to pick up extra draft picks would be Collingwood’s sweet spot. Say hello to Adelaide, Carlton, Gold Coast, St Kilda and Brisbane.
Who would be a mid-year draft target?
The Pies look to have landed a steal in mature age key forward/defender Brody Mihocek who has booted six goals in just three games after playing with Port Melbourne last season.
Subiaco’s Lachlan Delahunty could be their next target. Delahunty was forced to play in the ruck last year but the arrival of former Docker Zac Clarke at Subi means he has been able to focus on his key position craft. Delahunty has booted 12 goals for the season, has amassed more than 20 disposals on eight occasions and can still pinch hit in the ruck. He is the ideal injury cover for the Magpies.
Could the Magpies sell high on a depth player?
Josh Thomas is easily having his best year as a Magpie. He is posting career high numbers in kicks, disposals, marks and inside 50s. But it is his goal output that has been the biggest win. Thomas is averaging 1.6 goals per game, up from .6 throughout the rest of his career.
Even with their injuries, the Magpies have arguably the deepest midfield in the competition. If they could force a rival club to pay overs, is Thomas expendable?
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