Collingwood is happy to trade Tom Phillips if the wingman can find a new home during AFL trade period
While Adam Treloar is grabbing all of the attention, another Collingwood midfielder is exploring his options in the background after being pushed out of his preferred position. Plus the the latest on Melbourne’s trade plans.
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Tom Phillips’ manager saye he is considering whether to find a new club after being squeezed out of the wing role he made his own at Collingwood.
The Herald Sun revealed this year Phillips was up for trade in 2019 but, despite Geelong’s strong interest, he was keen to honour the final two seasons of his deal.
Now, after having been pushed to half-forward, the Pies are prepared to keep him.
But his manager Alex McDonald says Collingwood would be happy to trade him if he could find a new home with more opportunities.
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The Pies are also looking to trade Adam Treloar, but, despite speculation about Mason Cox’s future, the big man is keen to stay and is a required player.
Phillips had a significant deal for 2020, if he ticked off a range of incentives, but he only played 15 games after suffering a late-season hamstring injury.
“It’s fair to say Tom’s role has dried up with Steele Sidebottom and Josh Daicos in that role.” he said.
“We were hoping he would get that traditional wing spot back. He had a couple of decent years there, and if he’s not one, he’s No.2 at the club for endurance.
“That is something he has to work through with a year on his contract, if he’s prepared to play a role that might not be best suited to him.
“He is working through that. The club has been great, with Ned (Guy) and Bucks.
“They have said, ‘you are contracted and you will probably play games if you stay’ but whether it’s in that role where he wants to play.
“His best footy is on a wing, and it doesn’t look like that will be the case.”
“We just need to work through whether there is a better option if he wants to play in that part of the ground.”
McDonald told Trade Radio client Tom McDonald was up for a trade if he could also find a suitor which would provide more opportunities.
He was dropped late in the season playing as a forward and the Demons are considering bringing in Ben Brown to play alongside Sam Weideman and Luke Jackson.
With Steven May, Adam Tomlinson and Jake Lever in the backline, there is no spot for him in defence. Or brother Oscar McDonald, who is also looking for a new home.
But his considerable salary will be an impediment. given his drop-off in form in the past two years.
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Melbourne will attempt to pull-off a double-play for Ben Brown and Isaac Smith in the trade period to help significantly bolster its scoring power for next season.
The Demons are strong contenders for full forward Brown and wingman Smith but will strongly consider moving on swingman Tom McDonald and back-up ruckman Braydon Preuss.
Smith, 31, is torn between staying at the Hawks on a two-year deal where he would finish as a one-club premiership hero, or accepting a three-year contract to add some speed and polish on a wing at Melbourne.
Geelong is also in the mix for Smith.
The Demons want Brown, 27, and could yet become the only club to make a meaningful bid for the goal kicker on the back of a poor year hampered by a season-ending knee injury.
Essendon is also considering making a play but has not banged down the door for Brown.
If Melbourne wins Brown’s signature, the club plans to play the goal kicker and Weideman in the same forward line, while the versatile Luke Jackson would support Max Gawn in the ruck.
Weideman, 23, had an excellent year in attack for Melbourne but could have done with some aerial support late in the season as the Dees narrowly missed the finals.
The Demons could offer a second or future second-round pick for Brown, while Smith would come for nothing as an unrestricted free agent.
Smith still feels a strong emotional attachment to Hawthorn where he has won three premierships and has taken time making up his mind.
Brown’s arrival at Melbourne would most likely end McDonald’s time under Simon Goodwin as Brown would take his spot in the forward line.
McDonald, 28, has struggled with form over the past two seasons and lost his spot in Melbourne’s senior side in Round 13 this year.
The swingman has emerged as a replacement option for Jeremy Cameron at Greater Western Sydney if the Coleman Medalist, as expected, makes a move to Geelong.
As the Herald Sun revealed on Monday, the Giants are also considering Fremantle’s Jesse Hogan.
The Demons could package up Preuss and McDonald in the same trade deal with the Giants in a move that could net the Demons a first-round pick for the pair from GWS.
GWS want multiple first-round picks from the Cats for Cameron but Geelong remains reluctant to give them up.
It is understood there had been little ground made on a Cameron deal between the Cats and Giants as of Wednesday.
The Giants are also set to receive a first-round free agency compensation pick for Zac Williams who has chosen to continue his career at Carlton.
If the Demons are unable to prise Smith, North Melbourne’s Jared Polec will be a consideration but his big salary is a significant hurdle to any trade deal.
Melbourne is also excited about developing wingman Oskar Baker who could command a regular senior spot in the midfield on the opposite wing to Ed Langdon next year.
The Demons have rejected all inquiries into Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver.
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