Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy have made the front page of the papers again, as their future at Collingwood is uncertain beyond 2022.
Journalist Sam McClure said on Footy Classified on Monday night that De Goey is unlikely to be at the Magpies, with St Kilda and Geelong the frontrunners to secure the match winner.
"I'd be shocked and amazed if Jordan De Goey isn't playing for either Geelong or St Kilda next year."@sam_mcclure says the Magpies are considering making 'brutal' calls on some of their biggest stars, including on Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey.#9FootyClassified | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/TSTIKJZ1Sx
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 18, 2022
While Grundy's current position at the club continues to confuse fans, as reports have revealed that the dual All-Australian could be seen in different colours in 2023.
Former list manager Matt Rendell said that there could be a big man merry-go-round that could be started by Luke Jackson's arrival at Fremantle.
Speaking on SEN, Rendell believed that if Melbourne lost Jackson to the Dockers, they should put in a bid for Grundy, who is believed to be shopped around by Collingwood.
Freeing up some salary space seems to be the primary objective for the 2022 offseason, shifting De Goey and Grundy to rival clubs and attracting other players.
The Magpies have been reported to be very active in their pursuit for player acquisition, including Brisbane's Daniel McStay as well as GWS' Bobby Hill and Tim Taranto.
New coach Craig McRae has quickly turned this club around after a 17th place finish in 2021 to genuine top four contention, with five rounds remaining in the home-and-away season.
Although there's plenty to play out in season 2022, how will the Pies look next year?
Will some of their stars be departing?
Who will they bring in?
De Goey's exit likely to happen
De Goey's constant off-field antics has gotten him in hot water throughout his career and the latest Bali incident that resulted in a $25,000 suspended fine may have been the last straw.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked to a move out of the AIA Centre, despite a previously tabled offer being pulled following his mid-season trip that looked like two years around $800,000 with a trigger for another two.
St Kilda and Geelong have been thrown into the mix for De Goey's services as Collingwood weighs up the good with the bad.
Apart from the Gold Coast games, De Goey has been in stellar form in 2022, averaging 22 touches, six score involvements and five clearances while showing glimpses of his star potential.
However, the former pick five from the 2014 draft looks likely to be in new colours as the Pies try free up some salary space.
Do Collingwood need Grundy?
Grundy is currently two years into his monster seven-year deal worth around one million per season and questions have arisen if the Pies need the two-time Copeland Trophy winner in 2023 and beyond, with the emergence of Darcy Cameron, Aiden Begg and the improvement of Mason Cox.
The 28-year-old has been absent from the senior side after injuring his PCL in the Anzac Day clash back in round six, although it's had little impact on Collingwood as the team has won nine of the 11 games since.
Cameron has taken the primary ruck role and has relished in the opportunity, averaging 16 touches, 22 hit-outs, five marks, four tackles and three clearances.
The former Swan is entering his prime now at age 26 and has staked his credentials to be a genuine star ruckman, without the high-price demands that Grundy has forced.
Cox's resurgence back into the football world has been one of many feel-good stories coming out of Collingwood and offers another look for McRae.
The American Pie has enjoyed the faith his coach has instilled in him, especially since returning to the senior side in round 10.
Playing predominantly more ruck than forward, Cox averages 21 hit-outs, 10 disposals, four marks before single-handedly willing Collingwood to victory against Melbourne and Carlton earlier in their winning streak.
At 31, Cox is unlikely to have many years at the elite level, but is proving to be a worthy commodity well within the salary cap.
Moving on to youngster and 2021 mid-season recruit Begg, who's played three AFL games under McRae and is perfect depth for the Pies.
The 19-year-old competes hard in the air and on the ground and has plenty of upside and potential to be a solid ruckman in the future.
Who Collingwood is targeting?
GWS' Hill has indicated his desire to return to Victoria, especially after a failed trade request to Essendon at the end of 2021.
The lively forward is currently dealing with personal issues but would add another layer of speed and polish in the Collingwood front half, joining Beau McCreery, Jack Ginnivan, Oliver Henry and experienced players Brody Mihocek and Jamie Elliott.
Taranto's availability is also an intriguing topic and realistically would only come to the Magpies if De Goey were to depart.
The 24-year-old is originally from Melbourne and is a member of the Giant midfield that consists of Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield, Jacob Hopper and Lachlan Ash.
Unfortunately, Taranto may be the unlucky one given the financial pressure from Kelly, Coniglio and Whitfield as a return home seems to be on the cards.
The pick two in the 2016 draft is a strong midfielder who has been deployed as a forward and is almost a like-for-like with De Goey.
Damo had the latest mail on Tim Taranto's possible destination if he leaves GWS on the Saturday Rub today. Catch the full episode on the LiSTNR app now. pic.twitter.com/imqqh4sYdW
— Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) July 16, 2022
Taranto would be a perfect replacement for his former high school teammate.
While McStay's departure from Brisbane seems imminent, a return to Victoria is on the cards.
The Lion looks likely to exercise his unrestricted free agency rights to join the Pies.
McStay's ability to play at both ends is appealing to Collingwood, who have had troubles in the forward half in recent years, as Mihocek has been shouldering the load.
More: Want more AFL? Watch Warriors On The Field celebrating Aboriginal Australia and its long history and association with the AFL. Streaming on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
