Contracted Collingwood midfielder Fin Macrae is expected to garner some level of rival interest this year despite being tied to the Magpies until the end of 2024.
Macrae has notched up 11 games in the black and white since joining Collingwood as a first-round selection through the 2020 National Draft, with nine of those appearances coming in his debut season.
The 21-year-old would feature as the medical sub in his maiden showing of last season and played in just one further game before the end of the year, while 2023 has seen opportunities harder to come by with Macrae yet to appear under Craig McRae.
With Collingwood's senior midfield group flourishing across the first half of the season to have the Magpies among the top premiership contenders, Macrae has been left to feature at VFL level for the entirety of the season so far.
The Kew Rovers junior has played has featured in nine games this year in the state league competition and averages a team-high 25.6 disposals and 6.0 tackles per game to go along with 5.4 clearances and 4.6 inside 50s.
The strong season for Collingwood's reserves comes as the club's senior engine room ensemble continues to shine, with recruit Tom Mitchell having an immediate impact at his new club while Jordan De Goey and Josh Daicos are enjoying career-best campaigns.
The veteran pairing of Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom have shown no sign of slowing down, keeping the likes of Macrae out of the action.
The closest Macrae has come to an AFL appearance this year was as a leftover emergency for the club's Anzac Day clash against Essendon in Round 5.
The young midfielderย - and brother to Western Bulldogs ball magnet Jack Macrae - is seen as a potential trade target for rival clubs this year, according toย New Corp.
The publication's report suggests Macrae's limited opportunities at Collingwood are expected to have rival clubs circling his services despite his contract status for 2024.
Macrae re-signed with the Magpies midway through last year on a two-year extension, however he's managed just the one appearance since.
Collingwood currently have fringe talents Aiden Begg, Josh Carmichael, Trent Bianco Oleg Markov and Ash Johnson, among others, unsigned for the 2024 season, while contract calls will need to be made for the likes of first-string assets Mason Cox and John Noble.
