Wantaway Collingwood forward Ollie Henry is reportedly prepared to enter the Pre-Season Draft instead of recommitting to the Magpies as he continues to seek a move to Geelong.
The Cats' most recent offer to Collingwood of Pick 25 for the 20-year-old was baulked at by the Magpies, leaving talks between the two clubs in a stalemate entering the final day of the 2022 trade period.
Henry had flagged a desire to join brother Jack at Kardinia Park just two years after joining Collingwood as the 17th overall selection in the draft, with his decision following a year of being required to ply his trade in the VFL after falling out of favour come selection.
Henry's frustrations have seen him now weighing up the avenue of leaving the Magpies even without an agreed deal with Geelong, withย AFL.com.auย revealing the athletic attacker could walk to the Pre-Season Draft should a deal fail to arise by Wednesday night's deadline.
The publication's report suggests Henry isn't hoping to be re-signed with Collingwood through the draft either as he continues his plea for a switch to the Cats.
A decision to enter the Pre-Season Draft would mean Henry could be susceptible to joining other rival clubs, with Geelong the 18th in line to select the youngster given the reverse ladder order of the draft.
Henry's trade request comes after 25 games in two years with the Magpies, with his 2022 season facing selection setbacks given the rise of Ash Johnson in Craig McRae's forward line.
Collingwood have recruited Lions free agent Dan McStay this off-season, only adding to the likelihood of Henry facing fewer minutes at AFL level in 2023.
Geelong have already managed a strong off-season of recruitment just weeks after their grand final win, securing Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes from the Giants and Suns respectively.
The Cats gave up Pick 18 to the Giants for Bruhn, while they pocketed Pick 7 along with Bowes in a salary dump deal with Gold Coast, where the Cats were required to hand over a future third-round pick.
