Former Collingwood forward Liam McMahon is being thrown into calculations for an AFL lifeline, with Carlton potentially knocking on his door.

McMahon would be signed as a rookie or pre-season supplemental selection once the trade and draft periods are complete if the Blues were to go down that path, according toย AFL Media's Josh Gabelich.

The Pies selected the 22-year-old at Pick 31 in the 2020 National Draft and delisted him two years later without an appearance at AFL level.

McMahon has established himself as one of the premier forwards in the VFL across the past two seasons to put his name back on the radar of AFL recruiters in recent months, featuring for Carlton.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Liam McMahon of the Blues (C) celebrates kicking a goal during the round 19 VFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Carlton Blues at Victoria Park on July 29, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The 198cm spearhead kicked 45 goals in 2024 to finish second in the Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal in a season where he won Blues' VFL best and fairest.

McMahon was also named at centre half-forward in the VFL Team of the Year after averaging 2.8 goals per game from 16 appearances.

Carlton has had a window into what he can produce on game day, which has showcased his impressive aerial ability and flexibility to play downback.

Michael Voss and his coaching group are looking at key position options to assist Jacob Weitering down one end and Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay in the forward line.

This comes in the form of set-to-be-discarded Hawthorn defender Denver Grainger-Barras, also eyeing an AFL lifeline at Ikon Park.