For the second time this week, the Western Bulldogs were on the end of another trade request - this time from premiership onballer Jack Macrae.
Macrae's request sees the veteran ball magnet prepare to depart Whitten Oval three years prior to the end of his contract, with his desired departure following the same request made by off-contract youngster Bailey Smith.
And much like Smith, Macrae could cost a keen suitor a first-round draft pick given his pedigree as a three-time All-Australian. There's no doubt his 2024 season has taken some shine off the product fans have come to know Macrae to be, but at his best he is one of the leading ball winners and distributors in the competition.
Macrae will be 31 next year and it'll be a mighty gamble for any club willing to cash in on the inside-outside midfield threat with high-end draft capital, but sides in the window - or at least looking to make the leap - will be sure to consider it.
We assess five clubs that could make a move for Jack Macrae...
5. Collingwood
A reunion with younger brother Fin at Olympic Park perhaps?
The older Macrae brother would be a fitting addition to Collingwood's engine room, which has lost some pace given their everlasting reliance on veteran figures Scott Pendlebury, Tom Mitchell and Steele Sidebottom, while star ball-winner Jordan De Goey's ongoing injury battles haven't helped.
Mercurial Magpie Nick Daicos has emerged as the main man in the middle for the reigning premiers, with Macrae a nice complementary addition for the father-son gun and De Goey at the feet of Darcy Cameron.
Collingwood will need to weigh up what direction they'll take this off-season, with any deal involving their future first-round pick set to leave them without an opening selection for the 2024 and 2025 counts.
It's a might gamble for the Victorian powerhouse, who will hope to rise back up the ladder next year after falling from the top to ninth.
