The race for Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy looks to have narrowed, with Geelong reportedly the latest rival club to have gone cold on the two-time best and fairest winner.
Grundy was revealed to be keen on remaining in Victoria beyond this season, whether that be with Collingwood or elsewhere, with the 28-year-old understood to be up for grabs to keen suitors despite five years running on his contract at the Magpies.
After it was revealed Grundy wasn't looking to depart the state, rumoured clubs of interest in Port Adelaide and GWS saw their chances dashed, leaving the Cats, Demons and Hawks to be considering a move for the ruckman's signature.
Geelong have often pondered rival assets to aid their ongoing ruck dilemma, having most recently traded for former Hawthorn tall Jon Ceglar last year, while also moving on Geelong Falcons ruckman Toby Conway with their first selection in last year's National Draft.
But with Rhys Stanley and Ceglar in the twilight of their careers, and Conway still underdeveloped with no senior games to his name, the Cats emerged as a potential buyer for Grundy, who has begun assessing his options beyond this year.
However, according toย News Corp,ย Geelong have pulled themselves out of the race for the South Australian big man, opting in favour of Stanley and Ceglar for the final years of their respective deals for 2023.
Their decision means Melbourne's place in leading the pack for Grundy has strengthened, while the Hawks' interest hasn't been as explicit as their fellow Victorian rivals.
A move to Melbourne would see Grundy pair with the only ruckman that has perhaps surpassed his ability across the past decade in Demons skipper Max Gawn.
Melbourne are almost resigned to the concept of losing young star Luke Jackson to Fremantle this off-season, opening a key-position hole for Simon Goodwin to fill from next year.
Grundy could hold the first-string ruck duties in the red and blue, with Gawn sharing his workload between the centre and attack, a role he has taken on this season.
The Magpies are seen to be open to potentially paying a portion of Grundy's remaining salary, a deal that doesn't expire until the end of 2027 on a reported seven figures per year.
With the Demons having locked away the likes of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw on new deals, it's foreseen their salary cap may not be able to accommodate Grundy's full paycheque.
Grundy has played 177 games for the Magpies, with his last appearance coming in Round 6 of this year before suffering knee and ankle injuries that curtailed his season abruptly.
