It was set to be a quiet trade period for Collingwood after last year's mass recruiting drive which saw Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, Bobby Hill, Daniel McStay and Billy Frampton all land at the Magpies.
However, a bombshell was dropped early in the trade period which saw Fremantle small forward Lachie Schultz request a trade to Collingwood.
Collingwood's move to reshape their forward line in last year's trade period worked wonders. Hill was brought in and kicked 33 goals including his stunning four-goal performance in the grand final which saw him earn the Norm Smith Medal.
Now, Collingwood football boss and list guru Graham Wright looks set to make a stunning play for Schultz and add even more power to their forward line. Schultz is coming off an impressive season for Fremantle, kicking 33 goals and earning himself another Glendining-Allan Medal for his best-on-ground performance against West Coast in Round 22.
Fremantle will fight to keep Schultz though, with Dockers football GM Peter Bell noting the small forward's contract status.
"Lachie advised yesterday that for a few different reasons he was interested in a move to Victoria and would like to play at Collingwood. We're open to listening to Collingwood, but there's a strong possibility that he'll be playing in 2024 for us," Bell toldย Trade Radio.
"He hit a contract trigger for an extra year on his contract to the end of 2024. We had been in discussion for a further extension for an extra couple of years.
"There was an element of surprise that the request came, but we acknowledge that circumstances can change.
"He's a big part of our plans and he's a valued teammate."
Despite the play for Schultz, Collingwood already has a stacked forward line, including Hill, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott, Beau McCreery, Jack Ginnivan, and McStay, whilst Reef McInnes and Ash Johnson have shown glimpses following promotions from the VFL at times this season.
Mihocek claimed Collingwood's leading goalkicker award for the fifth straight time this year with a career-high 47 goals. Whilst they only played 13 times together this season, Mihocek and McStay loom as the centrepiece of Collingwood's forward line setup for the 2024 season, with the pair combining for 43 goals across those 13 games.
Elliott battled form issues this season yet still kicked a career-high 39 goals, with his aerial and ground ball ability, as well as his potential to win games off of his own boot, showing that he is definitely a part of Collingwood's best forward line formation moving forward.
The one who looks under the most pressure if Collingwood lands Schultz is Ginnivan. Rumours have been circling that rival clubs will target the maligned Magpie, while star teammate Jordan De Goey believes that "Collingwood is the best place for him".
"The conditions we've got in the footy club, he'll continue to grow as a person and a footballer, so I think the best place for him is at the Pies," De Goey toldย The Today Show.ย
"I'm sure they'll work it all out but we love Ginni, everyone does at the footy club.
"So we'll see what happens."
After being drafted in 2020, Ginnivan had a breakout season in his second season with the Magpies, playing 23 games and kicking 40 goals to be an integral piece of Collingwood's forward line heading into their finals campaign that year.
However, behavioural and form issues saw Ginnivan struggle at AFL level this season, playing only 14 games for the yar and starting as the sub on five of those occasions.
Despite being a premiership player and crowd favourite, Ginnivan's work rate has been questioned and he is no certainty to appear in Collingwood's forward line as a mainstay next season, particularly if Schultz is at the Magpies.
Further to this, Collingwood had a plethora of players who could push forward when required, with Will Hoskin-Elliott, De Goey, McCreery, and Taylor Adams - who has just landed at the Sydney Swans this trade period.
Adams played more time forward during the 2023 season, kicking 13 goals and citing his move to Sydney as an opportunity to move back into the midfield permanently. Adams' move to the Swans creates opportunities for younger players Finlay Macrae and Ed Allan, with Macrae able to move forward when needed, kicking 18 goals in the VFL this season.
The veteran midfielder's departure also opens up opportunities in midfield for the likes of McCreery and Ginninvan to play further up the field, while Schultz could be the best man for the half-forward role.
It remains to be seen how Collingwood's forward line will stack up if they are to acquire Schultz in this year's Trade Period, with the departing Docker a near certain starter for Craig McRae.
