Collingwood star Adam Treloar remains “trade bait” as the club continues their search for a key forward, according to AFL journalist Jon Ralph.
After departing Giant Jeremy Cameron nominated Geelong as his club of choice on Monday, the list of forwards available to the Pies continues to shrink.
A star midfielder like Treloar may have to be pushed out if the Pies can afford to land a big forward, according to Ralph.
“Well Adam Treloar is a trade bait. He’s certainly someone other clubs believe is gettable. Exactly because the kind of people like Jeremy Cameron keep coming out of other football clubs,” Ralph said on Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight.
“Cameron is off the table now and seemingly so is Jack Gunston, Tom Morris has talked about him and Collingwood’s interest.
“Other names that have been floated include Jesse Hogan and Ben Brown. Clearly there is not a preferred candidate now Cameron is off the table.
“But they really seem intent on bringing in that key forward and Treloar might be the fall guy.
“He’s got a back-ended deal so he’d be on significant money in the last couple of years, five more seasons left.”
While Treloar has always racked up big numbers in the midfield, Ralph pointed to a key stat as one reason why the Pies may be willing to see him depart.
“Here’s the stat that matters. Of the 234 players who had 100 kicks this year, he had the third worst kick rating. It takes into account the degree of difficulty,” Ralph said.
“I think what Collingwood thinks after only a single goal this season, is that he does not hurt opposition clubs enough. They have not only Josh Daicos who kicked goal of the year, but Nick Daicos who is his brother in next year’s draft. Likely to be the No.1 overall draft pick.
“So I think they just feel like they need to find a key forward. The last key forward at Collingwood to kick 40 goals was Travis Cloke all the way back at 2013.
“So I think they feel like they would like to rejig their list, even if it is at the expense of a fan favourite who has to find a home. Which I think's going to be hard given the salary constraints.”