Collingwood has reportedly invited Footscray midfielder Lachie Sullivan to train with the club for a vacant list spot as part of the Supplemental Selection Period.
Sullivan has been one of the premier ball winners in the VFL over the last two seasons and has captained the Western Bulldogs' VFL affiliate side for the past three seasons after joining the club in 2019.
The 26-year-old has claimed the past two Footscray best and fairest awards and was named in the VFL Team of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
Sullivan finished equal third for the J.J. Liston Trophy this year after averaging 30.9 disposals, 7.6 clearances and 5.9 tackles per game - recording 30 or more disposals in 12 of his 20 games. He also recorded a top five finish for the 2022 Liston count.
The VFL star is now set to earn a chance to land on an AFL list, withย AFL.com.auย reporting Sullivan will become the sixth SSP train-on prospect at Collingwood this pre-season.
The Magpies have already welcomed former AFL talent in Brynn Teakle, Josh Eyre and Jack Bytel to their summer program, with Collingwood VFL captain Campbell Hustwaite and local footballer Sam Sofronidis also competing for three open list spots at Olympic Park.
Collingwood could open up another list spot by moving injured forward Dan McStay to the inactive list.
Sullivan is likely in direct competition with Bytel and Hustwaite given the similarities between the pair as ball-winning inside midfielders.
AFL.com.au'sย report suggests Sullivan will link up with the Magpies as early as Wednesday at Victoria Park, and will train under coach Craig McRae until the new year.
Collingwood will then make a call on which of their SSP trialists return in January, while the SSP deadline is scheduled for February 19.
The reigning premiers have found success from the SSP, headlined by the acquisition of former Gold Coast and Richmond defender Oleg Markov earlier this year.
