Fremantle are hoping a Collingwood post-premiership slide can improve their deal for Lachie Schultz as they name their price for the wantaway forward.
The Dockers were left blindsided by Schultz’s trade request, but it appears they are getting serious about what they want the Pies to give up for the star.
The Herald Sun reports Freo are targeting Collingwood’s future first-round pick, which would see them ride the Magpies’ season next year — hoping they tumble down the ladder and climb up the draft order — 12 months after winning the flag.
The Pies currently have picks 19 and 33 in this year’s draft but if the Pies fall off after their flag, like Geelong did this year, the Dockers could end up with a pick inside the top-10 next year.
The last time Collingwood traded a future first-round pick it cost the club pick two in 2021 as the Magpies sunk to second-last on the ladder.
Another early pick in next year’s draft could bolster Freo’s chances of securing Swans forward Logan McDonald when he comes off contract next year, despite Sydney declaring they want the West Australian product to remain at the club.
The Dockers are desperate for another key forward to partner Jye Amiss, but after trading away their first-round pick this year to secure Luke Jackson and recruiters predicting a shallow pool of talent at this year’s draft, the Dockers may have a better chance of securing their target next year.
However, it appears unlikely Collingwood is willing to depart with its future first-rounder at this stage.
Another possibility could be opened up with Jade Gresham’s move from St Kilda to Essendon almost complete reportedly giving the Saints an end-of-first-round compensation pick in this year’s draft, currently, pick 21.
The Dockers will be eyeing that pick in return for Liam Henry which may give them a bit more capital to get a deal done.
It comes as Simon Garlick defended the clubs list management.
“I think clubs can get obsessive about maintaining a player at all costs,” Garlick said.
“Rather than potentially compromising where you’re going in the longer term or missing out on an opportunity.
“As long as you’re doing what you need to do as a club, if someone wants out, I think there is an element of objectivity where you sit there and say, ‘OK, that’s fine, how do we maximise this situation?”
