Collingwood has signed three additional players to its rookie list with VFL star Lachie Sullivan getting the call-up after a huge performance in their intraclub match on Wednesday.
While former Port Adelaide ruck Brynn Teakle was viewed as one of the frontrunners for a pre-season supplemental period (SSP) signing, he has missed out, with the 26-year-old Sullivan joining the premiers after another stellar year at Footscray.
Former Essendon tall Josh Eyre, who has brutally suffered two pre-season injuries over the last two years, will get his chance as well.
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Eyre missed a spot at St Kilda in the 2023 pre-season due to a serious hamstring injury, and suffered another hamstring injury last week, but the Magpies have backed him to recover and play a role in 2024.
He played nine games, primarily as a key defender, for the Pies’ VFL side last year.
Former St Kilda midfielder Jack Bytel has also been picked up, after he was delisted following six games at Moorabbin last year.
Teakle, Magpies VFL captain Campbell Hustwaite and VAFA defender Sam Sofronidis have missed out with the Magpies able to add another player to their list if they place Dan McStay on the long-term injury list.
However it’s believed they are keen to give McStay a chance at returning late in the 2024 season.
Just last year Collingwood signed Oleg Markov in the SSP, turning him into a premiership defender. The deadline this year is February 19.
Meanwhile at Gold Coast all signs are pointing to an early 2024 debut for Ben King after he got through two-thirds of Thursday’s hitout.
King missed the last three games of last season and knee swelling caused a delayed start to this pre-season but he earned four shots on goal in a solid outing at Carrara.
Under Damien Hardwick the established midfield core looks likely to get plenty of game time with Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Sam Flanders and Touk Miller featuring in the A side.
Charlie Ballard stood out in defence alongside Connor Budarick and Bodhi Uwland while Alex Sexton, who has been moved into the back six, also showed flashes.
Mac Andrew played in the B team across all three areas of the ground.
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