Rival set to swoop on Pies star; Bombers aggressive trade plans bare — Trade Whispers

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COULD MAGPIE RUCK FLY WEST?

Collingwood star Darcy Cameron is reportedly being watched under the close eye of West Coast, as Andrew McQualter’s new side prepare to dip their toe into the market for a rival ruck.

AFL Media reported on Tuesday night that the 29-year-old has considered moving to a third senior club, as he remains unsigned beyond 2026.

Born in Western Australia, Cameron spent three years at Sydney after being drafted before moving south to Collingwood at the end of 2019.

The Eagles, who have had their ruck struggles since Nic Naitanui’s twilight years at the club, are believed to be in the market for another on-ball tall. Should a move home eventuate for Cameron, it would almost certainly need to be at West Coast, given Fremantle’s settled ruck department compromising of Sean Darcy, Luke Jackson and Liam Reidy.

The preliminary stages of a contract extension at Collingwood has been discussed, but have not progressed to a stage where it is imminent by any stretch.

Currently, West Coast’s main ruck stocks currently comprise of former Giant Matt Flynn and Bailey Williams, with young talls Harry Barnett and Coen Livingstone also listed.

BOMBERS REVEAL ONGOING TRADE PLANS

Evidently an ecosystem that never sleeps, the planning from AFL clubs for any upcoming trade period is as meticulous as any department all year round.

And in a recent interview with club legend Tim Watson, Essendon chief executive Craig Vozzo spoke on how active he expects his club to be in the coming years, before opening up on how many rival players they’re currently amid discussions with.

“We have made a fair change in trying to identify what we’re after, in what makes an Essendon player … we’re not quite there (yet) in terms of our list balance,” Vozzo admitted.

“We’ll look to pull all levers. Whether that’s the draft, whether that’s acquisitions through free agency or trade — we’ll look at all of that.

“We’re certainly in the mix (with rival players) … at least three to four players.

“From our point of view, it’s making sure we have enough youth coming in, (but also) having that right balance of experience. More positionally for us (though) is the critical one for us, and high-end talent.”

Vozzo, who is beginning his third year at Essendon in the role after departing West Coast, finished by saying that his currently club has the capacity to poach, which could see the Bombers as a very active player come October later this year.

“We certainly have capacity to acquire … we’re in a really good space to reward existing players and then to laterally acquire.”