A Hawthorn forward’s name has been raised as a backup plan for the Magpies, should their Ben King pursuit fall short.

Plus, the free agent who’s considered “very unlikely” to stay at his current club beyond this year. Read on in Trade Whispers.

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PIES’ PLAN B IN KING PURSUIT?

Collingwood could turn its attention to Hawthorn free agent Mitch Lewis if its Ben King pursuit proves unsuccessful.

That’s according to Seven’s Mitch Cleary, who reports the Magpies inquired about Lewis last year and could turn in his direction again in 2026 if King opts against a Collingwood move.

Lewis has played in all six Hawks games thus far and kicked 10 goals, after managing a combined 13 goals across the past two seasons.

Regarding talks with the Hawks on a new deal, the out-of-contract Lewis told Triple M last Sunday: “No, we haven’t had any conversations yet.”

Cleary says both sides are willing to be patient as it pertains to another deal.

“Pretty rare it gets to Round 7, a player of his quality, no dialogue (around a new contract),” Cleary said.

“I think both parties are pretty happy with where it’s at right now, because Hawthorn wants to see him build a bit more consistency with his body. He obviously is building his value in price right now, so that’s going to continue to go up.

“Collingwood, I understand, at least asked the question in a preliminary sense last year.

“They’re into Ben King — I think if (Ben) King stays at the Suns, watch them (Collingwood) shift their interest to a player like Mitch Lewis.”

Cleary added that given Lewis is only about to turn 28, he could “push for five (years)” on his new deal.

The 84-game key forward is eligible for unrestricted free agency this year, meaning he could walk to the club of his choice without any Hawthorn resistance.

FREE AGENT WHO’S ‘VERY UNLIKELY’ TO STAY

Out-of-favour Giants ruckman Kieren Briggs is reportedly “very unlikely” to remain in Sydney beyond this year.

The 26-year-old, who was omitted after Round 3 and hasn’t yet earned a call-up to Adam Kingsley’s side, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge reports Briggs is highly likely to be playing at a rival club next year, with “ruck-needy” Victorian clubs potentially in the frame.

“Right here, right now, it’s very unlikely that Kieren Briggs would be at the Giants next year,” Beveridge told AFL Media’s Gettable.

“He’s become a player of interest to clubs chasing rucks as an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

“Spent the last two weeks out of the side … there are some ruck-needy clubs, particularly in Victoria — Richmond is one of them, the Western Bulldogs are another.

“I’m expecting more clubs to enter this market for Kieren Briggs.”

Instead of the Pennant Hills product, Kingsley has opted to reward the likes of Nick Madden and even Leek Aleer with opportunities in the ruck.

Not among the league’s most athletic ruckmen, Briggs is now seen as a second-ruck commodity in the competition.

A club such as Richmond, which has long relied on ageing captain Toby Nankervis as its sole tapster, could prospectively utilise Briggs as a bridging player while the likes of developmental talls Ollie Hayes-Brown and Tom Sims continues to develop.