Collingwood has reportedly utilised Nick Daicos in its trade pursuit of a rival superstar.
Plus, the Devils are eyeing an emerging defender from a Victorian club ahead of their entrance into the competition. Read on in Trade Whispers.
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DAICOS REVEALED AS PART OF PIES’ PITCH
Collingwood has reportedly included superstar midfielder Nick Daicos in its pitch to lure Zak Butters to the club this offseason.
It comes as the Magpies and Richmond have both now held face-to-face meetings with Butters, according to the Age’s Jake Niall.
While it’s believed that both Melbourne juggernauts sit behind the Western Bulldogs and Geelong in the Butters sweepstakes, the Pies’ inclusion of Daicos speaks to the legitimacy of their pursuit.
Niall reports Daicos was in Collingwood’s meeting with Butters, adding that the club’s call to utilise him in the pitch “is a measure of Daicos’ value as a selling point to players, but also of Collingwood’s wish to support their young superstar with seasoned quality via free agency”.
Butters was the second-highest rated player in Port Adelaide’s narrow three-point loss to Sydney on Saturday night.
Collingwood is also believed to have met with Brisbane free agent Lachie Neale last week, as it aims to partner Daicos with another prime mover in the middle of the ground.
But unlike Neale, who wouldn’t cost any draft picks, the Pies would have to stump up significant draft capital to land Butters, as well as a lucrative contract.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are reported to have offered Butters a front-loaded eight-year deal worth $18 million over its lifetime.
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TASSIE EYEING BIG ROO
The Tasmania Devils have identified North Melbourne defender Charlie Comben as a key trade target, according to Super Saturday Live’s Jay Clark.
Comben, soon turning 25 years old, was drafted out of the Gippsland Power and is into his seventh season at Arden Street, set to enter free agency at the end of the 2027 season.
The 59-gamer has played in just 15 wins during his time at Arden Street, with the “direction” of the Kangaroos expected to be integral in Comben’s eventual call.
“We can tell you that key defender Charlie Comben has emerged as a key target for the Devils,” Clark told Fox Footy on Saturday.
“We’ve heard about their midfield and forward targets – he’s really the first key defensive pillar who has lobbed on the Devils’ radar.
“This is where the (Roos’) direction is just to important – they need to be competing for finals berths and winning games, because Tassie, with that extra $5 million in the salary cap, can throw a huge deal – a seven-figure deal – at Comben.
“He’s said how much he loves the club, but clearly, the (Roos’) direction will be important, and if they aren’t competing for finals appearances, then they could face a fight on their hands to keep Comben.”
Trialling as a forward in his early days, Comben has developed into one of the more promising emerging key defenders in the competition.
It comes after news has emerged in recent months that the Devils are also eyeing Giants midfielder Tom Green and Essendon forward Nate Caddy as marquee additions.
Read Clark’s full report on Tasmania’s Comben pursuit in the Herald Sun.