An emerging Roos star is poised to reject a rival club’s mega multimillion-dollar offer. Plus Collingwood’s recruiting strategy unpacked and Patrick Dangerfield “keen to play on”.

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PIES TO RIDE SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY ‘ALL THE WAY HOME’

Collingwood’s recent ‘hits’ with mature-age recruits have the club “scouring the state leagues again”, according to CODE Sports reporter Jon Ralph.

A key part of the Magpies’ recent resurgence, which has them in a good spot to make the wildcard round this year, has been the emergence of their bargain buys.

While Ned Long (2024 mid-season draft) had already emerged, the Pies this year have also unveiled the likes of Roan Steele (2025 mid-season draft) and Charlie West (Pick 50, 2024). They’ve also enjoyed early success with recent draftees, including Angus Anderson (Pick 57, 2025), Liam Puncher (2026 mid-season draft) and Mitch Podhajski (2026 mid-season draft).

That list also excludes Oscar Steene (SSP 2022), who made an outstanding start to his 2026 AFL campaign before rupturing his ACL.

The promising signs from the Magpies’ recruits have them eyeing mature-age talent again, according to Ralph.

“If you’re on a good thing you stick to it,” Ralph told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night.

McRae emotional over Hill exit talks | 00:34

“Collingwood has reaped amazing rewards, not only from the last two mid-season drafts, but also from the last national drafts.

“Shane O’Bree came on at the start of last season (as recruiting manager) and, with (list boss) Justin Leppitsch, they’ve formed a really good team that’s getting some great results from the draft.

“They’re scouring the state leagues again – in particular the SANFL.

“This is the plan for them: You take your early picks – we’ve heard a lot about them talking those early picks – you bring in Lachie Neale as a free agent – who doesn’t cost them a selection – then you use those late picks on players like Angus Anderson.

“Really smart selections from Collingwood. We haven’t always said that through their recent national draft picks, but they’ve found a strategy that’s worked out for them really well and they’re going to ride it all the way home.”

YOUNG ROO TO SHUN HUGE TASSIE INTEREST

North Melbourne young gun Finn O’Sullivan is set to turn down a monster long-term offer from Tasmania, reports AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.

Foxfooty.com.au’s Will Faulkner reported in May the Devils would “look to come hard” for both O’Sullivan and Richmond’s Sam Lalor – the top two picks from the 2024 draft – as part of their recruiting plans.

Speaking on Channel 9 on Tuesday night, Twomey said the Devils had been “actively pursuing” O’Sullivan, but he’d shown little interest in a Tassie move.

“We can reveal tonight he’s close to re-signing a two-year deal at North Melbourne … that’d take him through to 2029, which is past the Devils’ window of access to out-of-contract players,” Twomey told Footy Classified.

Devils on the hunt for big stars | 03:53

“The big update here is what he’s turned down. My understanding is the Devils have made clear to Finn O’Sullivan that across an eight-year deal worth up to $15 million, they’d be willing to table that for the second-year Kangaroo – because he’s the character they’re trying to search for, he’s the player they’re trying to build a club around.

“They identified him and also Sam Lalor – they basically made the same offer to both of them, they’re great mates. But the update is O’Sullivan is set to stay. He hasn’t been interested in it and hasn’t even been interested to meet with the Devils.

“He’s the character glue-guy already at North Melbourne, so a big show of faith for the Roos.”

‘I’M KEEN’: DANGER WANTS TO STAY

Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield has declared he wants to continue his AFL career in 2027.

A Brownlow Medallist, premiership Cat and eight-time All-Australian, Dangerfield has played 374 games across 19 seasons with Adelaide and Geelong, including 14 for the Cats this year.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night, Dangerfield said he was eager to play on into a 20th season.

“I’m pretty keen to play on,” he said on AFL 360.

“It’s the best job in the world and you’re a long-time retired, as plenty of former teammates will tell me.

“I’m keen to play on, but there’s still a few things to tick off there.”

Should he sign a new contract, Dangerfield would have the chance to reach the 400-game milestone next season.