Collingwood is looking to bolster its midfield with some big additions in 2023.
Plus the fallout continues at Essendon as the side searches for a new senior coach.
Get all the latest player movement news in AFL Trade Whispers.
Watch every AFL final until the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
PIES’ MIDFIELD PLAY
Collingwood has reportedly shown interest in Gold Coast Suns midfielder Brayden Fiorini as the Pies look to bolster their midfield in 2023.
The Herald Sun reports Collingwood has preliminary interest in the 25-year-old, who remains contracted to the Suns for one more year on more than $500,000.
Fiorini played 14 games in 2022. as the likes of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell took command of the midfield brigade, leaving Fiorini on the outer.
Rival clubs have had great success in poaching talented players on the outer from the Suns, with the most recent examples Will Brodie at Fremantle and Peter Wright at Essendon.
Collingwood has also been linked to contracted Hawthorn veteran Tom Mitchell.
The Pies were among several Victorian clubs interested in Tim Taranto before he ultimately opted for Richmond as his preferred destination this trade period.
Collingwood is also expected to land Brisbane Lions key forward Daniel McStay and Greater Western Sydney small forward Bobby Hill.
KEY POSITION BOMBER MEETS WITH RIVAL CLUB
Essendon defender Aaron Francis is reportedly keen to leave the club this trade period.
The Advertiser reports Francis has spoken with Port Adelaide about a potential move, but that talks are preliminary.
Francis was taken with the sixth pick in the 2015 draft, but has managed only 54 games across seven seasons.
The South Australian is not reported to have strong interest from Port Adelaide at this stage.
Port Adelaide is focused on trying to snare Josh Dunkley while the club has also tabled a lucrative offer to Junior Rioli to leave West Coast.
ESSENDON COULD OFFER AFL LIFELINE TO DELISTED BLUE
Essendon has reportedly met with delisted Carlton midfielder Liam Stocker as the 22-year-old searches for an AFL lifeline.
Stocker was delisted by the Blues this week, four years after being selected with pick No.19 in the national draft.
He managed just 28 games in four seasons at the Blues and played predominantly as a defender in the VFL this season.
Seven News reported on Thursday that Stocker had met with Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro as he contemplates his future.
