A Victorian powerhouse has been tipped to chase a brilliant intercepting backman.
Meanwhile, four clubs have “confirmed” interest in Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage.
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Collingwood will reportedly be one of at least four clubs to throw its hat in the ring for superstar GWS defender Sam Taylor.
Taylor, 24, is scheduled to be eligible for restricted free agency at the end of next season, with clubs already eyeing his potential availability.
However, the Giants have “started discussions” with Taylor’s management on cementing a new agreement before then.
According to AFL Media journalist Cal Twomey, the Magpies — in addition to West Coast, Fremantle, Essendon and others — are anticipated to chase Taylor throughout the coming months.
“Well, it’s decision time. That’s coming for them around a lot of their veterans; Jeremy Howe, Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury,” Twomey began on Gettable.
“They won’t want to dip as a footy club, so they’re going to be ultra active, I think, and we’ve seen that from them previously, as well.
“They have big money in their cap; they went after Miles Bergman last year, they were in that hunt before he re-signed at the Power. They went after Tom Doedee at the end of the season.
“So, clearly, the talls market defensively is something I think they’ll look at. Sam Taylor is one that is out of contract next year, he will be getting (big) offers as a free agent next year.”
Twomey said GWS has gotten the ball rolling on arranging a fresh extension, though numerous clubs are expected to come hard for the Swan Districts product.
“The Giants have started some early discussions with him to try and extend him beyond next season,” Twomey said.
“I think Collingwood is among the clubs that will hunt him as a free agent next year and throughout this next 12 to 18 months.
“Look, everyone’s going to have a dip, let’s face it. West Coast, Fremantle, I think Essendon as well and the Magpies will all be front and centre if he does want to look at his options.
“You have to have a throw at the stumps.”
Taylor was the No.28 pick in 2017 and has played 98 AFL games across his near-seven years in the league.
Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark has named the four clubs thought to be most in pursuit of Brisbane free agent Hugh McCluggage.
“I made a lot of calls (about) Hugh McCluggage over the last two days,” Clark told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday.
“Collingwood (and) Geelong you can lock in. St Kilda (is) definitely interested and Essendon as well are the four clubs confirmed into Hugh McCluggage.
“To me, he’s been one of the best wingman in the competition, and I think if you ask Hugh, he’d say ‘I want to play inside on-ball as well’ — we’ve seen that in little bits. Can he be one of the best onballers in the competition? I think that’s the aspiration.
“Brisbane’s in a fascinating position, and you’ve got Geelong — he’s a country boy from Warrnambool — Collingwood, who wouldn’t want to go there?
“Versus the likes of St Kilda and Essendon, (who) probably has a stacked engine room already. So, I feel like that’s the four-way race.
“Adelaide would be having a crack, North Melbourne would be trying. Fremantle, maybe. But I would say almost every club has enquired.”
The 26-year-old South Warrnambool export is slated to enter restricted free agency at the conclusion of this season.
McCluggage totalled the second-most goal assists in the AFL last season and has started the 2024 campaign in typical silky form.
The 162-gamer has never played less than 18 matches in a season through his seven full years in the league thus far.
McCluggage was chosen by Brisbane with Pick 3 in the 2016 national draft.
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