Two former first-round picks at the Magpies are said to be garnering external interest.
Rival clubs are said to be keeping tabs on two of Collingwood’s former first-round draft picks in Finlay Macrae and Reef McInnes.
Macrae has played eight games in 2024, four of which he was replaced by, or started as, the substitute.
Similarly, McInnes has been selected for nine matches this year, but too was replaced by, or started as, the substitute in four games. With McInnes out of contract, there have been a few clubs exploring poaching the 2020 draft selection.
Pointing out how two players’ lack of opportunity at the Magpies could deter them from staying in black and white stripes, News Corp reporter Glenn McFarlane revealed other clubs are keeping an eye on the young duo.
“I think a few rival clubs are keeping a really close eye, at this particular stage, on the two high-end draft picks from Collingwood from a number of years ago, Fin Macrae and Reef McInnes,” McFarlane said on The Midweek Tackle.
“They can’t get a game at the moment. They’ve played 20 games in four seasons.
“Macrae is contracted for next year, Reef McInnes is not. Quite a few clubs are actually enquiring about McInnes at the moment. He’s playing down back.”
Despite his lack of appearances, McInnes has been an accurate scoreboard threat when selected, booting 13 goals and just two behinds this season. His best performances came against St Kilda in Round 2 and West Coast in Round 9, where he kicked three majors in each.
A potential suitor could be Melbourne, who have been crying out for a key forward to sync with Jacob van Rooyen and Bayley Fritsch. Fritsch is the only Demon to crack 40 goals in 2024, with the developing van Rooyen on 26.
Macrae still has a year to run on his contract, and seemingly has a strong relationship with coach Craig McRae.”
“Fin, he’s the guy Craig McRae says he speaks to more than anyone at the club. There is some interest, it’s limited interest at the moment but he can change that quickly with a big back end,” McFarlane added.
A midfielder-forward, a Macrae suitor could be St Kilda. The Saonts lack a point of difference in their midfield, and a nimble outside midfielder could assist the Saints to unleash fast attacks from stoppage.
From an average of just 9.9 disposals this season, Macrae produces 1.9 inside 50s and two clearances per game. In a midfield with ageing talent such as Brad Crouch, Seb Ross and Bradley Hill, Macrae could be a part of the young crop coming through the ranks, alongside Mattaes Phillipou and Darcy Wilson.
Collingwood host Brisbane on Saturday, and McInnes and Macrae will be pushing for selection. Out of the side since Round 14, Macrae strung together 29 disposals and seven clearances in his VFL encounter with Sydney last Friday, whilst McInnes has yet to play since Round 19 against the Hawks.
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