Collingwood's recent moves in the Australian Football League (AFL) have been a mix of retention and recruitment, with a focus on securing young talent. The club has reportedly begun contract extension talks with Ed Allan, a 22-year-old midfielder who has had a career-best season, averaging impressive statistics. This comes as a relief for the club, as they had previously missed out on other trade targets, including Jake Rogers, a small forward from the Gold Coast Suns. The Magpies are also in the running for Lachie Neale, a dual Brownlow medallist, as an unrestricted free agent. However, there are concerns about the future of some players, such as Tom Lynch, who is yet to sign a new deal for the upcoming season, and Scott Pendlebury, whose future is still uncertain. Additionally, the club is working on retaining veterans like Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe, while also addressing the departure of Bobby Hill. The article also mentions the potential poaching of mid-season draftee Marcus Herbert by Carlton, among others, and the interest in Port Adelaide's Todd Marshall. These moves highlight the club's strategic approach to building a competitive team, balancing retention and recruitment to maintain a strong position in the AFL.
