Collingwood’s aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent and strategic management of its veteran list is dominating AFL trade chatter, with fresh updates from Fox Footy’s Trade Whispers suggesting a major acquisition could soon become reality.
The 2023 premiers are reportedly “very, very confident” of landing Gold Coast’s star forward Ben King.
MORE: Darcy Cameron Ends Trade Speculations with Emotional Affirmation of Allegiance to Collingwood
According to respected WA journalist Ryan Daniels, the Magpies are firming as front-runners to snare the 24-year-old key forward, whose contract expires at the end of 2026.
King has been a long-time target of Victorian clubs and is currently among the league’s top goalkickers, with 33 majors this season — just behind Jeremy Cameron, despite playing two fewer games.
Speaking on Triple M, Daniels claimed:
“I have it on good authority that Collingwood are very, very confident that this time next year Ben King will be a Magpie, or very close to it.”
With aging forwards Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek both in their 30s, the Magpies view King as a long-term spearhead. He would also command significant financial investment, but Collingwood appears prepared to go “super hard” at securing him.
Meanwhile, the Pies are also working on solidifying their veteran core, with six senior players — Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jamie Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Jeremy Howe, and Will Hoskin-Elliott — reportedly set to extend their contracts into 2026. However, these deals are said to hinge on “contractual protection” for the club, ensuring flexibility in the case of injuries late in the season.
Tom Morris from Nine’s Footy Furnace explained:
“The club doesn’t want to be locked into 2026 commitments if, for example, one of them does an ACL late in the year.”
Two veterans, however — Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell — have not yet received reassurances about their futures and must wait until later in the year. Mitchell, a Brownlow medallist, has struggled with a foot injury and hasn’t played senior footy since Round 7.
Club legend Scott Pendlebury, aged 37 and on 414 games, remains determined to eclipse Brent Harvey’s all-time games record of 432. All six veterans have reportedly told the club they intend to play on next year regardless of the 2025 premiership outcome.
In further trade news, Hall of Famer Luke Hodge has advised Carlton’s Tom De Koning to accept a lucrative $12 million offer from St Kilda rather than remain under the intense spotlight at the Blues for a reported $7.5 million.
The AFL’s trade landscape is heating up — and Collingwood is right at the heart of it.
