Collingwood General Manager of Football Graham Wright has spoken on the club's interest for two potential targets in the upcoming trade period.
Geelong's Nathan Kreuger and the Bulldogs' Patrick Lipinski have both expressed a desire to pursue more opportunities elsewhere, with Collingwood looming as a likely destination for the duo.
Kreuger has struggled to break into Geelong's best-22, managing only two games since getting drafted in 2018.
Wright confirmed on Trade Radio that Collingwood had reached out to the Cats regarding Kreuger, with plans to use the 22-year-old as a forward.
“We had a chat to Geelong the other day, so hopefully that can all happen,” Wright said.
“I’m always a little bit hesitant to talk about players that are not at your club, but it’s been pretty widely reported that we’d like him to come.
“He’ll be more a forward than a defender. I know he played as a defender this year but he’s 196(cm), he’s got speed and he’s somebody who competes really well.
“For us it’s an area of need and from an age demographic perspective, he’s a 22-year-old. We’re hoping there’s some upside to him.”
On Tuesday, Lipinski requested a trade to Collingwood after missing out on a spot in the Bulldogs' Grand Final side.
Wright admitted the Pies hadn't yet spoken to the Dogs but believe Lipinski has some good footy ahead of him.
“Patty Lipinski has found it difficult to get into a really good Bulldogs team, so he hasn’t played a lot,” Wright added
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“The age demographic suited us, but he also adds depth positionally to a number of spots – he can play half-forward, wing, on-ball, half-back. He’s got the ability to play in all those spots.
“He just hasn’t been able to get a run at the Bulldogs and was looking for opportunity and we’re really keen to see if that can happen.
“At this stage, we haven’t spoken to the Bulldogs, so we’re hopeful that can happen as well.”
With no first-round picks and the likely selection of father-son prospect Nick Daicos in this year's draft, Collingwood might have to get creative to satisfy trades for the pair.
The Bulldogs' loss is set to be Collingwood's gain. #AFL https://t.co/Rl1Xw7weko
— Zero Hanger (@zerohanger) September 30, 2021
Wright has little concern in regard to acquiring draft points to land the highly talented teenager.
“Regardless of what points you’ve got in this year’s draft, you can get him and go into deficit for next year, if need be," he said.
“We’ve made a commitment to Nick and his family that we would get him in and he wants to be with us, so we’ll match a bid wherever it is."
