Melbourne and Sydney are the two clubs that have begun looking into uncontracted Collingwood veteran Brody Mihocek amid a curious contract negotiation.
The Pies have up to 16 players without deals beyond 2025, including a bevy of experienced heads, led by Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom.
It is understood that Mihocek has been offered a one-year deal to remain at the AIA Centre, according to Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph.
But could a longer contract pry him out of Collingwood?
The Demons and Swans, who are in desperate need of a key forward, are set to ask the question of the 32-year-old among half a dozen clubs "making initial inquiries", who has been a focal point of the Pies' attack since being picked up as a mature-age recruit in 2018.
Mihocek kicked 29 goals in 16 outings during his debut year, and has followed that up with hauls of 47 (2023) and 41 (2022) in recent years. He has kicked 32 to date at an average of two majors this year.
A lucrative and compelling offer from a rival could turn his head, especially given his efforts have never fully been recognised since coming through Port Melbourne in the VFL all those seasons ago.
The Pies' push to lure Carlton defender Jack Silvagni on what is understood to be a deal worth four years around $600,000 has also ruffled feathers among those who've been at the club longer.
The forward woes experienced by the Swans and Demons put them in the market for a player like Mihocek, who could act as a stopgap between now and, ideally, the next generation.
In Sydney, they have a litany of emerging forwards such as Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean, while there is also interest in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, and potentially Carlton's Harry McKay, if the club looks to offload his monster deal.
Since Melbourne's 2021 premiership, they have struggled to score, albeit producing a strong defensive game.
The retirement of Ben Brown and Tom McDonald's switch to the backline has put the onus on Jacob van Rooyen, Harrison Petty, Matthew Jefferson and Aidan Johnson. All of which have kicked 12 goals or fewer.
