Rival AFL clubs are expected to express some level of interest in a fringe Collingwood pair throughout the course of the 2024 season.
Young forward Reef McInnes is among the reigning premiers' crop of off-contract names this year and recently broke back into Craig McRae's senior side for the 12th game of his career.
McInnes excited as a leading forward option for the Magpies against St Kilda last Thursday, booting three goals from 12 disposals to go with three marks and two tackles.
The Magpies' Next Generation Academy product joined Collingwood via the 2020 National Draft following a bid from GWS, and would make his debut in his second year with the club.
After struggling for form, McInnes managed just six games in 2022 before adding a further five appearances last year, again starting with some promise before fading away.
Hoping to piece together a longer run of form and hold his place in McRae's plans, McInnes is expected to be in the sights of rivals should he struggle to contend for a senior spot in the black and white.
According to AFL.com.au's Callum Twomey, McInnes is tipped to gain external interest throughout the coming season.
"He's out of contract. He's only played 12 games since he debuted a couple of years ago. I think he'll be a player that rivals come for and ask the question about," Twomey said on Gettable.
"He's quick, physical and athletic, as we saw last week. He adds something a bit versatile to a forward line mix.
"The Pies will want to keep him, but he is out of contract and is one that if a club came and threw him some more opportunities - if he's not able to hold that spot inside the Collingwood lineup - then he's someone clubs would take a look at."
McInnes' teammate John Noble is another Magpie who is placed on the periphery at selection, having been dropped to the VFL after Opening Round
Noble, while contracted until the end of the 2026 season, has fallen out of favour at selection since last year's finals campaign - which came two months after the dashing defender inked a three-year extension.
News Corp's John Noble revealed Noble is a name at Collingwood who is also expected to garner rival interest given his inability to hold a spot in McRae's side.
"I think there's a lot of clubs out there monitoring," Ralph said of Noble's situation on Fox Footy.Â
"Clubs like Gold Coast, who would love a Jack Sinclair as a half back, but realise they can't get him. [Noble] was dropped for the whole 2023 finals series, he's played 45 minutes of football (for 2024)."
Collingwood have already managed to re-sign Darcy Cameron (2026), Patrick Lipinski (2027), Finlay Macrae (2025) and Isaac Quaynor (2029) this year, leaving the likes of McInnes, Scott Pendlebury, Nathan Murphy, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe, among others, still without deals for 2025.
