Imagine Nick Daicos, Lachie Neale and Matt Rowell all in one midfield. That's what Collingwood is pitching to Neale, while providing some on-ball brute alongside recently anointed Brownlow Medallist Daicos.
Rowell is going to become the AFL's biggest name next year as he hits free agency, and has already been chased by a host of Victorian clubs in the previous seasons.
The 2025 Brownlow Medallist assured the Suns he wasn't going anywhere, and will play out the final year of his contract.
But that won't stop rivals making plans and bold pitches to Rowell, with Collingwood wanting to remain aggressive in the trade and free agency space to continue to push for premierships.
Neale is all but set to wear the black and white next year, and according to the Herald Sun, he was let in on the Pies' plan to lure Rowell to Olympic Park.
The link between Rowell and Daicos already exists, with the pair sharing the same guernsey for Carey Grammar during their school days. Ironically, Rowell handed Daicos his maiden Brownlow Medal on Monday night.
“I think Rowell, he's got the runs on the board and he's an absolute superstar. He is an ultimate professional,” Daicos told SEN.
“I was so happy to see him win it last year and he's had an amazing career, and he's got an amazing career ahead of him. Hopefully we can get him back to Melbourne at some point, but he's been unbelievable.”
The Pies had been preparing for an all-out assault on an A-grade player, having pushed for Rowell's teammate Ben King before he ultimately chose Hawthorn.
Collingwood was in the running for Zak Butters, and they used Daicos as part of their pitch. However, he opted to nominate his childhood club, the Western Bulldogs.
The sliding doors of Butters' decision could mean the Bulldogs won't be in the race for Rowell, who has a relationship with Luke Beveridge.
Aside from Neale, the Pies will land Jesse Hogan as a free agent to bolster their key forward stocks, and have strong interest in luring contracted Tiger Jayden Short to the club.
Carlton's Flynn Riley is keen to join the Pies.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has acknowledged the club is interested in bringing in free agents, but will need to improve its pitch.
"We want to be a club that players want to come and play at," McRae said.
"I think just offering the MCG as a, I suppose, carrot - we need to be more than that.
"I think we've got a lot of layers to us and we've got a lot to offer."
