The 2025 trade period was ultimately a quiet one for the Collingwood Magpies, a year on from their 2024 frenzy, which saw them land All-Australian Dan Houston and former Giants defender Harry Perryman.
Aside from a couple of pick swaps with rival clubs, the only notable trade involving Collingwood was for the promising, though inexperienced, Swans forward Jack Buller for a third-round draft selection.
That didn't stop the rumour mill from going into overdrive, however, with the Magpies sensationally linked to a potential "wildcard" move in the final days of the trade period, as Jordan De Goey's future at Collingwood became uncertain as the 29-year-old enters the final two years of his contract.
Despite no trade talks eventuating between the Magpies and rival clubs pining for De Goey's talents, Collingwood General Manager of List and Talent Strategy Justin Leppitsch suggested that an exit from the black-and-white guernsey may not be out of the question in 2026 as the club and De Goey weigh up their long-term plans.
"We've spoken to his management more about the long-term," Leppitsch said on AFL Trade Radio on Thursday.
"Jordan's still got two years to run. He would like to look at what point that long-term contract is going to come to finish his career. That's really where the conversations end and started [this year].
"This time next year, we will look at that."
Leppitsch clarified that conversations between De Goey's management and the club occurred this year, but neither party demonstrated intent to get a move completed this off-season.
"Jordan has been really mature, understanding where we stand and where our team is going to be in 12 months," Leppitsch said.
"The tone of the conversation is... where should I be deployed, and is it with Collingwood? It was never once anyone driving Jordan wanting to leave or us wanting to drive him out."
While De Goey's dynamic ability across a variety of attacking and midfield roles makes him arguably a top-five player on Collingwood's playing list, his run-ins with consistent injury concerns have limited his influence since signing the five-year extension in 2022.
De Goey was a pivotal player in Collingwood's 2023 Grand Final victory, but has played just the 24 games since, including 11 this year due to soft-tissue, concussion and Achilles issues, which may play a factor in Collingwood's willingness to let him go in the near future.
The Magpies are also prepared to make calls on their uncontracted players for 2026, as meetings between the club and those without a guaranteed list spot take place on Friday.
After failing to land any of the available midfield weapons on the trade block this year, including Clayton Oliver and Jy Simpkin, 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell may get a renewal for 2026 to maintain Collingwood's midfield depth.
"We've got meetings [with uncontracted players] where we pick up the pieces of what's left. Obviously, we didn't know whether Jy Simpkin was going to enter the building or not," Leppitsch said.
"Every decision like that has a flow-on effect down. Tom Mitchell will be in that with Mason Cox, Lachie Sullivan... there's a few of our boys that are waiting on answers that need them, and we want to get that to them ASAP."
