Collingwood’s ambitious ask for wantaway defender John Noble has been revealed as new list manager Justin Leppitsch makes his presence known.
Leppitsch, a premiership defender for Brisbane in the early 2000s, has transferred his expertise to the football department and is playing an important role in developing the Pies’ 2025 roster.
Shortly after the 2023 premiership season finished, Noble expressed his wish to move north and play for Gold Coast in Queensland to be closer to his father (David, a former North Melbourne coach) and brother.
It was understood that the Pies have shot for the moon and have asked the Suns for Pick 12 in this upcoming draft, according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey, which would help the club get back into the first round after selling its future selection (last year) to secure Lachie Schultz from Fremantle.
Albeit Gold Coast is likely to shirk at the idea of handing over one of their three first-round selections for Noble, it could assist Collingwood in landing a big fish.
Port Adelaide star Dan Houston’s desire to return to Victoria has been widely documented, with links to both St Kilda and Carlton.
The Saints and Blues appear as leading favourites if the two-time All-Australian were to depart Alberton, but could the Pies swoop in?
The Power’s early request for two first-round selections in exchange for Houston might be hard to satisfy, but an exchange of later picks could get the deal done.
Given the depth of the 2024 draft, Port Adelaide is desperate to get into it, with their first selection coming at 37 (pending father-son and academy bids).