Trade talk: Collingwood's "audacious" plan to recruit rival star

The Magpies are attempting one of the great recruiting heists, with their eyes set on wantaway rival star Charlie Curnow.

The Blues’ key man has expressed his desire to leave the club, wishing to escape the limelight of the Melbourne media in a shift outside of the major football sphere.

That said, 7News reporter Xander McGuire has revealed that Collingwood are willing to take a punt at Curnow, with the intention of the contracted Carlton star leading their forward line in 2026 and beyond.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than two of the biggest clubs in the land fighting it out over one of the biggest names in the game,” McGuire told 7News.

“I can tell you that Collingwood is launching an audacious bid to land Charlie Curnow for 2026 and beyond.

“With Jamie Elliott and Brodie Mihocek potentially on the out, they could have the salary cap and the on-field space to do it.

“We know that Charlie wants out of the Blues for lifestyle-related reasons. He wants to live by the beach and get out of the Carlton spotlight which is why Geelong, Gold coast and Sydney have been at the top of his list.

“But it hasn’t stopped the Pies from asking the question of him. Key to their ambition is his relationship with Josh and Nick Daicos, who he is a business partner within their alcoholic Beveridge venture, ‘Barry’s’, and of course that he could behanded the keys to a forward line that is currently contending for premierships.

“They say you miss 100 per cent of the shots that you don’t take, and that’s clearly the Pies’ recruiting mantra.”

With Curnow under contract until 2029, the Blues have remained steadfast in their campaign to keep the dual Coleman Medallist at the club for the foreseeable future.