Kane Cornes has floated Collingwood’s Mason Cox as a “stopgap” option for Essendon to bolster their key forward stocks in the short-term.
The Bombers held talks with Cox’s management in 2019 but the then contracted tall ultimately stayed at the Magpies.
The 30-year-old’s future at Collingwood remains in limbo as he waits to see whether he will be offered a new deal for 2022.
Cornes mentioned Cox as an alternative if gun forward Ben King can’t be prised out of the Gold Coast Suns this trade period.
“I just wonder what their play is for Ben King,” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“Are you willing to make a big move now and try and chase that forward that perhaps isn’t there?
“Could you have a stopgap? Could it be a Mason Cox for a year? And then save all your money for Ben King and at least put your hat in the ring.
“Most people would say St Kilda is the obvious one for obvious reasons, but I think you would be negligent not to have a crack.
“The feeling that you get is Ben King’s coming home. I don’t see him extending in this off-season.”
AFL Media’s Mitch Cleary shed more light on King’s future at the Suns with his contract due to expire at the end of 2022.
“I think everyone in footy is aware that he’s going to finish his career in Melbourne, it’s just a matter of when,” Cleary said.
“Is it after his fourth year? Is it after his sixth year?
“Tom Lynch was spoken about at a young age at the Gold Coast Suns, he lasted for eight years as a free agent.
“Same management groups in Paul Connors and Robbie D'Orazio at Connors Sports Management. They’re known among list managers and the clubs that they like to see their players given a good crack at a club.”
King has kicked 89 goals in 53 games for the Suns since he was selected with pick No.6 in the 2018 National Draft.
The 21-year-old booted a career-best 47 majors in 2021.