Delisted Collingwood wingman Trent Bianco hopes to find a new AFL home this off-season.
Bianco was among five delistings announced by Collingwood last week, with the 22-year-old finishing his time at the AIA Centre with 23 games to his name across four seasons.
The smooth mover was let go by the Magpies after his contract ran out and he admits he had an inkling that his time at the club was set to come to an end.
“Obviously, I was out of contract the whole year,” Bianco told SEN Breakfast.
“So, it's always in the back of your mind, but you don't really worry about it until the last month or so, you don't really think about it.
“Then it starts getting closer and closer and then you start thinking about it a bit more and then it gets to the exit (meetings).
“I still didn't know whether I was getting another contract or not. But I had a little inkling that I wasn't going to be there next year.”
After being let go by Collingwood, Bianco was asked if there were any AFL clubs in particular that he feels he’d be a good fit at.
The versatile outside user named two Victorian clubs where he feels he could fit in at going forward.
“Yeah, absolutely, I've had a good look at some other teams,” Bianco said.
“I like the look of Geelong and the Western Bulldogs but obviously there's a lot of things to play out from here.
“I watch a lot of footy so it'd be hard not to see where I couldn't fit in.”
With Collingwood’s season only finishing 10 days ago, Bianco says he’s taken a mini break but is now getting back into training to be ready to go if another club offers him a lifeline.
“The last week or so I've just taken a little bit of a bit of a relaxing back step to get the feet up,” Bianco said.
“Then this week I’ll look to start getting in the gym again and I'm going on a little bit of a run or two to just be ready.
“If my name's called, I’m ready to go.”
Bianco played a variety of positions for Collingwood at both levels but he feels wing is where he’s best suited compared to midfield, half-back and half-forward.
“I think on the wing is my best spot,” Bianco said.
“I didn't play (wing) a whole heap at Collingwood in the AFL, which was disappointing.
“Some of my best games in the AFL came on the wing. I know this year I moved to half-back in the VFL, and I really enjoyed it back there so it gives me good confidence that I can go back and forward.”
While Bianco named the Dogs and Cats as clubs he could see himself playing for, he says he’s happy to go wherever he could grab an opportunity.
“Whatever the best option would be for me. I’d just look for opportunity at this point in my career four years in,” Bianco said.
“It wouldn't matter where I go at this point. I’d just love to find a new home.”
Bianco played 12 games in 2021 and 10 games in 2022. He appeared just once at AFL level in 2023 as a tactical substitute.