A player movement bombshell was dropped on the opening day of the 2023 Trade Period with Fremantle’s Lachie Schultz requesting a trade to Collingwood.
There was no indication that the 25-year-old wanted out of the Dockers until Monday, but the small forward has asked for a move to the Magpies for personal reasons.
While the Magpies already have a raft of quality small forwards, Kane Cornes believes Schultz suits Collingwood perfectly and might immediately become the reigning premiers’ best forward.
Given that Schultz plays a selfless role but still managed 33 goals in 2023, Cornes believes every team would love the tenacious tackler in their line-up.
“He does suit their needs, I think he becomes Collingwood's best forward. I think Schultz now is their best forward,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.
“I don't think that's a stretch to say, he's got such a well-rounded game … yep the Pies have got some other issues (on their list), particularly with Nathan Murphy and there are some questions over his future and that was why Collingwood were also interested in Tom Doedee.
“But Schultz is just perfect. I mean, every team would love Lachie Schultz in their side.”
Brad Johnson says every Victorian team would have loved Schultz to nominate them and he tipped the forward option to immediately become a fan-favourite at Collingwood if he gets his trade wish.
“There are eight other Victorian teams that would have loved that nomination from Lachie Schultz and the Pies get it and they'll make this happen,” Johnson said.
“We don't see him enough and honestly, I've done a lot of Fremantle games (for Fox Footy), I've seen this guy play a lot of footy and his development has been exceptional.
“He is a genuine worker, he is the guy you want in your team.
“He's extremely tough, he works his backside off, his ability to get up and down the ground consistently is first class.
“He slots straight in and will have an immediate impact. Pies fans will love this guy from day one because he’s a worker and we all love a guy that that pushes like a Lachie Schultz to perform well every week.”
Schultz’s pending departure comes on the back of multiple years where quality players have walked away from Fremantle including Blake Acres, Griffin Logue, Rory Lobb, Adam Cerra and others.
While the Dockers stated that Schultz is a required player and may not get his trade wish unless Collingwood comes to the party, Johnson doesn’t expect the club to stand in his way of the move.
“I don't think they will take a stand here, only because of I think some of the layers underneath this,” Johnson said.
“It's not out in the public arena, but Peter Bell did say yesterday that it's not just the fact that he’s using that go-home factor to get out of the footy club.
“There are some layers there that are quite personal that is the reason why Lachie is asking for that return home and then to play his footy here in Victoria to be closer to family.
“I suppose we wait and if it does come out, it does, if it doesn't, that sort of stuff doesn't concern you at all.
“I just trust the fact that (Fremantle GM of footy) Peter Bell's an honest guy and speaks openly and honestly about these sorts of things and he's straight up, so I think they will eventually get the deal done only because of that.
“If there wasn't that facet of it, I would be sticking to my guns and having Lachie Schultz remain at the club.”
Currently, Collingwood is armed with pick 18, but that selection is expected to slide once Academy bids and free agency compensation is finalised.
As a result, Johnson expects Fremantle to ask for that selection and an add-on in negotiations and he pondered whether the Dockers could target a premiership player to join their ranks in the trade.
“Well, it could be a future (pick) in there as well,” Johnson said.
“There has to be something else added to that as well, it 18 plus Ginnivan, that’s just an example. I know other clubs have been into Ginnivan as well and like the way that he goes about his footy.
“Fremantle could ask for McCreery, I know that Collingwood won't want to get rid of McCreery, but he's a similar type of player (to Schultz).
“He’s a worker, a tackler, he doesn't score as much as Schultz, but at least he's a competitive beast in the forward half of the ground.
“That's what Fremantle are losing here. So, can they look at that as a potential option?
“It could be first round plus a player to get this deal done.”
Schultz, who hails from the Victorian/NSW border town of Moama, comes out of contract at the end of the 2024 season where he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.