The delisted veteran Melbourne should go after and why rookie rules could see a team “get burnt”
Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy wonders whether Melbourne could pinch Sam Reid out from under Sydney’s nose.
The Swans made the call to delist the veteran forward in order to move him to their rookie list.
However, a team could jump in ahead of them and offer him a spot on their senior list via delisted free agency.
We’ve seen this happen before with Gold Coast delisting Hugh Greenwood before North Melbourne swooped in and offered him a longer deal.
“The one that I think – if I’m Melbourne for instance – I’m looking at Sam Reid,” Healy told SEN’s Sportsday.
“I mean, they’re chasing all over the place looking for a fill-in forward. Well, Sam Reid played well against them in a final last year.
“He’s had an injury interrupted career unfortunately, but geez, 2022 was his best year.
“I’d be concerned if I was a coach that you may lose this gamble.”
Collingwood has reportedly met with Chad Wingard, who was similarly delisted by Hawthorn. The 30-year-old tore his Achilles in Round 22 and will likely miss most of 2024, with the Hawks wanting to move him off their primary list while he recovers.
Kane Cornes loved Collingwood’s attempt to snare the talented forward, saying he hopes more teams “get burnt” by these re-rookie moves – rules he has previously called “a farce”.
“What did you think of Collingwood reportedly having a chat with Chad Wingard? I loved it,” Cornes said.
“Someone is going to get burnt by this. These stupid rookie rules where you can delist and then re-list and re-rookie. I liked it from Collingwood.
“I hope someone does get burnt by it. I think for the clubs up the top, they have to come up with innovative ways to stay up the top.
“And it might be ‘can we get two years out of Chad Wingard?’
“At his best, he’s an All-Australian. Can they revitalise him and get his body right? Back in your fitness program and go that way.
“You’re not going to have the draft picks. They’ve given up a top pick for Lachie Schultz.
“I thought, good on Collingwood for trying to have a crack under Hawthorn’s nose.”
Healy believes the Pies can afford to make a move for a player who may not feature in 2024 given their depth.
“I liked it. I’m not sure he’d be the one I’d go for,” Healy said.
“But Collingwood is thinking they could stock a player like him for a while because they’ve got a couple like him.
“But he might just come in late in the year and have an influence. Wingard in a great side is going to be a better player than him in a side at the bottom of the ladder.”