Why the Magpies’ two leading goalkickers are yet to sign on for 2026

Collingwood are set to enter a premiership-or-bust finals campaign with their two leading goalkickers in 2025, Jamie Elliott (52 goals) and Brody Mihocek (36), still yet to re-commit to the club for 2026.

The Magpies accumulated experience in the past two years by trading first-round picks for ready-made additions Lachie Schultz and Dan Houston as they try to win a second premiership in three seasons under coach Craig McRae. They are also interested in securing Blues free agent Jack Silvagni in this trade period.

They re-signed Scott Pendlebury this month for a 21st season, while important defender Jeremy Howe has also quietly re-committed for another year and Steele Sidebottom is poised to do the same after again proving their value during 2025.

Will Hoskin-Elliott will retire at season’s end, and the future is uncertain for fellow veterans Tom Mitchell and Mason Cox, who both played in the 2023 premiership. Cox and Mitchell played in the losing VFL team that exited the finals on Sunday.

Elliott, 33, and Mihocek, who turns 33 in February, have been wanting to focus on finals before re-signing, with Elliott having a history of waiting until the end of the season before locking in with Collingwood.

Elliott has been linked with Gold Coast, but the Suns have not had any discussions with the player’s management about any move, nor has there been any suggestion from the Elliott camp that he is interested in moving.

Elliott, who made this year’s All-Australian squad, has family in Queensland and famously toured Brisbane’s facilities at the Gabba three years ago before re-signing with the Pies.

Collingwood have presented him with a two-year offer, which could take him through to the end of his career, but he is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and knows this looms as his last multi-year deal.

Elliott, who has kicked 339 goals in 217 matches, would attract significant interest from other clubs if he can’t reach an agreement with Collingwood.

Mihocek wants the same two-year security as Elliott, and there is a risk he will finish his career elsewhere if a rival club decides he is worth it.

Rookie Roan Steele was the sub on Friday night against Melbourne and has been impressive since joining the club as a mid-season rookie, while Lachie Sullivan was a regular member of the team before he was injured against Richmond. Both players are likely to earn another deal.

Harley stays an Eagle

West Coast have locked in No.1 draft pick Harley Reid until 2028 in a massive coup for the club at the start of a massive rebuild.

The announcement comes just days after skipper Oscar Allen told the Eagles he was leaving the club as a restricted free agent to join the Brisbane Lions.

Reid was already contracted until 2026 on a standard three-year deal after being taken with the first pick of the 2023 national draft, so the new deal is an extension of two seasons.

Reid polled seven Brownlow votes in his brilliant opening season but made a slow start in 2025 as he battled injury through the pre-season and took time to find form. The young Eagle has had multiple clubs waiting to see whether he would settle in Western Australia, with Hawthorn extremely keen on the 20-year-old.

Reid’s decision is an endorsement of new coach Andrew McQualter and the club’s direction.

“Since the day I arrived in Perth, the West Coast Eagles members and fans have been so supportive of me and our team, and the future with our young squad is super exciting,” Reid said.

“Playing at Optus Stadium in front of our fans is an unbelievable experience and I love representing the club.

“The support from our coaches and my teammates has been amazing over the last two years, and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop my game and helping the team climb back up the ladder.

“I can’t wait for the 2026 season and beyond to see what we can achieve together.”

Reid’s decision could make the Eagles more open to trading the contracted Liam Ryan, who requested a trade on Tuesday. The Eagles said in a statement the 28-year-old premiership player remained a required player, but agreed to continue discussions with Ryan and his management about a possible trade. St Kilda are leading the race for his services as they look for an experienced small forward to join their line-up.

West Coast are also in the hunt for Brisbane Lions free agent Brandon Starcevich, however they would need to be prepared to trade to secure him so they do not dilute their compensation for losing Allen, which is expected to be pick No.2.

First-round draft selection Campbell Chesser has also received a two-year offer to remain at the Eagles after playing in the final four games following ankle surgery on the eve of the season. The 22-year-old has, however, attracted interest from a Victorian club looking to build their midfield depth.

From Albury, Chesser has played 36 matches since being selected with pick No.14 in the 2021 national draft.

Clubs warned: Pure draft at top end on the horizon

Football managers were told last week to be prepared for changes to be made to draft rules in 2026 as the AFL investigates the prospect of clubs being denied priority access to potential father-son and next-generation academy selections in the first round.

The AFL was unable to provide any details of the meeting led by football performance boss Greg Swann, but clubs left forewarned that they should keep the prospect of changes in mind as they draft future selections and position themselves to gain talent over which they have priority access.

Club officials have already been suggesting the system would be best served by leaving it alone for a period of time to give the changes introduced this season – via a new draft value index, less discounts for priority-access players, and the ability to trade future picks two years in advance – a chance to have an impact.

However, there is sympathy for the notion that clubs should pay a fair price for father-son selections.

The Brisbane Lions added father-son duo Will and Levi Ashcroft, as well as Jaspa Fletcher, in the 2022 and 2024 national drafts while being in premiership contention. The Ashcroft brothers were rated as top-five selections in both drafts, but the Lions secured the pair using a collection of second- and third-round picks.

But clubs such as Carlton, who have highly rated father-sons Harry Dean (son of Peter) and Cody Walker (son of Andrew) coming through the pipeline in the next two years, and Essendon, who could secure Koby Bewick (son of Darren) in 2027, will hope any changes to father-son rules are introduced gradually.

Delistings at Kangaroos and Saints as Demons sign veterans

North Melbourne delisted Eddie Ford, Kallan Dawson, Miller Bergman and Brynn Teakle on Tuesday, and St Kilda announced that Harry Boyd and Angus McLennan would not be offered contracts next season.

Ford played 40 matches, Dawson 19, Bergman 16 and Teakle 15 for the Kangaroos. Boyd played one match for the Saints after being a pre-season supplemental selection, while McLennan played three matches.

Meanwhile, Melbourne re-signed veterans Jake Melksham and Tom McDonald for 2026 after solid seasons from the pair.

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