Collingwood appear unlikely to snare either of James Rowbottom from the Swans or Jy Simpkin from North Melbourne in another recruitment blow for Craig McRae. And the Gold Coast Suns have reportedly launched an audacious bid to poach the Brisbane Lions’ vaunted football boss Danny Daly.
Tom Morris of Channel 9 and SEN reported on Sunday night the Suns are “making a bold pitch” to lure Daly away from Lions after he helped Brisbane win back-to-back flags with coach Chris Fagan. Daly is highly-regarded in the industry and recently knocked back an offer from the Melbourne Demons to be part of their head-coach search (which eventually went to Steven King).
Suns coach Damien Hardwick worked with Daly at Richmond from 2009 to 2014. Gold Coast reportedly tried to lure Daly to the club in 2023, before he helped Brisbane win the premiership in 2024 and 2025. His decision to stay put worked wonders for the Lions, and Fagan views Daly as a head coach in waiting.
Daly has previously held roles at Collingwood and North Melbourne, but had made a name for himself in Brisbane. “I know we wouldn’t like to lose him, that’s for sure,” Fagan said in August.
“We talk a lot about football, and I know he’s got that capacity inside him to (be an AFL senior coach) if that’s what he wants to do. That’s completely up to Danny, and others who make those sorts of decisions.”
Daly took over from David Noble as Brisbane’s head of football in November of 2020, having previously been the Lions’ strategy coach. During his time in the role the Lions have made three-straight grand finals and won the last two.
Collingwood cop fresh blow in pursuit of midfielder
Meanwhile, Collingwood’s pursuit of a new midfielder appears destined to fail, with North Melbourne’s asking price for Simpkin too high and Rowbottom declaring he doesn’t want to leave Sydney. The Pies haven’t had much luck on the trade front, with Jack Silvagni choosing St Kilda and Clayton Oliver nominating GWS.
McRae and the Pies are keen on Kangaroos skipper Simpkin, who is frustrated with a lack of midfield minutes at North and has been forced into more of a wing role. But the Roos reportedly want a lot for any trade to go through, and are said to be seeking a player-for-player swap or high first-round pick. With Collingwood having the oldest roster in the AFL, they’d be highly unlikely to give up their best draft assets.
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As for Rowbottom, the Swans midfielder has declared he has no interest in moving from Sydney. Rowbottom had a phone call with McRae on Sunday, but is reportedly intent on telling the Swans he wants to see out his contract (until the end of 2029). AFL clubs aren’t allowed to trade players against their will.
Teammates Will Hayward and Ollie Florent are also said to be on the trading block, and could be part of a swap deal with Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow. The Swans are believed to be the only club in play for Curnow after the Blues rejected an offer from Geelong.
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