Pies confident on Treloar, not Aish

Collingwood are confident of trading for GWS onballer Adam Treloar but less optimistic of orchestrating a deal for Brisbane midfielder James Aish.

The talented duo have both requested to be traded to the Pies but while Treloar looks set for a relatively smooth passage, the Lions remain steadfast in their desire to either convince Aish to stay or send him into the pre-season draft.

Both Treloar’s management and Collingwood football boss Neil Balme expressed confidence a deal would be done with the Giants on Friday.

But Balme took a dim view of Brisbane’s hardline stance with regard to Aish.

“I think Collingwood are way down the list of priorities in terms of what happens here, but where’s the individual’s right?” Balme said of the impasse on SEN Radio on Friday.

“What’s the right thing for the club to do? I mean, what sort of an environment would you be providing if you’re making people stay?

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

Friday marked the start of the free agency period with the AFL’s trade window to open on Monday.

Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield’s path to Geelong remains up in the air with West Coast’s Scott Selwood the subject of the only free agent paperwork officially lodged with the AFL.

As expected, the Cats made an offer for the restricted free agent, with Selwood informing the Eagles of his desire to return to Victoria to play with brother Joel.

The 25-year-old was left out of West Coast’s grand final side but the club has three days to decide whether it will choose to match Geelong’s offer.

Fremantle look set to land troubled Gold Coast star Harley Bennell, with manager Colin Young expressing confidence the Dockers are keen to satisfy the Suns in a trade.

Young also manages Greater Western Sydney’s Cameron McCarthy, who also wants to join Freo, but is less confident that the Giants will agree to part with the contracted forward.

While Gold Coast are set to lose Charlie Dixon, who wants to go to Port Adelaide, and Zac Smith, who is seeking greater opportunities, along with Bennell, the Suns are right in the Hunt for Melbourne’s Jeremy Howe, who is also mulling offers from two Victorian clubs.

“I think he’s more likely to go than stay at this stage,” manager Ben Niall told Trade Radio.

“What we’re looking for is if he gets in the right environment and he can play in one role, which has been an issue for him, and master that role because he’s got enormous capacities, the money will take care of itself.

“We think, and a lot of the clubs we’ve spoken to, they have got more of a Jack Gunston-type of role for him to use his tool kit.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!