Nathan Freeman’s manager has moved to quash suggestions the Collingwood midfielder wants to leave the club for more money.
The injury-plagued youngster – a former top 10 draft pick – hasn’t played a game in his two seasons at Collingwood, but told the club on Wednesday he wanted to be traded.
Freeman’s manager Paul Connors said after two years of hamstring injuries Freeman felt he would have greater opportunity with a fresh start at another club.
He said Collingwood’s strong midfield stocks in Jack Crisp, Levi Greenwood and potential GWS recruit Adam Treloar had influenced Freeman’s decision.
“Is Collingwood happy? No they’re upset, because they’ve invested a lot of time,” Connors told SEN Radio on Thursday.
“He wants to play footy.
“To say he’s just leaving because he’s getting more money, it’s not as simple as that.”
St Kilda is tipped to be heavily in the race for Freeman, with North Melbourne also reportedly interested.
Connors said Freeman, the No. 10 selection at the 2013 national draft, started to consider his future at the club after initial contract negotiations broke down.
“Initially there was a discussion and the offer we thought was unreasonable,” Connors said.
“So that made him feel that he wanted to have a think about his position and whether he saw a long-term future for himself (at Collingwood).”
Collingwood’s 2010 premiership captain Nick Maxwell, who trained alongside Freeman in 2014, said he had huge potential.
“I reckon he’s a gun,” Maxwell told SEN on Wednesday.
“I compared him after his first pre-season to like (Patrick) Dangerfield.