Tony Shaw Calls for Collingwood to Make Extraordinary Trade Move After Prelim Loss
Collingwood’s premiership defence came to a shattering halt with their preliminary final defeat, and already the post-mortem has begun. Among the strongest voices in the aftermath was club legend Tony Shaw, who has urged the Magpies to consider an “extraordinary” trade move to ensure the club does not stagnate in 2026.
Shaw, a former Collingwood captain and premiership coach, didn’t mince words when reflecting on the loss, which saw the Pies outclassed in key areas by a hungrier opponent. While he praised the fight of senior figures like Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, and Darcy Moore, Shaw argued the list needs a bold shake-up if the club wants to return to the summit quickly.
“Collingwood can’t just lick their wounds and hope it’ll be different next year,” Shaw said on SEN. “The competition is brutal, and sides like Brisbane, Carlton, and Sydney are only getting stronger. We’ve got to look at something extraordinary in the trade period—whether that’s moving on a big name to bring in draft capital, or targeting a star midfielder who can turn games on their head.”
Midfield Reinforcement the Priority
According to Shaw, the Magpies’ most pressing issue is in the midfield. While Jordan De Goey has often shouldered the responsibility as Collingwood’s explosive clearance player, the lack of consistent support around him was exposed in the finals. Jack Crisp and Tom Mitchell battled hard, but their impact was blunted, while younger on-ballers such as Fin Macrae and Harvey Harrison are yet to prove they can carry the load in high-pressure contests.
“Every premiership side in the last five years has had a midfield stacked with multiple A-graders,” Shaw explained. “I’m not sure Collingwood have that at the moment. That’s where a bold trade has to come in. If it means sacrificing someone from another line to get that superstar, you do it.”
Shaw even floated the possibility of parting ways with a popular player to open the door for new talent, stressing that sentimentality cannot outweigh list management.
Potential Trade Targets
While Shaw stopped short of naming specific players the Magpies should chase, speculation has already linked Collingwood to several high-profile midfielders potentially on the move. Adelaide’s Josh Rachele, Sydney’s Chad Warner, and Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver have all been mentioned in industry circles as stars who could become available under the right circumstances.
Landing any of those names would require a blockbuster trade package, possibly involving established Collingwood players and early draft picks. Shaw believes such a move would be worth the gamble.
“Sometimes you’ve got to roll the dice,” he said. “This club was brave a few years ago when they reshaped the list, and it eventually delivered a flag. They’ve got to be brave again.”
The Danger of Standing Still
The Magpies’ preliminary final exit was their worst performance since Craig McRae took over as coach, and Shaw warned against complacency. He noted that while the club’s culture and game style remain strong, the league has caught up to Collingwood’s brand of fast, daring football.
“Everyone studies the premier, and over time they find ways to break you down,” Shaw said. “That’s what we saw in the prelim—the opposition suffocated Collingwood’s ball movement and exposed them around the stoppages. You can’t just assume that improvement from within will be enough.”
A Tough Summer Ahead
Collingwood’s list management team now faces a critical few months. Decisions must be made on veterans nearing the end of their careers, while balancing the need to develop youth and chase immediate success. With the club’s salary cap tight, orchestrating a major trade will require creativity and ruthlessness.
Shaw, though, believes the premiership window remains open—if the Magpies are willing to make the tough calls.
“They’ve still got the bones of a great side,” he said. “But to win another flag, you sometimes have to do something extraordinary. That’s the challenge now—are they prepared to take that risk?”
For Collingwood fans still reeling from the preliminary final heartbreak, the coming trade period may provide the first glimpse of whether the club heeds Shaw’s warning or opts for a steadier path.
