Every club wants a crafty forward to add to their list this off-season and help guide them to their next premiership – but sometimes, they can cost an arm and a leg.
So, what about the more value picks on the market?
Speaking on Fox Footy’s digital-only segment of Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalists Lauren Wood, Jon Ralph and Josh Barnes discussed the potential usefulness of seven out-of-favour forwards that could be a bargain for your club in 2025.
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GWS talent on the move in trade season? | 01:27
NATHAN KREUGER
A regular topic of discussion on Collingwood’s out-of-contract players of late has been Nathan Kreuger, who after 13 games in three years at the Magpies officially has his future in the air.
And while the Pies are still yet to offer the 196cm big man a contract beyond 2024, Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph believes they black and white would be silly to not keep him in their colours.
“(He’s) from Geelong, has gone to Collingwood, he played a really good month of football there and then got concussed – and then Dan McStay came back (from injury) and took his spot in that side,” Ralph said.
“He can play as a ruck and forward, predominantly forward – which is very rare in the AFL fraternity – he has got suitors out there, Collingwood (are) still considering whether to give him an offer.
“If I was Collingwood, I would get him quick smart, because there’s not a lot of players that play forward and then chop out in the ruck. Snap him up Collingwood, or someone else will.”
“We’re talking forwards; he also played his first game in the AFL as a key defender, so he can play anywhere on the field you need him,” colleague Josh Barnes added.
Kreuger’s best performance this season came in the Magpies’ King’s Birthday clash where he kicked three goals from 11 disposals.
MATT OWIES
Certainly, one of the more baffling out-of-contract players at this stage of the season is Owies, who played all 23 home-and-away games this season for his 33 goals.
And while he was the sub twice and subbed as many times, the 179cm crafty forward has been integral in providing the Blues at least a shot at the 2024 premiership.
A former Category B rookie, there is no doubt that should Carlton not offer Owies a suitable deal, there will be clubs lining up for his services.
“Before his (Round 24) suspension, he was one of the few players that had played every game this year for the Blues – that’s no mean feat at Princes Park given the injuries,” Barnes explained.
“I can’t believe he doesn’t have a contract yet … he has to be getting a strong deal, and if he’s not, surely there are suitors lining up.”
“He ticks a lot of boxes … you snap him up as a bargain, and he kicks you 30 goals a season!”
Owies will miss this Saturday night’s elimination final against Brisbane through suspension, but is expected to slot straight back into the side should they win up at the Gabba.
JACK MARTIN
The teammate of Owies has unfortunately had nowhere near as much luck at getting on the park this season, playing just three out of 23 games this season for Carlton.
And coming to the end of his five-dear deal at Ikon Park, the 29-year-old could be squeezed out amid the Blues’ salary cap squeeze and his injury woes.
“I think we get seduced by talent; he’s played three AFL games this year (and) he’s broke down (with injury) in two of them,” Ralph said.
“I don’t think the offer will be fore coming at Carlton, but there’s clubs like Fremantle and West Coast … you can tuck him away, he’s your 43rd spot on a list; it may be that he never plays AFL again, but if you can get him for six, or eight or 10 games when the whips are cracking next year, he could just win you a final.
“He’s hard, he kicks goals, he’s silky – he’s a triple threat.”
Barnes agreed that while Martin’s best would be invaluable to any club, his history on the sidelines would need to be considered deeply by anyone looking to pick him up.
“He’s just so enticing Jack Martin … he kicked 24 goals in 2017, that was the last time he played more than 16 games,” Barnes added.
TIM MEMBREY
After a dozen years in the system, Saints tall Tim Membrey could be on the move to a third club – still with plenty to give in front of the big sticks.
His 2024 season produced 30 goals from 19 games, including a five-goal haul from 23 disposals only weeks ago in Round 19 against West Coast.
Despite this, he may be best suited to move out of Moorabbin with plenty still to unfold for Ross Lyon’s list management this off-season; despite five delistings and a free agency request.
“He wants to know that he’s very much in St Kilda’s plans, and the feel from St Kilda is: ‘We don’t mind if you look around’,” Ralph revealed.
“As soon as you hear that, (you think) ‘they don’t love me, and so I’ll find a club that will’.
“Clubs out there like North Melbourne are keen, (as are) Melbourne and Collingwood. I still think he’s got a really significant role at St Kilda with Cooper Sharman and the returning Max King.
“Tim always seems to be that reliable, mainstay forward … he can help be that back-up for Max King,” Midweek Tackle host Lauren Wood added.
After two years at Sydney across 2013 and 2014, Membrey has since been a staple in the Saints’ side – at times also deployed down back.
SAM DAY
One of very few inaugural Gold Coast Suns left in the AFL system, key forward Sam Day would be extremely unlucky if he doesn’t find himself a new home in 2025.
And while injuries have plagued an impressive 115-game carer to date, the 31-year-old showed at times in 2024 he can still cause major headaches for opposition defenders.
“He’s had so many horrific injuries … he just keeps coming back in – and you know what he is, he’s reliable,” Ralph stated.
“He hasn’t been officially delisted, so you wait until then … he’s an insurance pick, but he’s a player if you get three or four key injuries you know you can rely on him. You put him on your rookie list … I think he’s a smart acquisition.”
The Suns earlier today announced six delistings, with Day not one of them – making for an interesting next few weeks around his future.
Day kicked 10 goals from five games this season before a plantar fascia issue in his foot ruled him out for the remainder of his Round 17 game against North Melbourne – the same match he clunked a staggering six contested marks, with two goals 11 disposals to go alongside it.
ASH JOHNSON
The Magpies’ 2021 Mid-Season Draft pick-up has proven himself a burst of life in Collingwood’s forward line in recent years, standing up in particular during his side’s frantic flag run during the 2022 finals series in both their qualifying and semi-finals.
His season last year was also notably strong, before a hairline fracture in his arm sidelined him from partaking in their eventual premiership.
Since his fracture, the 27-year-old hasn’t quite been the same – but perhaps another club could help him get back to his best, as he struggled to find consistent game time in the senior side this year.
“As a restoration, I think he’s as exciting as anyone in the competition at his best,” Ralph noted.
“We all know how great he can be, we all know he’s got spectacular hands, we all know he’s really pacy.
“Someone (needs) to give him a tap on the head, a rub on the back and say: ‘We believe in you, and we believe you can lift’.
“If it was me, I’d be trying to pluck Ask Johnson out of Collingwood.”
The medium-sized forward has kicked 36 goals in 27 games since coming to the club, and would be well suited to several other Victorian rivals – if not, to either Western Australia or South Australia where he grew up and previously lived.
REEF MCINNES
After 20 games at Collingwood in four seasons, rival clubs may be swooping the Magpies themselves for Reef McInnes, who arguably would like to have had a greater impact since being taken at Pick 23 in the 2020 National Draft.
“He’s one of those first-round draft picks from 2020 that Collingwood just haven’t got going,” Barnes said.
“I’m not sure where he fits at the moment; he probably just hasn’t shown enough to be a target in the air or on the ground.”
His two three-goal hauls against St Kilda and West Coast respectively this season was reason for Magpies fans to be hopeful, however he was also the substitute in three of his nine games this season – suggesting he perhaps may struggle to retain his place in the side in a period of full health.
The Pies would be inclined to hang onto him if he wishes to stay put, but if the right offer comes about elsewhere, he could well be on the move.
Source Agencies
