Rival club reportedly offers eight-game Pie long-term deal to leave Collingwood

Port Adelaide has reportedly offered Collingwood’s Joe Richards a four-year contract, according to Channel Seven’s Mitch Cleary.

Speaking on the Tradies Podcast, Cleary revealed that the Power are trying to lure the Magpie to Alberton with his current contract coming to an end at the end of the 2024 season.

Richards, 24, has played just eight games for the Magpies after being drafted as a mature-age player in 2022 from Wangaratta in the Ovens and Murray Football League.

While Richards has shown some solid signs for the Magpies averaging 10.5 disposals and 0.6 goals per game, Cleary says that the Pies haven’t offered him a deal “anywhere near” as long as the Power offer.

As a result, the small forward has a big decision to make this off-season.

“He’s played eight games this year for Collingwood and he’s coming to the end of his initial two-year draft contract,” Cleary

“He turns 25 at the end of this year and this is a guy who was drafted as a mature-ager as a high school teacher aide up near Wangaratta.

“He’s been offered a four-year deal by the Power and he’s played eight games, which shows that when the Power latch onto someone (they go all-in).

“They went hard at Ratugolea last year and got him, they’re not mucking about, they’ve offered this guy four years and he’s played eight games.

“They’re keen on small forwards and Joe Richards is a guy they’ve identified.

“Collingwood’s offered him a deal too, but it won’t be anywhere near that, so he’s got a decision to make.”

Richards had 25 disposals, 10 inside 50s and kicked two goals in last Saturday’s VFL win over Brisbane in the club’s last state-league game for the 2024 season.