Pies “confident” in landing Houston as list boss Leppitsch answers burning trade questions

Collingwood Head of Football Strategy, Innovation and List Management Justin Leppitsch has opened up on several key moves the club could be making this off-season.

As things stand, the Magpies have already secured GWS free agent Harry Perryman on a six-year deal, while they’re also chasing two-time All-Australian Dan Houston from Port Adelaide via a potential trade.

With one player already signed and another one being targeted, the Pies are set to have a couple of outgoings as well, with John Noble requesting a trade to Gold Coast and Joe Richards requesting a move to Port Adelaide.

Collingwood is also said to be chasing Gold Coast’s Pick 13 in Noble trade talks, with the chance of the club’s future first-round pick also heading the Suns’ way alongside the half-back.

Check out some of Leppitsch’s answers to some burning trade period questions below.

On whether they’re confident they can bring Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston to the club

“We are confident,” Leppitsch said on AFL Trade Radio.

“We want to bring him into our footy club, but I guess we’ve got to get the deal done.

“There is lots to play out with him and Port Adelaide … Gold Coast may be involved in that, who knows? There’s a lot to play out.”

On signing free agent Harry Perryman from GWS

“It's nice to start trade period when you've already got a fish in the boat.

“With Harry, we all know what he's like as a player, but the one thing we probably underestimate is his leadership qualities and what he does off the field as well.

“But we're really excited to bring him in.”

On chasing Gold Coast’s first-round pick in John Noble trade talks

“We are talking, which is the positive thing and hopefully we can get a result.

“We're open to anything (using a first-round pick this year if we get it), one thing we want to do is win for now, but also be aware of our future.

“So, if we felt that that using a pick will help us achieve one or the other, we will do that, but we're not going to just give that away.

“We think we've got to give our fans hope for now or the future.”

On what they’ll chase for Joe Richards after the forward requested a trade to Port Adelaide

“I haven't even spoken to Port, to be honest, or Crippa (Jason Cripps) about that.

“We're still a long way to go to sort of finalise the result there.”

On whether they’ll look at Melbourne free agent Adam Tomlinson

“Possibly, we do have some list spot issues.

“We know we've got some key depth issues as well.

“So, that's one, if it does happen, it'll be later on.”