The AFL off-season scene is heating up into a high-stakes, multi-club chase, with Collingwood positioned to pursue major targets while other clubs vie to secure premium talent.

Carlton’s bid for Cody Walker under the father-son rule faces new draft rules that affect their ability to match bids and reshapes their overall draft position, alongside ongoing contract talks for Mitch McGovern and young players Talor Byrne and Jack Ison.

Collingwood is eyeing big-name targets beyond the obvious, including Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan, while monitoring Jake Stringer and Cal Shere Dear, though it’s unclear how many players and which ones they will pursue.

The broader market includes potential moves from Giants players like Toby Greene to Geelong and other listed players, with these shifts potentially influencing draft selections and trade outcomes across several teams.

Port Adelaide faces competition for top talent, including a possible long-term offer to Zak Butters, as multiple clubs show interest and the likelihood of a match on any offer sheet by Port complicates targeting first-round picks.

Collingwood is pursuing an aggressive off-season to contend for another premiership, even as an aging list presents a challenge for maintaining peak competitiveness.