Collingwood Football Club’s head coach, Craig McRae, has engaged in discussions with James Rowbottom, a midfielder for the Sydney Swans, amid ongoing trade negotiations. According to Mitch Cleary, chief AFL reporter for 7NEWS, McRae spoke with Rowbottom on Friday night as the Magpies actively seek to bolster their midfield options.
At just 25 years old, Rowbottom is seen as a potential asset for Collingwood, especially considering the aging roster of some of their veteran players. Cleary indicated that while Rowbottom prefers to remain with the Swans, the final days of the trade window often bring unexpected developments.
The trade landscape has become increasingly dynamic as clubs prepare for the deadline. Charlie Curnow, a key forward with Carlton and a dual All-Australian, is also at the center of attention. The Swans are reportedly keen on acquiring Curnow, who has established himself as one of the league’s leading goal scorers.
Geelong has entered the fray, offering three first-round picks for Curnow. However, it is widely believed that Carlton is looking for established star players in exchange rather than draft picks. The buzz surrounding Curnow has intensified, with the Swans devising strategies to lure him away from Carlton.
The mention of Rowbottom as a trade option has surprised many fans. He served as interim captain for Sydney earlier this year during the injury absence of Callum Mills and emerged as the competition’s top tackler in 2024. Despite his contributions, Rowbottom found himself shifted out of Sydney’s midfield rotation towards the end of the season, spending significant time as a forward.
Sydney has also prompted Ollie Florent to explore opportunities with rival clubs, despite him being under contract for another four years. Florent’s unexpected fall from the team’s favor under new coach Dean Cox led to his time in the VFL, after having played 130 consecutive games.
As the Swans prepare for their offer for Curnow, other names, including Will Hayward, have surfaced in discussions. Rowbottom, Florent, and Hayward are all currently under contract with Sydney, adding complexity to the trade negotiations.
Rowbottom’s manager, Matt Bain, expressed confidence in his client’s commitment to the Swans. “It’s that time of year, clubs have asked the question and no doubt been ringing Sydney about him. He loves the club and the players, I can’t see it happening,” Bain stated.
Adding to this, Chris Keane, Sydney’s list boss, reinforced the likelihood that Rowbottom will remain with the club. “There is not much in those rumours to be honest. We have had no indication about James Rowbottom wanting to leave. Contracted for three more years, we expect him to be here for that period,” Keane said during an interview on Trade Radio.
Keane acknowledged the challenges of the trade period, noting that while Sydney has players interested in potential moves, many are contracted and content in their current environment. “A lot of our players are contracted and happy in Sydney. So that makes it difficult at times to navigate,” he added.
As the trade window nears its conclusion, the situation surrounding Rowbottom and Curnow remains fluid, with fans and clubs eagerly awaiting the final decisions. The next few days are likely to be crucial in determining the futures of these players as the AFL trade period reaches its climax.
