It’s not difficult to mount a case for Collingwood allowing Brayden Maynard to leave and take up an excessively generous offer from another club, for the benefit of all parties. Maynard would get significantly more money than he’s on at Collingwood, over a term of at least four years, should he exercise his free agency rights and walk. Brayden Maynard is a heart-and-soul figure at the Pies.
Credit: AFL Photos Collingwood, who have depleted their draft capital to dangerously low levels, would gain a decent compensation pick, potentially at the end of the first round or perhaps even a first-rounder (albeit Maynard is 28 years old, not 26). The Magpies would be taking one of the first steps of a necessary list regeneration, as a slew of veterans exit, and opening up cap space. The new club would be gaining a flexible defender with unusual aggression, a powerful left boot and a devoted teammate, who knows the contours of a successful environment.
North Melbourne are one of the main suitors for Collingwood’s robust defender, though they have not tabled him an offer and aren’t looking at a term as long as six years. North aren’t the only club with Maynard on their list of targets. He will appeal to a few emerging teams who lack a touch of sinister sauce in their line-up.
He would suit Adelaide down to the ground, and potentially Essendon, Gold Coast and maybe the Bulldogs. Talks between Maynard’s management and Collingwood have paused for a few weeks. We can rule out Me.
