Collingwood makes call on Jeremy Howe, Josh Fraser won’t enter Carlton coaching search this week, Lachie Neale tours Magpies facility, latest news

Lachie Neale has given his biggest hint yet on where his AFL future lies beyond this season, while Collingwood has made its first big call on its veterans.

Plus, the latest on Josh Fraser’s entry into the Carlton coach search, and Sam Mitchell’s decision on his own future. Read on in AFL Daily.

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FRASER GIVEN TIME TO MAKE BLUES COACH CALL

Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser won’t be forced to make a call on entering the club’s search this week, having previously planned to do so.

Fraser has been mourning the death of his father since last Thursday, still coaching the Blues to a ninth win from 11 attempts on Saturday night by thumping Brisbane.

Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham, St Kilda’s Corey Enright, Geelong’s James Kelly and Hawthorn’s Daniel Giansiracusa are all in the race for the full-time job to replace Michael Voss.

Fraser had been asked to make a decision on whether he’ll apply this week, but he has now been given extended time.

“Josh has been told he needs make no decision … there’s a lot to work through there (on the family front),” Gerard Whateley said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

TASMANIA MAKES ITS FIRST POACHING

The first man poached by Tasmania from a rival AFL club is Geelong assistant Nigel Lappin.

Seven’s Mitch Cleary reports the long-time Cats development coach will join the Devils after the 2026 season as their first head of development.

He’ll play a crucial role in leading up to a dozen 17-year-old prospects who can be pre-signed by Tasmania, a year before their draft year, and then paid to play VFL in 2027.

They would then join the AFL list for the 2028 season along with the Devils’ first national draft selections, which will be made in 14 months’ time.

Lappin has worked closely with Brisbane premiership teammate Chris Scott for most of his period at the Cattery, which began in 2009, and rejected interest from Carlton to work under then-coach Michael Voss last year.

Lappin worked with Devils senior coach Ken Hinkley for one year in Geelong.

HAWKS RE-SIGN COACH

Sam Mitchell has extended his contract at Hawthorn until the end of 2030.

The Brownlow medallist was already tied down until the end of 2027, signing a three-year extension as he prepares for a third straight finals appearance.

“Sam’s impact during his first five seasons as Senior Coach has been profound, and we’re delighted to extend his leadership through to 2030,” Hawks CEO Ash Klein said.

“Having instilled elite standards whilst showing genuine care and connection with his players, Sam has cultivated an environment where every player can reach their full potential.

“Driven by his innate competitiveness, Sam’s ability to motivate, educate, and inspire our group is first class.

“Additionally, Sam continues to demonstrate he is among the brightest minds in our game, with his forward-thinking and progressive coaching style setting our players up for sustainable success.

“As a club, we couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come with Sam as our Senior Coach. He is a Hawthorn person through and through and remains fiercely committed to securing our next piece of silverware.”

PIES MAKE FIRST BIG VETERAN CALL

Collingwood appears to have made its first big list call, reportedly offering another contract to veteran Jeremy Howe.

The 36-year-old intercept defender continues to play an important role in Craig McRae’s defence, with AFL Media’s Cal Twomey reporting the Pies have put forward a one-year deal to Howe.

The 2023 premiership player suffered a broken forearm in last Thursday’s loss to Geelong, but the club is said to be holding out hope he can return in the finals.

Howe is one of several older Magpies currently out of contract, with Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Tim Membrey also without 2027 deals.

It comes almost two weeks after it was revealed Sidebottom “is said to be comfortable with the prospect of finishing his career” at the end of this season.

There isn’t yet an inkling on Pendlebury’s call, though, with the all-time games record-holder to be highly sought-after for a coaching role post-career.

The 32-year-old Membrey, meanwhile, has kicked 27 goals in 16 games.

NEALE’S LATEST HUGE HINT ON AFL FUTURE

Two-time Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale has reportedly given the biggest hint yet on his playing future beyond 2026 at Brisbane.

Seven’s Tom Morris reported on Sunday afternoon that the 33-year-old, who is an unrestricted free agent, toured Collingwood’s training facility last week as he heavily ponders a move to Victoria this October.

Neale made the trip to Melbourne last Thursday evening ahead of Brisbane’s eventual 76-point loss to Carlton on Saturday night.

Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph reported for the Herald Sun back in June that Collingwood could offer a deal as large as $3 million across three seasons, as they look to further bolster their midfield around superstar Nick Daicos.

The Magpies are seen as considerable favourites for dual premiership Lions at season’s end, with West Coast and Adelaide linked in the earlier stages of the season before the Victorian powerhouse’s intentions were made public.

Neale transparently spoke with Fox Footy last month after Brisbane’s Round 17 win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, saying he “honestly doesn’t know” where he’ll end up playing in 2027.

“I’ve just got to weigh everything… success, finance, everything that goes along with playing footy. I’m 33 – probably don’t have that long left, so yeah, just weighing it all up,” Neale said.

“It’s 100% the truth – I’m not sure what I’ll decide.

“It’s nice to be 33 and feel a little bit wanted … (that) probably doesn’t happen that often.”

‘CHANGING OF THE GUARD’: TELLING TRADE TALE IN SUNS’ LATEST LOSS

Amid Gold Coast’s remarkable 10th-straight loss on Sunday afternoon to Melbourne, a telling sign emerged regarding one of the league’s star restricted free agents.

As analysed by Fox Footy’s First Crack team in their Round 21 wash-up, Ben King looked to have been dealt a notable positional change at People First Stadium, as he nears an expected exit from the Suns come season’s end.

Having not signed the club’s current two-year offer to extend his time in red, the 26-year-old has been linked strongly with Hawthorn in a move that would bring him back to his home state of Victoria.

It looks to have sparked a change in thinking for head coach Damien Hardwick, who deployed emerging tall Jed Walter in King’s traditional full-forward role against the Demons.

“It looked like a changing of the guard in regards to the position,” 287-game Saint Leigh Montagna said on Sunday night.

“In this game, he was getting into positions that he’s not used to, Ben King. It was Jed Walter who was playing the deepest as the focal point — and it looked really good.

“I just wonder whether if this was intentional from Damien Hardwick, to say: ‘Right, well Ben, if you’re here next year we’re starting to plan for next season — and it’s going to be around this guy as our number one key forward that we’ve committed to.”

The slight changing of the magnets was rewarded instantly, with Walter kicked three goals in a dominant first-half display.

And while there was so much to like, Montagna highlighted there’s still work to come for recently re-signed 21-year-old — as there is for mostkey forwards at his age.

“He was really impressive. Some of his forward craft is slowly getting better, and we know about the athleticism,” he said.

“His first half, he had 3.2, 11 disposals and seven marks … but with just one disposal in the second half, he looked gassed to me.

“That’s going to be a big summer for Walter, to get the running shoes on, hit the pavement and get himself really fit to be able to do similar to what Josh Treacy’s elevation has been at Fremantle … they’re going to need it.”