Collingwood premiership hero Beau McCreery has made a whirlwind trip to meet with officials from expansion club Tasmania, 7NEWS sports reporter Xander McGuire has revealed.
“He flew into Tasmania early last week to assess what a future at the Devils could look like,” McGuire told 7NEWS.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Beau McCreery meets with Tasmania Devils
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The 25-year-old speedster is contracted until the end of next year and has long been talked about as one of Tassie’s earliest targets.
“(Devils coach) Ken Hinkley was actually on his flight down south with a meeting in a Tassie tour to follow at the other end,” McGuire said.
“All the Devils heavy-hitters were in town at the time.”
McCreery spoke to 7NEWS at Collingwood’s recent best-and-fairest event just a few days after his Hobart visit.
“I’ve been at the Pies six years now and I can’t see myself leaving,” he said.
Asked why his “connection” with Collingwood was so strong, he replied: “Just won a flag, all my mates (are here and) I love coming into the club every day and spending it with all these boys day in and day out.”
He added: “It would be hard to leave.”
McGuire said at this stage McCreery was more likely to stay at Collingwood with the club preparing to offer him a contract extension imminently.
Collingwood’s list and talent manager Justin Leppitsch recently said on Trade Radio that the club was “open for business”.
Leppitsch basically said they would entertain offers for all players except for reigning Brownlow medallist Nick Daicos.
Collingwood have already added dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale to their list and Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan.
They have also been linked to Richmond half-back Jayden Short but, given Short is under contract, a deal is not likely.
“Jayden’s going to be probably a little tougher, but we love Shorty. I’ve coached him at Richmond, and so did our coach. So really, a close connection with him. But you know, that’s only one part of the puzzle,” Leppitsch said.
“Just with list spots and money and off-field things as well, and what Richmond might desire out of that deal. So when you pull those things together, it makes it a little tougher. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. There’s still a long way to go.”
