AFL Trades 2023: Fremantle’s Lachie Schultz closer to Collingwood trade after Taylor Adams moves to Sydney

Wantaway Fremantle forward Lachie Schultz is a step closer to getting his wish to be traded to Collingwood after the Magpies sent vice-captain Taylor Adams to Sydney. The Swans gave up their second-round pick, currently pick No.33, for Adams, 30, on Wednesday afternoon after the midfielder requested a trade back to NSW last week. It is set to open up the money for Collingwood to pay Schultz, 25, who has been offered a four-year deal with a trigger for a fifth from the premiers. Industry sources believe Collingwood are prepared to part ways with their top pick, No.19, for Schultz who still had a year to go on his contract at the Dockers. Schultz shocked Fremantle and their supporters earlier this week when he requested a trade back to Victoria for family reasons, 12 months before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Dockers were trying to extend Schultz’s contract after another big season, having kicked a career-high 33 goals in 23 games. Fremantle haven’t ruled out holding the small forward to the final year of his deal and force him to explore his options as an unrestricted free agent, having qualified when he was delisted and re-drafted as a rookie in 2021. “Circumstances have arisen where Lachie is keen to explore a return home to Victoria,” Fremantle general manager of football Peter Bell told 6PR. “Through those discussions, we, of course, have reminded Lachie while we understand the circumstances, the fact is he is a contracted player, a much-loved player, and a valued player, meaning that there’s every possibility he plays for us next year and sees out his contract at least. “We’ll listen to what Collingwood has to say, and then we will make a decision based on those conversations. There’s a really strong possibility a deal isn’t able to be struck, and Lachie will play for us in 2024.” Trading out Schultz would get the Dockers back into the first round of this year’s draft after sending this year’s to Melbourne last year as part of the deal to get Luke Jackson. After making a semifinal in 2022, the Dockers finished 14th and the pick at the Demons has ended up at No.6. The Dockers have already sent this year’s second-round pick and their future second-round pick for the Power’s first-round pick next year as they eye Sydney forward Logan McDonald next year. It has left Fremantle with only picks 45, 59, 63 and 84, but this will be boosted by trading out Schultz as well as a deal with St Kilda for wingman Liam Henry. Henry will land at the Saints this trade period but is likely to have to wait for other deals, including Nick Coffield’s move from St Kilda to the Western Bulldogs. The Dockers have made it publicly known they rate Henry and want a first-round pick for the former pick No.9, but the Saints aren’t likely to part with pick No.13 in a deal. The Saints only have picks 34, 55 and 91 to offer as well as any future picks. Fremantle have already lost defender Joel Hamling to Sydney as an unrestricted free agent and didn’t get any compensation in return.