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Just posted up on the Herald Sun:
WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong toured Collingwood’s facilities in the days before he played in the Dogs’ pulsating win over Sydney on Saturday.
The out-of-contract Bulldog met with a Magpies official after hours at the Holden Centre last week as he weighs up his footballing future.
Clubs are permitted to talk to rival players and their managers, but stepping inside a rival club in-season is uncommon.
The Bulldogs have attempted to re-sign Jong this season, but they have been unable to agree to terms.
Jong, 23, has not reached any agreement with the Magpies, but is believed to be considering his options.
Sources close to the 188cm hard nut confirmed the night-time visit to Collingwood’s Olympic Park headquarters.
The hard-nut ball-winner has been in and out of the Bulldogs’ senior team, playing seven AFL games this season.
He had 20 possessions and three clearances in the thrilling win over the Swans.
Jong has played 30 AFL games in five seasons at the kennel and could move elsewhere for more senior opportunities next year.
Gold Coast chased the No.9 pick in the 2009 rookie draft in last year’s trade period, but he turned the Suns down.
Despite high hopes for 2016, the growing depth on the Bulldogs’ list has pushed Jong to the fringes of senior selection.
The Oakleigh product was also suspended for two matches for making high contact to young Giant Matthew Buntine in Round 9.
Jong underwent groin surgery in the off-season and said he wanted to model his game on Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield.
“The way he uses his speed is something I’d really like to do,” Jong said in March.
“The coaches tell me to use my speed as much as I can and break away from packs a bit more.
“Patrick is such a great player and I aspire to be a better player and keep improving, so I like to adapt my game to his.”
How Collingwood could secure Jong in either this year’s trade or draft periods remains unclear.
Collingwood does not have a first-round pick in this year’s draft after using it to secure star midfielder Adam Treloar last year.
The club also needs to amass draft points if it is to nab father-son propositions Callum Brown and Josh Daicos, so any trade move for Jong would be difficult.
However, out-of-contract ruckman Jarrod Witts could be put up for trade to bolster the Magpies’ position. Full-back Nathan Brown is also a free agent this year.
Western Bulldogs officials met with recruit Tom Boyd at Peter Gordon’s house in 2014, midway through Boyd’s first season at Greater Western Sydney.
Neither the Dogs or the Pies would comment yesterday.
WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong toured Collingwood’s facilities in the days before he played in the Dogs’ pulsating win over Sydney on Saturday.
The out-of-contract Bulldog met with a Magpies official after hours at the Holden Centre last week as he weighs up his footballing future.
Clubs are permitted to talk to rival players and their managers, but stepping inside a rival club in-season is uncommon.
The Bulldogs have attempted to re-sign Jong this season, but they have been unable to agree to terms.
Jong, 23, has not reached any agreement with the Magpies, but is believed to be considering his options.
Sources close to the 188cm hard nut confirmed the night-time visit to Collingwood’s Olympic Park headquarters.
The hard-nut ball-winner has been in and out of the Bulldogs’ senior team, playing seven AFL games this season.
He had 20 possessions and three clearances in the thrilling win over the Swans.
Jong has played 30 AFL games in five seasons at the kennel and could move elsewhere for more senior opportunities next year.
Gold Coast chased the No.9 pick in the 2009 rookie draft in last year’s trade period, but he turned the Suns down.
Despite high hopes for 2016, the growing depth on the Bulldogs’ list has pushed Jong to the fringes of senior selection.
The Oakleigh product was also suspended for two matches for making high contact to young Giant Matthew Buntine in Round 9.
Jong underwent groin surgery in the off-season and said he wanted to model his game on Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield.
“The way he uses his speed is something I’d really like to do,” Jong said in March.
“The coaches tell me to use my speed as much as I can and break away from packs a bit more.
“Patrick is such a great player and I aspire to be a better player and keep improving, so I like to adapt my game to his.”
How Collingwood could secure Jong in either this year’s trade or draft periods remains unclear.
Collingwood does not have a first-round pick in this year’s draft after using it to secure star midfielder Adam Treloar last year.
The club also needs to amass draft points if it is to nab father-son propositions Callum Brown and Josh Daicos, so any trade move for Jong would be difficult.
However, out-of-contract ruckman Jarrod Witts could be put up for trade to bolster the Magpies’ position. Full-back Nathan Brown is also a free agent this year.
Western Bulldogs officials met with recruit Tom Boyd at Peter Gordon’s house in 2014, midway through Boyd’s first season at Greater Western Sydney.
Neither the Dogs or the Pies would comment yesterday.
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