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Sport Nation
Will Collingwood opt into legendary father-son prospect?
SEN • October 26th, 2025 6:12 pm
With the 2025 AFL National Draft fast approaching, Collingwood have a major decision to make regarding father-son prospect Tom McGuane.
Son of Magpie legend Mick, Tom has been superb throughout his junior career, featuring for Collingwood’s VFL team and performing well for both Vic Metro and the Western Jets.
Given Collingwood’s father-son rights, the club will have the chance to match any bids placed on McGuane within the draft, owning picks 39, 45, 56, 61, 77, 95 and 113 – ample points to match any bids that arrive within the expected range between 30-50.
That being said, the Magpies alerted the young midfielder that they are not committed matching any bids that arrive in the upcoming draft despite McGuane’s obvious potential.
While the Pies are conscious of their draft hand, McGuane has certainly done enough to convince AFL National Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan that he has all the qualities necessary to make it at AFL level.
“Tom McGuane – I think he has got some real AFL attributes,” Sheehan told SEN Afternoons.
“A terrific decision maker, a prolific ball-winner, I think he could play on the wing, and he might develop physically enough to play on the inside. He is very good in traffic, but again, Collingwood have said that they won’t guarantee him a spot.
“They are probably conscious of not having to pay too high a price for him but ghee, I think he deserves to be on an AFL list from what I’ve seen of him at the Western Jets and for Vic Metro.”
If he’s still available at 39 or 45, will Collingwood pick him?
“I really don’t know what they would think in the inner sanctum over there, but he looks good enough to be in around that mark to mine,” Sheehan continued.
“I would be (surprised if he was still available at 39). I think that a club would put in a bid somewhere around there – I would think – from what I’ve seen from him over the last couple of years.
“You look through all the profiles, study them closely to see who has got enough to be on an AFL list, it doesn’t matter which club. That kid shows enough for mine to be able to step up and really improve once in an AFL system.
“The club shave got to make the call on where they choose them. We go back to a Josh Dunkley, where the Swans have said that somewhere in the early 20’s might be a bit early for whatever reasons.
“The Bulldogs were able to get him, and he won a best and fairest at the Bulldogs! He’s won a best and fairest at Brisbane and he’s played in three premierships by now! He’s been a great success story as a player, and the Swans way back in the day had the chance to match that bid at around 22 or 23 and felt it was a bit high in their view at the time.
“Back to McGuane - on pure talent, I think he’s good enough to get onto a list.”
