Craig McRae recently shared that he ran into Dustin Martin near Collingwood headquarters on Tuesday, where the Richmond star jokingly asked him why he hadn’t received a call about playing for the Pies next season. Martin announced his retirement from the AFL earlier this month, marking the end of his time with the Tigers.

Reports indicate that his management has been in talks with the Gold Coast Suns about a possible move to reunite with coach Damien Hardwick in 2025. Former Tigers captain Trent Cotchin expressed doubt that Martin would reverse his retirement decision and play next season, but speculation continues to swirl.

During a radio appearance on SEN, McRae recounted the encounter: “I was walking to work after the Brownlow and crossing at the lights near the club when Dusty drove by and rolled down his window. He asked, ‘Where’s my phone call?’ I jokingly replied, ‘Yeah, I’ll call you, mate, come play for us.'” While McRae’s comments were lighthearted, a move to Collingwood would be plausible since Martin is friends with Pies player Jordan De Goey.

In addition, McRae clarified that Collingwood will not pursue Essendon’s Jake Stringer, another player linked to the Pies. He denied any personal involvement in attempts to recruit Stringer, stating, “We looked at it and did our research, but I can confirm that he won’t be coming to our footy club.”

However, McRae did confirm Collingwood’s interest in GWS utility Harry Perryman, emphasizing that they want to acquire players who will enhance the team rather than just draft picks. “We think Harry can make us better, and we hope to convince him that Collingwood is the right place for him,” he said. McRae is focused on continuous improvement for the team and admires how clubs like Geelong have successfully strengthened their squads.