Media reports have tied Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury to a possible move to the Gold Coast Suns.
Nine.com.au described the Suns' stroke of genius that played out in secret.
SEN commentator Kane Cornes said the deal is perfectly scripted for Collingwood.
Nine.com.au also flagged a million-dollar problem for the Magpies as stunning trade links emerged.
Collingwood has taken action after fans were apparently robbed in a brutal twist involving Pendlebury, Yahoo News said.
The captain published an update to the Magpie Army on the club's web page.