Media reports have tied Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury to a reported move to the Gold Coast Suns.
Nine.com.au described the Suns' masterstroke that unfolded in secret.
SEN commentator Kane Cornes said the deal is beautifully scripted for Collingwood.
Nine.com.au also flagged a million-dollar problem for the Magpies as shock trade links surfaced.
Collingwood has moved swiftly after fans were apparently robbed in a nasty twist involving Pendlebury, Yahoo News said.
The captain posted a message to the Magpie Army on the team's official site.