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 played out in secret.
SEN commentator Kane Cornes said the deal is expertly scripted for Collingwood.
Nine.com.au also flagged a million-dollar issue for the Magpies as shock trade links surfaced.
Collingwood has responded quickly after fans were reportedly robbed in a cruel twist involving Pendlebury, Yahoo News said.
The captain published an update to the Magpie Army on the club's web page.