“We’re waiting by the phone”: Fringe Pie in “not ideal” situation and without a contract for 2023

Collingwood winger Caleb Poulter is still without a contract for 2023 in what his manager Tom McConville describes as a “not ideal” situation.

Poulter played 11 games in his debut season in 2021, after he was taken with pick 30 in the 2020 draft.

But the 19-year-old struggled for game time this year as the Pies rocketed up the ladder, only featuring once in 2022.

Poulter’s lack of game time has left him in a precarious position during the ongoing period, with Mac’s Sports Promotions’ McConville saying his priority was ensuring his client was playing regular senior football in 2023.

“It is an interesting position for him to be in at the moment,” he said on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Exchange.

“It’s not ideal to get to this stage of the year and not have a contract there, Collingwood is doing a lot it seems (in the trade period) and trying to bring a few people in.

“He’s in the position where he showed a lot in his first year, then probably found it hard this year behind (Josh) Daicos and (Steele) Sidebottom.

“We’re just waiting on that one, our priority is to have him playing league footy next year. Whether it’s at Collingwood or wherever, he’s hellbent on being on a list.

“We’ve had a few conversations with a few people, It’s not too concrete at this stage and there’s a lot to play out. We’re waiting by the phone and seeing what comes of it.”

Poulter has been linked back with a move to his home state of South Australia, with Channel 7 Adelaide reporting that the Crows had shown some level of interest.