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 unfolded 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 surprise trade links circulated.
Collingwood has taken action after fans were reportedly robbed in a nasty twist involving Pendlebury, Yahoo News said.
The captain shared a message to the Magpie Army on the team's official site.