Collingwood is under mounting pressure to retain key ruckman Darcy Cameron, as the West Coast Eagles have reportedly tabled a lucrative offer worth up to $800,000 per season to lure the 28-year-old back to his home state of Western Australia.
Cameron, currently contracted with the Magpies until the end of 2026, is believed to be on a significantly lower salary — estimated between $400,000 and $500,000 annually — following a team-friendly extension signed during his injury recovery. Now back to full fitness and playing a pivotal role in Collingwood’s ruck setup, his market value has soared.
West Coast, desperate to bolster their ruck division amid a rebuild, has identified Cameron as a priority target for the 2025 off-season. Sources close to the Eagles suggest the club is willing to offer a three-year deal worth over $2.4 million, a major step up from what Collingwood currently has on the table.
While Collingwood remains confident in retaining Cameron, they may be forced to significantly restructure their cap or offload other contracts to match West Coast’s aggressive pitch. With teammates like Darcy Moore reportedly on over $1.2 million per year, there is little room for complacency at the Holden Centre.
Cameron has yet to comment publicly but is believed to be weighing both the financial and lifestyle appeal of returning home. The looming contract tug-of-war could become one of the headline stories of the 2025 trade period.
