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AAP
AAP
Sport
Steve Larkin

'Use it all': Magpies coach wants to fill cap space

Collingwood coach Craig McRae gives the thumbs up after a stunning 34-point away win over Adelaide. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Collingwood is flush with salary cap space and coach Craig McRae wants to use it all.

The Magpies are on a six-game winning streak after a spirited 34-point away win against Adelaide on Thursday night.

And McRae's mob are expected to recruit Brisbane's dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale in the next trade period.

Pendlebury
Magpie marvel Scott Pendlebury, in action against the Crows, may play on next season. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

The Pies have also been linked with Gold Coast spearhead Ben King, who is set to move to Victoria, although Hawthorn appear frontrunners.

Collingwood have also made a play for Port Adelaide's triple club champion Zak Butters, who is also tipped to return to his native Victoria.

"We're going to have significant money in our salary cap for this trade period," McRae said after his club's 16.12 (108) to 11.8 (74) victory over the Crows.

"We would like to potentially use all of it up. I don't know what that looks like.

"We plan to put ourselves in a position to improve ourselves. But right now, we're improving ourselves on the run."

Sidebottom
Steele Sidebottom is another Collingwood veteran showing no signs of slowing down. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

In the win over Adelaide, the AFL's games record-holder Scott Pendlebury, aged 38, was pivotal with 29 disposals, a goal and six clearances.

Pendlebury turns 39 in January and has the freedom to decide whether to play on next year.

"Honestly, I think it would be a lot on him. That's the way I see it now," McRae said of the 439-gamer.

"I'm not part of contracts. I've never negotiated a contract in my life. I wouldn't even know what the players are on.

"I think he will lead that narrative more than most, so we'll see how that plays out."

Fellow veteran Steele Sidebottom, aged 35, was also instrumental in Thursday night's win with 23 touches, a goal and five inside 50s.

And 36-year-old Jeremy Howe collected 15 disposals and kicked a goal after he started in defence before being switched to attack.

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