Media reports have linked Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury to a rumoured 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 concern for the Magpies as shock trade links surfaced.
Collingwood has responded quickly after fans were apparently robbed in a cruel twist involving Pendlebury, Yahoo News said.
The captain shared a message to the Magpie Army on the team's official site.