Collingwood appear almost certain to retain Darcy Moore.
The question is whether that means they cannot bring in Gold Coast's Steven May.
Collingwood still think they can do both but it's not obvious how at this point.
Their first priority is to move fast to sort out their list position to ensure a team that just fell short of being premier is tall and flexible enough in defence to meet any future challenge.
To that end there is an increasing likelihood that Moore stays, based on positive discussions in recent days between the club and Moore's management.
Darcy Moore seems certain to stay at Collingwood.
While Sydney have shown some interest in Moore, they are not excited by his pay demands.
So unless a big offer comes late from an opposition club, the father-son recruit selected at pick No.9 in the 2013 national draft will be in the black and white.
Presuming Moore is settled, the next issue is Tom Langdon, a star in the back half of the season and outstanding in the finals.
He has only just received an offer from the Magpies – who hope he will remain – but the lag has forced him to think about other options, so he has a decision to make.
Earlier in the season Langdon shaped as a possible casualty had the Pies been able to land free agent Tom Lynch.
To afford Lynch they might have lost a player such as Langdon but his form in the second half was such that he is not only a required player but one in demand.
It's a concern for the Magpies but it's all in Langdon's hands.
If he stays, then the job to get May will become even more difficult with the Suns not willing to hand over the key defender without satisfactory return.
Tom Langdon at the Collingwood fan day last Sunday.
The Magpies also want to introduce Isaac Quaynor and Will Kelly through the draft with points needed to secure the next generation academy and father-son players, respectively.
The Magpies hold pick 17 and 48 and might be hoping to secure a third-round pick at best when Alex Fasolo joins Carlton as a free agent, however there are few other players the Magpies might be willing to trade who would command a return.
So what they can offer the Suns appears minimal other than a first-round pick at 17 and perhaps a future first-round pick, which would also mean going into deficit to secure Quaynor and Kelly.
Melbourne, also in the May race, might appear to be in a position to offer more at this stage but they have their own hurdles to jump as their bid is dependent on Jesse Hogan choosing to join Fremantle.
If Hogan does that, then it's fair to say most of the industry thinks the Demons are better placed than the Magpies in the hunt for May.
But the Pies won't give up easily. Their desire to land May makes sense in both a short- and long-term sense as their ageing defenders, who were so brave this season, might only have one year left.
Collingwood's interest in Western Bulldogs defender Marcus Adams was real too, but with several defenders returning next season from knee injuries they appear less likely to want to add another player, as good as he is, with a long injury history behind him.
Right now it seems like the Magpies have too many defenders to handle but the logjam will ease at the end of next season with the aim being to have future defensive options Moore, Langdon, Kelly, Quaynor, Jeremy Howe and potentially May in place to push the next generation forward.
By the end of this week, the Magpies' capacity to land May and the type of contest they are in with Melbourne will become clearer.
Until then, May may happen but Moore looks more likely.
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