COLLINGWOOD is expected to land veteran Melbourne defender Lynden Dunn, with the Demons likely to pay a portion of Dunn’s salary.

Melbourne and Collingwood are moving towards a deal for Dunn, who toured the Magpies’ facilities on Tuesday

Collingwood will not be able to fit in Dunn’s salary — believed to be over $300,000 — but the Demons would still benefit from getting his salary out to pay for incoming recruits Jordan Lewis from the Hawks and Michael Hibberd from the Bombers.

The Magpies have discussed a trade with the Demons in which Dunn would join them in exchange for a draft pick — likely to be a late choice.

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The Pies are keen to bring in an experienced tall defender to bolster their key defensive brigade, having lost Nathan Brown to St Kilda as a free agent and Jack Frost heading to Brisbane.

The Magpies had discussed Fremantle’s Alex Silvagni as a potential tall back, but have given preferance to Dunn.

Dunn has performed well as a tall back, but fell behind Tom McDonald in the pecking order at Melbourne and struggled for games this year. He played only four senior matches in 2016.

Collingwood will regain a tall back in Lachlan Keeffe, who returns from his drug ban, but it is unclear how he will fare after two years out of the game.

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Ben Reid will remain the standout key defender for the Magpies and their lack of an emerging tall back of quality was evident in the pursuits of Essendon’s Michael Hurley (who stayed with the Dons) and GWS youngster Caleb Marchbank, who is seeking a trade to Carlton.

Like other clubs, Collingwood is increasingly looking to use one bona fide key defender with height with support from “hybrids” — medium talls with aerial prowess — such as Jeremy Howe.

The Pies also are losing Travis Cloke, who is bound for the Bulldogs, from their key position stocks.

Pies ruckman Jarrod Witts is set to land at Gold Coast in exchange for a second or third-round pick.