COLLINGWOOD's interest in Michael Hurley is part of the club's aggressive strategy in the lead up to the upcoming player exchange period, coach Nathan Buckley says.

AFL.com.au revealed on Monday the Magpies had joined the race for the suspended star, who is contracted to Essendon until the end of next season.

At his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Buckley said the Magpies had little choice but to explore all their options with the club to miss out on finals for the third straight season.



Pies join race for gun Bomber

"We need to be better as a side, so we're not unique in exploring all options to give ourselves the best chance of success," Buckley said.

"As a coach, I'm putting my hand up because I want the best talent to come to us.

"That gives us more of a chance of winning and we'll keep battling away with that. "

Buckley said changes were inevitable, as the futures of Travis Cloke and free agents Nathan Brown, Jarryd Blair, Alan Toovey and Brent Macaffer come into focus.

"We're mandated to make change, and clearly where we find ourselves on the ladder at the moment there's going to be changes," Buckley said.

"Those list management processes take place behind the scenes and sometimes they get some air and sneak into the public domain before their time, but it's something the club needs to be diligent at and needs to do well to give us the best chance at success."

Buckley said Hurley, who is one of five suspended Bombers yet to reveal their intentions for next season, fits the Magpies' desire to add key talls in defence and in attack.

"We're really keen on him. He's been away (on holidays in Europe) for a quite a while and (Hurley's manager) Paul's (Connors) been away as well. So there's probably been a bit off radar for three or four weeks," Buckley said.

"Michael needs to make a decision about what he wants to do. We're really sensitive and understand the position he's in with Essendon. I'm sure we'll become more aware of that over the coming weeks."

The main issue Collingwood faces in trying to procure Hurley is that it does not have a first-round draft pick, having offloaded successive picks to land Adam Treloar in last year's trade period.

"You've got to give to get as well. They're the value judgments the list management panel will make in due course," Buckley said.