COLLINGWOOD director of football Rodney Eade has poured cold water on suggestions the Magpies could try to tempt West Coast champion Dean Cox out of his impending retirement.



There has been speculation the Pies could be interested in 33-year-old Cox as a potential replacement for playing-ruck coach Ben Hudson, 35, who is a good chance to retire at season's end.



Cox announced last month this season would be his last and Eade said it's highly unlikely the Pies would approach the 288-game veteran in a bid to change his mind.



"As great a player as he's been, I think he's mentioned that his body's starting to struggle a bit. We're nearly at our salary cap – I don't think it's an option for us," Eade told AFL.com.au.



"It hasn't even been discussed, so I wouldn't have imagined that we will discuss it."



Earlier on Friday, Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy said he would welcome Cox to the Westpac Centre when quizzed by reporters about the Eagles' big man.



"That's the first I've heard of it, but obviously it would be pretty nice to shift 'Huddo' aside and get Dean Cox on board," Grundy joked.

"But, no, if it happened it would be great."

Grundy has struggled to live up to lofty expectations he set in his standout debut campaign last year, when he kept Darren Jolly out of the side late in the season.

The 203cm big man has spent the past four games in the VFL, but earned a recall to face the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday night.

"I'm not really disappointed (to have played in the VFL) because I'm still only 20 years old, I'm still developing and learning as I go," Grundy said.

"Playing a bit last year towards the end of the season put a bit of an unrealistic expectation on myself.

"I've been able to get some good development in playing in the twos the last few weeks.

"I've handled it the best I could. I think my training has improved. When I went back down I tried to just reassess and see where I was at.

"I feel like my training has really improved and gone to the next level over the last month."