Collingwood is facing the prospect of being without one of its mainstay gun players next year, with defender John Noble requesting a trade away from the club.

The Magpies on Tuesday morning confirmed Noble had asked the club to be “traded to a team outside Victoria”, despite being contracted to the Pies until at least the end of 2026.

The Age reported Noble, 27, requested a trade to Gold Coast during a meeting with senior coach Craig McRae and new list boss Justin Leppitsch. The report suggested Noble had been offered a four-year deal by the Suns.

“John today informed us he would like to explore a trade ahead of next season to be closer to family,” Leppitsch said in a club statement.

“Whilst John is contracted, we understand the importance of family and will take this into consideration as we work through the trade period.”

Noble has played 112 games since he arrived at Collingwood via Pick 14 in the 2019 Mid-Season Draft. He wasn’t selected in the Magpies team that won last year’s premiership.

Speaking to foxfooty.com.au in May, Noble said missing out on the 2023 Grand Final was “really tough”.

“Last year I felt like I contributed a fair bit to our success, and I was certainly along the journey,” Noble told foxfooty.com.au.

“Yeah, it was hard to miss out.”

Noble’s link to Gold Coast comes as the Suns eye another contracted rebounding defender in Daniel Rioli, who’s reportedly keen to link up with his former coach Damien Hardwick in Queensland.

The Suns, however, could lose contracted forward Jack Lukosius, who’s been linked to a move home to South Australia.

Gold Coast, as it stands, holds Picks 6, 13, 20, 26 and 34, but is also preparing to match a potential top-10 bid on star academy prospect Leo Lombard.