COLLINGWOOD is zeroing in on a surprise move for tough St Kilda midfielder Tarni White, opening the door for a potential trade involving experienced Magpies duo Jaimee Lambert and Steph Chiocci.

Womens.afl understands White informed the Saints earlier this week that she wished to make the move across town to the Magpies, creating a passage for a potential player-swap deal to take place next month.

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White, who is from Queensland but nominated to move to Victoria in her draft year, had been in the sights of Gold Coast after it had emerged during the off-season she was open to a move away from St Kilda.

However, with the Saints targeting potential deals for both Lambert and Chiocci – the latter of which is Collingwood's AFLW co-captain – the Pies have swooped in to secure a commitment from White ahead of the March sign and trade period.

Collingwood is in a fight to keep a host of talented players, and could still look to retain its skipper Chiocci, having already lost superstar Chloe Molloy to Sydney as part of the League's new priority signing period (PSP) for last year's expansion clubs.

Lambert, though, appears destined for St Kilda while fellow midfielder Mikala Cann has also attracted expansion interest and has been in the sights of Hawthorn as a potential PSP recruit.

White, 22, established herself as one of St Kilda's best midfield options throughout last season and averaged 11.8 disposals and 6.6 tackles per game as the Saints finished the year with a 3-7 record.

Elsewhere, Gold Coast is expected to move for St Kilda key defender Clara Fitzpatrick, with the Irishwoman hoping to relocate to Queensland for work-related reasons.

In turn, the Saints have interest in Suns defender Serene Watson.