COLLINGWOOD met with dual premiership Hawk Brad Sewell at the end of 2014 to see if he was interested in extending his career.
The 200-game player, who missed out on a spot in the club's premiership team last year, sat down for talks with Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.
The discussion didn't go past an initial meeting and Sewell officially announced his retirement at the Hawthorn's best and fairest on October 4, delivering an emotional departure speech in which he paid tribute to many at the club.
Hawthorn had told him ahead of the best and fairest award he would not be offered another contract with the club.
Buckley told AFL.com.au the club thought Sewell was a great football person who would be an asset to any club as he was a great character.
However both parties were happy to progress no further than the first meeting.
"We spoke to him about what his plans were and what he wanted to do," Buckley said.
"Having that chat with him was worthwhile. He's been a warrior."
He said the club was always open to exploring possible options to improve.
Collingwood has just seven players on its list with more than 100 games experience and had success with veteran Ben Hudson when it talked him out of retirement at the start of 2012.
It subsequently managed to secure North Melbourne hard nut Levi Greenwood in the trade period and is keen to keep giving opportunities to emerging midfielders Josh Thomas and Taylor Adams.
The 31-year-old Sewell played in Hawthorn's 2008 and 2013 flags, was best and fairest in 2007 and runner-up in the club award in 2012.
A respected leader, he was regarded as one of the toughest in-and-under players of his era, making a career after earning a spot on Hawthorn's rookie list in 2003.
He was almost traded to Melbourne in 2005 before going on to become one of the Hawks most valuable and popular players for a decade.
Sewell played his last game in the 2014 qualifying final, with emerging star Will Langford holding his spot in the midfield.
The AFL announced last month that Sewell would be part of a revamped Match Review Panel in 2015.
Clubs sounding out players after they finish up with their original club has become more common in the era of expansion clubs and free agency.
West Coast champion Dean Cox revealed last year he spoke to Carlton about potentially continuing his career in 2015 after he announced his retirement.
Greater Western Sydney also tried to lure Geelong stars Joel Corey and Matthew Scarlett north in 2014.
Sewell said at his farewell speech he was content with his decision.
"It is the standards, the culture and the people that I shall be forever grateful for," Sewell said.
