AFL trade news: Stay up to date with the latest player movement buzz across the league
GWS flyer Lachie Whitfield appears to be in play for rivals, but what timeline does he suit? Check out the latest contract buzz across the AFL.
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Greater Western Sydney half back Lachie Whitfield has emerged as a trade target for rival clubs as they consider whether they could absorb his significant back-ended salary.
Whitfield’s lucrative seven-year contract running through to 2027 is believed to average around $900,000 a season but in the next two years hits a figure above $1.1 million.
The Herald Sun understands clubs have asked about his contract position and inquired about whether absorbing most of his salary would allow them to secure him without giving back an early pick in return.
GWS has shown no inclination to trade the talented Whitfield and has significantly improved its salary cap position after losing Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Tanner Bruhn and Bobby Hill last off-season.
But while Whitfield has enjoyed a solid year after battling through much of 2022 with a serious ankle injury he has not been at his eye-catching, line-breaking best under new coach Adam Kingsley.
Whitfield has featured in the AFLCA coaches votes only once this year when he was awarded six coaches votes for his performance in the GMHBA Stadium win over the Cats in round 11.
Clubs would have to believe they are in the premiership window to make a play for Whitfield given he turns 29 next month.
Clubs with vast cap space including Hawthorn, Essendon and North Melbourne would be less inclined to make a play for him given his age and their age demographics.
Hawthorn is one club interested in the kind of Jack Bowes salary cap dump that could see them securing an early pick to take on the salary of a rival player.
But Whitfield’s situation is vastly different to Bowes given he is well established at GWS and they have cap space to retain him even as his salary hits $1.1 million or more next year.
PIES DEFENDER SET FOR REWARD
Collingwood’s mid-season draft success story John Noble is on the brink of a new deal of at least two seasons as reward for his heart-and-soul role at the Pies.
Noble is in career-best form for Collingwood, rightly lauded for his pair of brilliant tackles on Adelaide’s Ned McHenry and Ben Keays in the last 90 seconds of the Pies’ round 15 two-point victory.
That new deal to at least 2025 is all but signed on the dotted line and will follow extensions for coach Craig McRae and former captain Scott Pendlebury.
While 26-year-old Noble does not have the premierships of fellow mid-season draft success story Marlion Pickett he has played 83 games, the most of any mid-season draft selection.
He has missed only two games since the start of the 2020 season as the Pies attempt to win their first premiership since 2010.
The Herald Sun reported last week the Pies have also kick-started contract talks on a long-term deal with Josh Daicos which would see him hand over his free agency rights
ROBERTSON LIKELY TO IGNORE RIVAL OVERTURES
Brisbane’s exciting inside midfielder Deven Robertson is considered likely to ignore the overtures from clubs including West Coast.
Early talks have now started on what a new deal would look like at Brisbane with a two-year deal the most likely option.
The No. 22 pick in the 2019 draft had played only three games before round 14 but has been selected in the last four games for a Lions side that is stacked in the midfield position.
The WA boy is one of a number of players linked to West Coast but who are disinclined to move to the Eagles given how deep their rebuild is likely to be in coming seasons.
Those early contract discussions are encouraging for the Lions given he has extensive interest from clubs across the nation including in Victoria.
The Lions will secure Will Ashcroft’s brother Levi in the national draft next year as a likely top 10 pick and father-son Jasper Fletcher has already shown he will make waves as a classy mid.
But Robertson seems likely to back himself in to fight for his midfield opportunities rather than explore the WA interest.
PARISH MAKES INTENTIONS CLEAR
Essendon free agent Darcy Parish has made clear he will re-sign at Essendon despite strong interest from clubs including Geelong.
Parish has an offer in front of him from Essendon, who have always been supremely confident he will re-sign given the club’s direction under Brad Scott.
But Parish told Channel 9 he wanted to remain at the club and was confident a deal wasn’t too far away.
“Absolutely, I am very happy at the club and with what we are building, the group we have got,” he said.
“It’s all going in the right direction and I am really enjoying myself under Scotty. Had a bit of a taste of him and seeing what he has put in front of him. I feel valued and have got a great understanding of where I sit in the team. I am really enjoying myself and hopefully we can get it all sorted soon.”
The Dons still need to lock away Mason Redman, who has interest from Adelaide as a restricted free agent.
But the club’s solid direction under Scott has given players clarity about their future after so many wasted years after the club’s ASADA issues amid a procession of senior coaches.
LIONS CHASE DOEDEE
ADELAIDE free agent Tom Doedee confirmed this week Brisbane was one of his suitors as they look for more defensive depth.
The Lions have been thrilled with the emergence of Jack Payne in a year where they have tried ex-Saints defender Darragh Joyce as a third tall and interceptor.
Daniel Rich will likely retire and the club’s half back stocks are strong with Kidean Coleman, Conor McKenna, Brandon Starcevic and Darcy Wilmot all playing well against Richmond.
But the Lions clearly believe they need another tall despite veteran Ryan Lester again finding a strong vein of form.
Dayne Zorko’s form is clearly good enough to go again but his injury issues are hurting given he has had extended absences with hamstring and calf issues.
WHAT IS PICKETT’S RICHMOND FUTURE?
MARLION Pickett will receive a contract of between $400,000-$500,000 when he hits his games-based trigger for a 2024 deal in coming weeks.
Even if he suffered a shock season-ending injury before that trigger is reached there is a level of comfort from both sides that the deal for 2024 would still be in place.
There are varying opinions across the industry about whether Pickett should be playing after being arrested on serious burglary charges.
But Richmond has ruled Pickett deserves the presumption of innocence, with a court date likely to be set 12-18 months into the future when he appears at an August committal hearing.
So it could be the end of next season before Pickett has his day in court, having told Richmond he is innocent of the charges and will fight them vigorously.
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