Moneyball: Latest trade, free agent and contract rumblings from the AFL world
Just weeks after Zach Merrett inked a monster six-year deal, the Bombers have secured another big name who has been in stellar form and attracting a lot of interest.
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Essendon has locked away another one of its stars with Brownlow Medal fancy Darcy Parish signing a new deal to remain at Tullamarine.
Just weeks after fellow midfielder Zach Merrett inked a monster six-year deal, the Bombers have also signed up the in-form Parish on a new two-year deal.
The Bombers have warded off interest from Geelong and others to keep the much improved ball maget in the red and black until at least the end of 2023 when he’ll hit free agency.
It comes as Essendon is also negotiating to extend the deal of forward Jake Stringer, who is out of contract at the season’s end.
“We’re building something pretty special at Essendon and it was a very easy decision to sign on again,” Parish said.
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“We have a really clear plan under ‘Truck’ (senior coach Ben Rutten) and Dyson’s (captain Dyson Heppell) leadership and we’re all really determined and hungry to build on what we’ve started this year, but we know we have a long way to go.
“It’s been a really enjoyable place to be this season. I think that is really evident to our members and supporters and we have a lot of growth in us as a developing team.
I’m excited to continue to build my own game and to see what’s in store as we continue to develop as a playing group over the coming years.”
Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro said the club was delighted to extend Parish’s time at Essendon.
“There’s no doubt that with the opportunity that presented itself this season in our midfield, Darcy has made the most of his chance and has put together an outstanding year to date and is on his way to establishing himself as a premier midfielder across the competition,” he said.
“Yet at only 23 years of age, we know Darcy still has growth left in his game and we look forward to seeing his contribution to our developing playing group over at least the next two years.”
Dawson says Sydney fans don’t need to fret
In-demand Swan Jordan Dawson says Sydney fans shouldn’t be concerned that he is yet to re-sign with only seven rounds to go.
South Australian Dawson is on Adelaide’s radar along with several other clubs showing interest, and with his out-of-contract status lingering there continues to be rumblings about his future.
The 24-year-old defender is enjoying a career-best season at just the right time, averaging 22 disposals and 485m gained to be a key part of the Swans’ success.
“I’m working with the club and my manager as well. I don’t think Sydney fans should be nervous at all,” Dawson told SEN.
“I’m just trying to play good footy. The group we’ve got is really exciting and the way we’ve performed against the top teams this year – it’s been exciting.
“I’m looking forward to keeping this form up throughout the year.”
Dawson starred again with 25 touches and two goals on Sunday as Sydney thumped a disappointing West Coast by 92 points at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.
The victory consolidates the Swans in sixth spot and gives them a two-match buffer over ninth-placed Richmond as they try to return to the finals for the first time since 2018.
John Longmire’s men have been in Victoria for almost a fortnight because of Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak and there is still no indication when they will return home.
“The unknown is probably the hardest bit; not knowing if we can get back to Sydney, or where we’re even playing, or at what time,” Dawson said.
“So we’re trying to just take it a day at a time and the group’s pretty positive and we’re actually quite a young group, so I feel like the transition has been all right as a group.
“It’s obviously difficult and we’re feeling for everyone back in Sydney.”
The Swans still have a solid group of veterans driving the standard, but an emerging crop of young players is also playing a pivotal role.
Dawson said Longmire’s coaching approach had subtly changed in response to the list demographics.
“Probably what I’ve noticed since the hub, even last year, is his ability to adapt how he’s coaching, particularly with the younger guys,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of good, young personalities coming through and he’s able to find the balance between when to pull them up and give the group a bit of a spray or whatever, but also let these goes shine through and play through their personality.
“So I think over the last year I’ve definitely noticed him relax a bit more in that sense.”
LEWIS TELLS TIGERS TO HOLD PICKS
Four-time premiership star Jordan Lewis has urged Richmond to hold on to its draft picks and not target Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra at the season’s end.
Many have been quick to declare Richmond’s quest for a third premiership in a row — and their fourth in five years — over after its shock loss to Gold Coast on Thursday night.
The Tigers will have access to two first rounder draft picks at the end of the season, with one tied to Geelong’s finishing position.
Cerra is out of contract and has been linked to a number of Victorian clubs, but Lewis is adamant Richmond should not be one of them.
“I’d be staggered if they gave up their top picks in the draft,” he said on SEN.
“I don’t think you need trade out players (and picks) out to get an Adam Cerra in, the draft pick that you might pick might be just as good but you don’t need to pay the money you’ll have to pay Cerra to come in.
“If there’s a Kossie Pickett or Luke Jackson in this draft that can come in and have an impact … that’s the decision they’ll have to make at the end of the year.”
Lewis warned against writing the Tigers off, even if they don’t salute again this September.
“I certainly don’t think their successful period is done and dusted and don’t think it’s a bad thing if they miss finals this year, (it would) create a little bit of hunger and (they would) get a chunk of time off to see other teams playing finals when they should be playing.”
SHOULD RICHMOND GIVE UP DRAFT BONANZA?
Richmond fans who have witnessed recent history should be rightly petrified of The Cliff.
They have seen both Essendon and Brisbane tumble off it after premierships since 2000, with the Bombers barely having recovered two decades later.
Even if Richmond doesn’t win a fourth flag, kids like Noah Balta, Shai Bolton, Callum Coleman-Jones and Maurice Rioli give the Tiger faithful hope they won’t return to the dark days of ritual humiliation as footy’s greatest underperformer.
Yet the presence of a once-in-a-lifetime talent on Richmond’s list offers a bolder view that the Tigers are well placed to execute if the accepted wisdom on Adam Cerra’s future is realised.
When you have Dustin Martin contracted for three more seasons and at the peak of his powers, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to equip him with the tools to win another flag?
As Fremantle midfielder Cerra’s fourth season draws to a close, the expectation is that he will definitely decide to return home to Melbourne.
He hasn’t made that official phone call yet — with Fremantle publicly still holding out hope — and yet it would now be a considerable surprise if he didn’t find his way back to Melbourne.
But the question for suitors Carlton and Richmond is whether he will ever become the top-20 AFL midfielder that a trade involving two first-round picks would require.
For Richmond, the big question is whether giving up most of four early picks on Cerra is a quick fix that could backfire or the perfect play to extend the premiership window
Is he is the next Trent Cotchin or just a very adept and skilful AFL midfielder whose worth grows because he is available.
Close watchers of Cerra are split into both camps and funny as it might sound, the current season has provided them both with ample ammunition.
Carlton and Richmond head the queue of as many as four Victorian suitors but, while both have the goods to acquire him, they are in vastly different positions.
Richmond, with picks 10, 15, 25 and 30 in the upcoming national draft, have collected 3892 draft points with those four early picks.
It’s the equivalent of picks one and 21, or four and six – enough to get a deal done.
Richmond can find the cap space as its stars finish their prime and are aware Cotchin is 32 in April, Shane Edwards 33 in October and Kane Lambert 30 in November.
Carlton has the No. 6 overall pick and then 25, but not another pick until No. 61.
They simply can’t afford to give up massive draft capital and secure another player who turns into a lovely flanker but not a bona fide AFL star.
Even Cerra’s biggest admirer, former coach Ross Lyon, says he hasn’t “popped” just yet as a genuine midfield star.
He averages only 85 ranking points, has kicked only two total goals, has only 16 total score assists, has just three of 11 games with AFL Coaches votes (for eight in total).
If you are glass-half empty on Cerra, they are worrying numbers.
If you are glass-half-full, you point to his first month before a Round 5 syndesmosis injury, where he averaged 24 possessions as a full-time midfielder ranking elite for marks and scoreboard assists.
You point to his outstanding leadership as a future captain, his ability to run both ways or play as the defensive midfielder as Nathan Fyfe and Andrew Brayshaw go ball hunting.
You consider that last year when pushed to the wing as a selfless move he had the third-best kick rating of all wingmen.
Hawthorn tried to eke out another flag after the three-peat and it will likely cost them a five-year rebuild.
Richmond, with 19 players on their list 23 and younger and potential A-grade stars among them, faces a devilishly difficult call on a player who doesn’t provide easy answers.
ONE LOCKED IN, OTHER SUNS UP IN THE AIR
Gold Coast star midfielder Touk Miller is in talks on a new deal that would see him forgo his 2022 free agency and make him a Sun for life.
News Corp can reveal Miller is set to sign a long-term deal of as many as four or five years, despite being contracted to the end of next season.
The hardworking Sun is fifth in the AFL Coaches Award behind only Marcus Bontempelli, Clayton Oliver, Ollie Wines and Sam Walsh after a relentless season in a poor Suns team.
Miller’s signature will be a huge show of faith in the Suns as one of their senior leaders desperate to establish an improved culture and consistent period of success at the Gold Coast despite another mediocre season.
In February 2019 Miller recommitted to the end of 2022 only months after Steven May and Tom Lynch walked out the door in a show of faith for the expansion club.
The former Vic Metro captain was the club’s acting captain against North Melbourne, with coach Stuart Dew labelling him in All-Australian form.
Gold Coast believes its young players are genuinely enjoying their time at the club and not at risk of fleeing south despite huge inconsistency.
But the club will have to delay contract talks with young trio Izak Rankine, Ben King and Jack Lukosius until the summer at best given it is impossible to sell the club’s upside.
All three are contracted to the end of 2022 and will have significant offers put to them by Victorian and Adelaide clubs.
St Kilda has already expressed an interest in Ben King after recontracting Max King for four more years.
A strong last two months of the season would give the Suns a selling point to show there could be an era of success at a club which has never played finals.
The club’s poor showing this year means it seems certain to keep its start-of-second round pick which was handed to the club as part of an assistance package by the league.
The league had blocked the Suns from trading that pick last year in case its improved fortunes meant it was withdrawn by the AFL but Gold Coast has only four wins so far this year.
The club is also asking for more financial assistance as part of a bigger football department cap which would allow it to secure more coaches to help the young band of kids improve quickly.
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