Sports Insider column: Coronavirus could impact on Marlion Pickett talks, while Melbourne confident of securing Jack Viney long-term
Richmond’s Grand Final hero Marlion Pickett was happy to wait until the second half of 2020 to open talks on a new deal. But the threat of COVID-19 might change that. Plus news on Jack Viney, Jordan De Goey and Gold Coast’s No. 1 and No. 2 picks.
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The coronavirus crisis could escalate contract talks with footy’s Grand Final miracle man Marlion Pickett.
His management was happy to wait until mid-season to assess the progress of his first real season despite constant dialogue with Richmond list boss Blair Hartley.
But with real uncertainty over how the season will eventuate, his manager Anthony Van Der Weilen admits there is a reason to bring those talks forward.
“The plan was always to see how Marlion went in the first half of the season. We have open dialogue but I guess it does change the reality and practicality of it.”
Pickett is one of many AFL players on a base salary and match payments which could be impacted by pay cuts.
The ruck pecking order at Richmond will be fascinating given Ivan Soldo has taken over No. 1 ruck duties, Toby Nankervis is uncontracted and Callum Coleman-Jones is the heir apparent.
GWS had a huge crack at Coleman-Jones in the trade period but Richmond wouldn’t budge, with Nankervis content to sit tight on his contract as he assesses how the season progresses.
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DEES CONFIDENT OF SECURING VINEY LONG-TERM
Melbourne remains confident it will avoid any bitter fallout from Jack Viney’s captaincy demotion when it comes to finalising a new long-term deal for the hard nut.
Viney is a free agent at the end of the year and is set to command a new long-term deal in the vicinity of $650,000 a season.
While he remains a crucial cog in the Melbourne midfield, James Harmes’ move to the half back line could see Viney tag at times this year.
The father-son gem has been well-paid heading into his eighth season and will look to re-establish his best form and reputation as one of the toughest ballwinners in the competition in the early part of this year.
But it has been a tricky start to the year for the 25-year-old who was dumped from the co-captaincy.
Initially, the Dees’ raging midfield bull was disappointed to lose the title after finishing third in the club’s best and fairest last year on the back of two injury-plagued seasons.
In the end, the Demons voted in favour of Max Gawn’s more relaxed leadership style rather than Viney’s hard-nosed approach.
But there is no tension between the pair as they attempt to drive Melbourne up the ladder this season after a disastrous 2019.
Importantly, the Dees will continue efforts to stitch-up Viney on a new contract that will thwart rival attempts to poach him for nothing under free agency rules.
Certainly, he has admirers at other clubs who are watching the situation.
Melbourne last month locked away Christian Petracca on a new deal, while the club did well to secure Clayton Oliver until the end of next year in the face of inevitable offers.
Viney is one of Nick Gieschen’s clients who has a decision to make about staying with his TLA management group, or follow Gieschen to his new home at Connors Sports.
Gieschen left Craig Kelly’s TLA to join Connors at the end of last year.
The Insiders understands Viney was leaning towards staying at TLA, while fellow Melbourne hard nut Clayton Oliver looks set to move across with Gieschen to Connors’ stable.
Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines, who is close to Gieschen, also has a big call to make on that front.
MANAGERS WARY OF STAR PIE DE GOEY
Jordan De Goey would normally be able to pick his choice of managers given his stunning talent and the percentage they would secure of the fat contract he will sign this year.
But several managers who would normally throw their hat into the ring have pulled back given his troubled track record.
He has already walked away from two of the best managers in the business, one from a big firm in TLA (Nick Gieschen) and the other in Ben Niall.
He will find a new home eventually, with Ralph Carr and Liam Pickering two names thrown up in dispatches.
But even in an environment when 20 per cent pay cuts are coming his reputation precedes him and will limit his choices.
TOP PICKS HAPPY TO WAIT ON CONTRACT EXTENSIONS
Gold Coast couldn’t be better placed to secure two-year extensions from Matt Rowell and
Noah Anderson but both are happy to sit tight for now.
In the same week pick 10 Tom Green extended his contract the Suns have told the players they will give them some time to settle in before pestering them about deals past 2021.
Ben King and Jack Lukosius both took until the off-season after their debut seasons so no one is in any rush.
The hope is the quartet – along with Izak Rankin – will stay together and play 100-games plus in Gold Coast colours.
PARFITT TIPPED TO RE-COMMIT TO CATS
Brandan Parfitt is on track to commit to Geelong as he prepares to take up some of the slack created by Tim Kelly’s exit.
The exciting fourth-year midfielder via the NT and Adelaide will stay at the Cats but was happy to play a chunk of the season first hand to boost his contract value.
After 54 games in three years – including 20 last year – the No. 26 pick from the 2016 national draft is maturing nicely for the Cats.
TOP agent Robbie D’Orazio has won the race to secure the man widely rated this year’s top draft prospect, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The gun forward is a Western Bulldogs’ next generation academy prospect and is certain to start his AFL career at the kennel next year. But the club is keen to douse comparisons to Sydney Swans’ superstar Lance Franklin.
There is always considerable competition to sign the top few draft prospects and Ugle-Hagan has opted to join D’Orazio at one of the country’s biggest management firms, Connors Sports.
Ugle-Hagan is an athletic 195cm goal kicker who has already developed close ties with some of the Bulldogs’ senior players, including skipper Marcus Bontempelli.
THE GOSSIP: LAYTON’S DREAM WEDDING ON HOLD DUE TO COVID-19
Sharni Layton knows there are far more important things happening in the world because of the coronavirus pandemic, which is why she can laugh about her own unfortunate circumstances.
The former Australian netballer and Collingwood AFLW star has been forced to cancel her wedding scheduled for April 30 in Hawaii.
What makes Layton laugh about the whole situation is that for the first time in her life she’d actually had everything under control.
“It was to be my dream wedding,” Layton said. “It’s been organised for over a year and as anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m the most unorganised person in the world.
“So for the first time in my life I was organised and had everything paid off.”
About two weeks ago Layton and her partner Luke started to get nervous after a girlfriend suggested she should tell guests to take out travel insurance just in case.
“We were like we’ll hold on because surely it will all blow over,” Layton said.
“But when things really started to get bad in Italy and then the Scott Morrison press conference on Sunday, it soon became obvious that we couldn’t do it.
“My parents aren’t young and I didn’t want to put them at risk or any other relations.
“And I’m not having a wedding if Dad can’t walk me down the aisle.”
Layton, who has been cleared to play in today’s knockout final against North Melbourne after dislocating her finger last week, is hoping they’ll get their money back from the airlines and vendors in Hawaii.
There is another wedding planned with no date at this stage but it will be in Melbourne and it will have a theme … Hawaiian of course.
MORE AFL NEWS:
Western Bulldogs made to look second-rate by relentless Collingwood in ‘nightmare’ start
Kyle Langford on the two big changes set to improve Essendon in 2020
Jordan De Goey says he plans to stay at Collingwood next year
AFL clubs, admin brace for sweeping pay cuts
Originally published as Sports Insider column: Coronavirus could impact on Marlion Pickett talks, while Melbourne confident of securing Jack Viney long-term