AFL 2022: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in encouraging bid to recommit to Bombers
One club has emerged as the favourite to secure the services of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, but he would first have to pass a couple of conditions.
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Retired Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is showing encouraging signs as he attempts to convince the Bombers he can return to the kind of shape that made him one of football’s most dangerous goalkickers.
McDonald-Tipungwuti retired this year but it emerged through the trade period he was interested in a comeback after his personal circumstances changed.
The 29-year-old has family in Perth and had a single conversation with Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, but the Dockers would only consider him for a train-on spot over summer.
Essendon is prepared to re-list McDonald-Tipungwuti if he can prove he is fit enough given he is officially their player so is monitoring his training loads ahead of upcoming list lodgement deadlines.
Clubs have until Thursday November 10 for players to request to be removed from their lists and classified as retired.
McDonald-Tipungwuti’s manager Scott Lucas said this month if the Dockers were determined to secure his services he did not think the Dons would stand in his way.
But Essendon is watching on with interest as he ramps up his training and attempts to return to the kind of professionalism that saw him kick 34 goals in 20 games in 2021.
The Dons would have to be convinced he has the drive and work habits to thrive at the highest levels after he was out of shape and overweight for much of his last few months at Essendon.
He also battled personal issues but Lucas made clear in the trade period he was in the right head space to return to his best football.
The Dons have picks four and 22 and believe they will be able to pick two quality players before any other club makes a bid on highly talented father-son Alwyn Davey Jr.
Clubs are attempting to secure the Dons pick 22 and they could in theory trade it out for other selections if they believed it would be swallowed up by a bid coming before 22 for Davey Jr.
But they are likely to retain it, confident clubs will not bid on Davey in the first round of the draft and with plans to secure his brother Jaydyn with a late pick or rookie selection.
Football boss Josh Mahoney said on Friday the club is ready for anything as it also considers academy prospect Anthony Munkara.
“Obviously with (pick 4) we’re going to be at the high end, so we’re working through that at the moment. Pick No. 22 is an interesting one, that depends on what happens in front of you, so they have to look at a range of different players,” Mahoney said.
“To add into that mix, we also have a couple of potential father-son’s in the Davey twins, and an NGA player in Anthony Munkara, so we’ve got to be on our toes and ready for anything.”
The Cats’ off-field trump card to secure returning Irishman
Conor McKenna’s desire to set up his post-AFL career in horse training could help the Cats secure the 26-year as Brisbane and Port Adelaide also circle the running defender.
The former Essendon 79-gamer will return to the AFL next year with those three clubs forming the chasing pack to secure a player who can be taken as a delisted free agent.
McKenna retired at the end of 2020 because of homesickness and has been out of the AFL long enough to be secured without Essendon having ties to him.
Port Adelaide has spoken to McKenna over Zoom and is keen to be a contender with a list spot open for him and a need for a quality running back.
Clubs might have to end up offering a two-year deal for the dashing half back given the range of interest.
Geelong is still working through its list priorities, having secured Jack Bowes, Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn and the No. 7 overall pick in a masterful trade period.
But McKenna has told clubs his post-football life would involve transitioning into work as a horse trainer.
He contemplated being a jockey until a growth spurt at 14 with his engineer father Pat turning his attention to horse training with eight horses including Ampeson, which raced in one of Ireland’s major races in September.
McKenna could link up with a Geelong horse trainer to work part-time while playing to further those ambitions, so the Cats are seen as the strong favourite.
Rivals believe the Cats are in the box seat for McKenna.
But whether they would be prepared to commit to McKenna on a two-year deal or would be keener to secure him on a one-year rookie contract remains to be seen.
At his best McKenna was a dynamic running half back but he battled in 2020 with homesickness amid a contentious Covid positive that saw him ruled out of football for a fortnight.
Last year he won gaelic football’s All Ireland championship with Tyrone before quitting the side after the most recent season in preparation to play AFL again.
Brisbane has been a keen observer of McKenna in recent seasons after success recruiting Irish talent through list boss Dom Ambrosio.
Clubs are aware of the risk profile of securing McKenna given they are unsure if he would remain long-term in Melbourne but believe he has more upside than many of the other delisted free agents on offer.
HAWKINS CARRIED SERIOUS FOOT INJURY THROUGH PREMIERSHIP SEASON
– Jay Clark
Geelong superstar Tom Hawkins is in a race to be ready for Round 1 next season after surgery to correct a troublesome plantar fascia problem.
News Corp on Wednesday revealed Hawkins will go under the knife to fix an issue he bravely carried through the back-end of the season.
The injury has caused the 34-year-old pain and discomfort in his toes late in the premiership campaign, affecting his running, kicking and his balance.
While no definitive timeframe has been set on his return, the Cats are hopeful the champion goal kicker will be ready to play “early in season 2023”.
It means the Cats over summer will prepare to start their premiership defence with a new-look attacking setup in the event Hawkins’ return from injury is significantly delayed.
Geelong’s medical staff will be clearer on a likely return date after assessing his signs of recovery early in the new year.
His absence early next season would open a door for eye-catching tall Shannon Neale, Esava Ratugolea or Sam De Koning to play a senior key forward role alongside Jeremy Cameron.
Hawkins’ injury was a factor in Geelong’s decision to keep Ratugolea from joining Port Adelaide after the versatile big man requested a trade to the Power last month.
The Cats decided on surgery for Hawkins after extensive consultation with several specialists in recent weeks. There were some key medical meetings on Monday.
Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd said the Cats will be careful with Hawkins to ensure he returns to the field next year at full health.
“Our medical team and Tom have gone through an extensive process which has included consultation with specialists to determine the best approach and have come to the decision for Tom to undergo surgery this week,” Lloyd said.
“Tom is incredibly meticulous in his training and preparation, and we know he’ll have the same application to his recovery.
“We will take the time and diligence required to have him return to playing in early 2023.”
Hawkins defied the foot problem to help steer Geelong to a stunning premiership in 2022, slotting three majors in the Grand Final win over Sydney Swans at the MCG.
They included a pair of brilliant goals out of the ruck in the first half against veteran Swan Tom Hickey, showing Hawkins’ incredible versatility and potency in the forward-50m.
The three-time premiership star and 2020 Coleman Medalist had another outstanding season, booting 67 goals across 25 matches, and was named captain of the All-Australian team this year.
He played in pain throughout September but still slotted eight goals across the Cats’ three finals wins.
Hawkins is due to return from his postseason break in December after earning his fourth-straight All-Australian jumper this season.
Geelong has full faith in its medical and high performance program which helped deliver the Cats’ squad in prime shape for the finals series, save for a late hamstring blow to Max Holmes.
But the blow will prompt coach Chris Scott to prepare for a forward line without Hawkins after losing champion captain Joel Selwood to retirement after the flag.
Ratugolea was switched into defence this year but could return to attack, while De Koning could also pose an interesting option for the Cats’ coaching staff over summer.
De Koning had an exceptional year in defence but could be swung into attack if required as a key forward alongside Cameron.
DE GOEY’S CONTRACT STRESS AND THE REASON HE’S THRIVING
-Rebecca Williams
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has revealed the “family culture” coach Craig McRae has created at the Magpies was a pivotal factor in his decision to stay at the club.
In his first interview since re-signing with Collingwood, De Goey opened up on the “stressful period” during his contract negotiations but said at the “bottom of his heart” he had always wanted to stay a Magpie.
After a year of intense speculation about his future and heavy interest from St Kilda to lure him to Moorabbin, De Goey signed a five-year contract extension to remain a Magpie until the end of 2027 at the end of last month.
“Obviously it was a bit of a stressful period at the time, but at the bottom of my heart I always wanted to stay at the Pies,” De Goey said on Channel 7.
“They have just created this family culture and I’m really thriving in that, as a lot of the other boys are, too.”
De Goey said he had gone through all the “due protocols” with St Kilda as they pursued him for a move to Moorabbin.
“We had a lot of interviews, meetings, kind of did all the due protocols I guess just to try and get the best understanding of what it would be like if I went there,” De Goey said.
De Goey’s new long-term deal includes behavioural clauses in the first two seasons after his behaviour was thrust into the spotlight following his mid-season Bali antics.
But he said he and the club had come to an agreement on what was best for all.
“Obviously that was a little bit of a sticking point for a while there,” De Goey said.
“But at the end of the day we both kind of agreed what was best for me and for the footy club.”
De Goey also spoke of a recent return to Bali for off-season training where he received a cheeky play from a rival coach.
“It was funny having a good chat with Goody (Simon Goodwin) there and he talked about maybe a trade and stuff like that — having a laugh — but I told him he’s already got Brodie (Grundy), he’s not getting me,” De Goey said.
Meanwhile, young Collingwood defender Will Kelly has re-signed with the club for 2023.
The 22-year-old father-son has played just three games since he was taken as a father son selection in the 2018 national draft.
He did not feature at AFL level in 2022, but the Magpies are hopeful of seeing more from him next season.
“We see a lot of potential in Will based on what he has shown us during his time in the VFL and his few appearances at AFL level,” Magpies’ football manager Graham Wright said.
“While he hasn’t had much opportunity in the AFL due to injury, we believe we will see Will’s football progress in 2023 and utilise his athleticism more across both programs next year.
“As a versatile tall, Will can play at both ends of the ground and we are eager to see what he will bring next season.”
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