Zak Jones still likely to join St Kilda despite interest from premier Richmond
Zak Jones has long seemed destined for St Kilda, but premier Richmond could look to replace Gold Coast-bound Brandon Ellis with the Swans speedster if the Saints struggle to satisfy Sydney in a trade.
Trade HQ
Don't miss out on the headlines from Trade HQ. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Richmond will start its bid for a modern-age dynasty with just a single major surgery after tying down two premiership heroes.
Richmond football boss Neil Balme said only Jack Graham (shoulder) would need surgery of any consequence, with the third-year midfielder set to be in full training after Christmas.
A handful of other players will need minor surgeries but the Tigers should have a full list of players ready for the pre-season.
Alex Rance has made incredible recovery from his ACL rupture and will be ready to resume in Round 1 after a full 12 month recovery.
MORE FOOTY NEWS:
Best AFL free agent signings since 2012
Geelong champion Gary Ablett decides to play on in 2020
As revealed by the Herald Sun last month, Marlion Pickett has signed a one-year deal and All Australian Shane Edwards a two-season deal after their Grand Final heroics.
Pickett has settled into Thornbury in Melbourne’s inner with his family and is keen to attack his first pre-season with the Tigers after being secured in the mid-season draft.
Sydney Stack also has a heavily incentive-based contract that sees him rewarded if he returns for the first day of pre-season in great shape after battling in previous off-seasons.
The Tigers are awaiting word from the AFL’s long-time salary cop Ken Wood on the free agency compensation for departing wingman Brandon Ellis.
His manager Marty Pask said on Thursday there was a chance the Tigers could secure an end-of-first-round compensation pick at No.20 for Ellis.
It would mean Richmond’s haul in the past two years from free agency was Tom Lynch and pick 20 in exchange for depth player Ellis.
Richmond had some interest in Sydney’s Zak Jones and has spoken to his management about a deal if the St Kilda trade fell through.
But he is expected to want more cash than the Tigers could consider given their tight cap with high-paid stars including Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Rance, Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt.
St Kilda might need to hand over pick six to Fremantle for Brad Hill and use the second-round pick it secures from the Western Bulldogs for key forward Josh Bruce to secure Sydney midfielder Jones.
Richmond list manager Blair Hartley said 27-year-old Pickett’s story was an inspiring one after he spent time in jail for burglaries not long after his teens.
Originally published as Zak Jones still likely to join St Kilda despite interest from premier Richmond