Moneyball: Geelong eyes Roo Shaun Higgins, Blues in hunt for Stephen Coniglio
Shaun Higgins has already flagged he wants a new deal with North Melbourne but, if that doesn’t eventuate, could Geelong be a potential suitor for the star onballer?
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It is the sacking that has paved the way for Carlton to land a big fish.
Carlton could never have considered themselves a live chance to secure Stephen Coniglio when they were a basket case under Brendon Bolton.
Now as he makes his decision — with strong industry speculation he will choose Carlton — the mid-year sacking is vindicated many times over.
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Chief executive Cain Liddle admitted at Bolton’s departing press conference player retention and acquisition was a worry for them if they continued losing under their senior coach.
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If Coniglio does choose Carlton as many expect, he could legitimately see a five-year or longer premiership window opening up for him as he moves to Victoria.
Imagine if they were still battling Gold Coast for the wooden spoon and how it would be factoring into Coniglio’s decision.
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The Giants are holding a board meeting in Canberra on Friday morning ahead of their clash with Hawthorn.
There is no official word on Coniglio’s decision but Carlton could not be more confident and the fact he is still to sign at the Giants despite having their final contract and best offer — with time to assess it while sidelined with injury — would be extremely worrying for the Giants.
COULD SUITOR COME CALLING FOR KANGA?
North Melbourne star midfielder Shaun Higgins will attempt to shore up his future with the club before this year’s trade period.
The slick ballwinner, who is coming off back-to-back best and fairests at North, wants a contract extension to stay with the Roos.
He is already signed until the end of next season but wants to recommit in a show of faith in the club’s direction under new coach Rhyce Shaw.
The only issue which could delay his re-signing is if another club in the premiership window, such as Geelong, shows interest in making a trade with North for the All-Australian.
Higgins could be worth a second-round pick on the trade table or help the club find another ruckman if Todd Goldstein decides to accept a more lucrative offer from St Kilda.
The Roos may also want to ensure Higgins, 31, finishes the season fully fit before negotiating a new deal.
Higgins was best afield in the win over Hawthorn last weekend, carving up the Hawks with 28 possessions, seven clearances and two goals.
On that sort of blue-chip form, Higgins should still command upwards of $500,000-a-season plus incentives on his next deal.
Higgins was injured a lot earlier in his career, but there appears to be plenty of petrol left in the tank even with the former Bulldog set to turn 32 before the start of next season.
Geelong is looking at midfield contingencies in the likely event Tim Kelly heads home to Western Australia at season’s end.
While the Cats are expected to make a play for four-time St Kilda best-and-fairest winner Jack Steven, Higgins could also add a lick of cream in the forward half.
Gary Ablett is weighing up retiring at season’s end.
HAWKS TO GET BUSY ON LEWIS DEAL
Hawthorn will soon get to work on a new deal for colt spearhead Mitch Lewis.
Lewis, 20, is signed until the end of next season and is set to be rewarded over summer for his breakout 2019 campaign.
The former golf prodigy is a key plank in Hawthorn’s future despite the Hawks’ interest in GWS Giants’ big man Jon Patton.
GOLD COAST IS FIT FOR A KING
Don’t write off Ben King as a long-term Gold Coast Sun too early.
When King left for the Suns there were genuine fears he would walk out quick smart as a queue of Victorian clubs chased him hard.
But while he will sit down with his management over summer to discuss a contract extension past 2020, he is genuinely happy at the club.
He has played excellent football, feels the club’s culture is developing well, and enjoys the Gold Coast as a place to live after recently moving out of CEO Mark Evans’ home for a flat with Jack Lukosius.
King, who has kicked four and three goals in his past two contests, seems no chance to consider overtures to return over this summer.
WILL RIVALS PICK OFF FRINGE TIGERS?
Geelong’s VFL team was once fertile territory for rival sides to poach second-tier players given their three premiership dynasty.
Richmond’s depth players were picked off last year — Sam Lloyd, Anthony Miles, Reece Conca, Corey Ellis — and there is no reason it won’t happen again this year.
In the VFL side last week there were 11 players who have tasted AFL action this year — Kamdyn McIntosh, Ryan Garthwaite, Toby Nankervis, Jack Ross, Noah Balta, Oleg Markov, Patrick Naish, Mav Weller, Connor Menadue, Callum Coleman-Jones, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith.
Most are contracted and happy, with Nankervis and Ross returning from injury, but will rivals come hard at centre half back Garthwaite or second ruck Coleman-Jones?
CONTRACT LENGTH A STICKING POINT FOR GRUNDY
Collingwood’s offer of a three-year deal for Brodie Grundy made several months ago was the club’s way of trying to help him maximise his worth.
The Pies offered three years at significant cash, believing he could come out of contract again at 28 and secure another long-term deal.
He won’t leave the club unless forced out, happy to remain long term but instead keen to secure a long-term deal of up to seven years that secures his future.
If any player in the competition deserves a long-term deal as a star in a unique position it is Grundy.
Surely his position as a ruckman offers the Pies no greater risk than locking away a midfielder or full forward?
It would seem like prudent list management to lock him away this year ahead of free agency, even if it costs the club up to a million a year long-term.
Instead who knows what happens next year as desperate rivals go all out for a player they believe they can secure through free agency.
HISTORY REPEATS FOR SON OF SOS
Amazing how history repeats for the Silvagni generation as Jack Silvagni makes every post a winner.
As Robert Walls told the Herald Sun’s Sacked podcast, he dropped Steve Silvagni for the 1986 Grand Final despite his father Serge being part of the Carlton match committee.
The young defender returned to the side the following year and played a part in the 1987 Grand Final triumph.
A generation on Jack Silvagni is the young utility and Steve is the club’s list manager, stepping aside from decisions on his son.
Thankfully Silvagni is playing such strong football the decision on a new contract will be elementary.
Originally published as Moneyball: Geelong eyes Roo Shaun Higgins, Blues in hunt for Stephen Coniglio
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