Moneyball: Latest trade whispers, contract news on James Sicily, Adam Tomlinson, Brandon Ellis
Hawthorn is one step ahead of rivals thinking of poaching star defender James Sicily. Plus which club is leading the chase for a GWS free agent and a Swans forward on the trade radar.
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Hawthorn star defender James Sicily is on track to become one of the club’s highest-paid players on his next contract deal.
While the 69-gamer’s contract doesn’t expire until the end of next season, the Hawks are tipped to move early to try and thwart rival suitors.
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The gun backman, who was briefly considered trade bait in the Jaeger O’Meara deal three years ago, has since become one of the club’s most important and damaging players.
His strong intercept marking and damaging rebound game this season has again put the fiery redhead in the All-Australian mix for a second-straight season.
The excellent form could catapult Sicily’s pay packet into the $700,000-$800,000-a-year range, and potentially even more if rivals come hard for the 24-year-old’s signature.
Tom Mitchell and O’Meara are believed to be Hawthorn’s two highest-paid players, while Chad Wingard also signed a decent deal to come across to Waverley late last year.
Coniglio talks heat up
Expect Greater Western Sydney to hold important talks with Stephen Coniglio’s management over the next fortnight.
Coniglio’s manager, Tom Petroro, from TLA-Stride Sports, has recently returned from a trip to Europe.
Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda are the leading suitors for the superstar free agent.
The clubs that should ask about Papley
Sydney’s Tom Papley is creating interest as a damaging forward line and midfield pressure player.
The former apprentice plumber from Bunyip is in excellent form, snagging nine goals in his past three games.
But the Swans say he is going nowhere, having locked the hard nut away until the end of next season.
Carlton and North Melbourne, who would both love his hard edge in attack, should pick up the phone, regardless.
Dogs in box seat for Giants free agent
The Western Bulldogs lead the chase for GWS big man Adam Tomlinson.
The versatile tall is a free agent and could play a vital key defensive role for the Dogs next year at the opposite end to star spearhead Aaron Naughton.
He also has the tank to play a damaging running game on the wing.
The Dogs will have the $650,000-a-year it would take to seal his signature at season’s end, after Tom Boyd’s surprise retirement last week.
Tomlinson, 25, was open to a move to St Kilda two years ago but the deal fell over. Former St Kilda list chief Ameet Bains has since become the Dogs’ chief executive.
Dogs need cure form goalkicking epidemic
Surely it’s time for Western Bulldogs to appoint a goalkicking coach.
Remarkably, the Dogs are in the bottom few clubs in the country for set-shot goal kicking accuracy for the fourth year in a row.
They’re ranked second-last (46.2 per cent) this year and were 16th last year (46.7), 18th in 2017 (45.7) and 17th in 2016 (50.9). It’s time to act at the kennel.
St Kilda has jumped into the top six for set-shot accuracy this season with the help of specialist coach Ben Dixon after a couple of inaccurate years.
Can Tigers find space to keep Ellis?
Damien Hardwick admits he has fallen back in love with Brandon Ellis.
Now the in-form Tigers wingman will have to hope the club’s list management has the will — and cap space — to show him some affection too.
Clubs that are crying out for leg speed and precision kicking like Carlton are expected to come hard at the restricted free agent.
No talks have started yet, with Ellis assessing his options but clearly keen to stay if the price is right.
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He has peeled off four 100-plus point rankings points games in the past six weeks, including last week’s 35-possession, 10-contested possession game against Hawthorn.
Those who pot his kicking should note that it is in the elite category this season, with Ellis also kicking five goals in eight games.
The Tigers have just signed up Noah Balta and Jason Castagna, with talks with Sydney Stack not far away.
Their rookie revelation has set the competition alight, with his manager Paul Peos to hold talks with Richmond list manager over the split round.
Liam Baker is also shooting up the player rankings after a stellar start to the season, set for a pay rise after only signing a one-year deal last October.
Suns pass on mid-season pick
Gold Coast’s decision not to spend an extra $70,000 on a second mid-season draft pick shows how thin the AFL’s new baby will be next Monday.
The Suns could have the second pick in the draft — if they lose and the Roos beat the Bulldogs — and are seen to have strong interest in Coburg best-and-fairest winner Lochie Dickson, a 190cm midfielder averaging 23 touches this year.
They also have a second pick but won’t use it, believing it is a waste of money given the small chance of that player making the grade.
Clubs have to stump up $50,000 for a player, then pay them a $20,000 exit fee if they don’t retain them the next year.
Brisbane football boss David Noble doesn’t even have a pick in the mid-season draft but can’t help being nervous.
His twin sons John (a West Adelaide wingman) and Mark (South Adelaide) were both been invited to this week’s medical screenings, with the Lions lack of a retiree or long-term injury at least meaning he doesn’t have to recuse himself from talks on the boys.
The Noble twins have both impressed in recent weeks in SANFL circles, with SA-based clubs watching with interest.
“They both ended up getting an invite so fingers crossed,” Noble said.
“I am just trying to stay out of it all. It’s tough enough for them already without a dad in the industry.”
Originally published as Moneyball: Latest trade whispers, contract news on James Sicily, Adam Tomlinson, Brandon Ellis
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