AFL Trade 2023: The latest contract, list and free agency news

Despite speculation, it would be Collingwood – not Melbourne – who would pay Brodie Grundy to play for a third club. Here’s why.

Paddy Dow, Brodie Grundy, James Worpel

Melbourne would not have to pay a cent of Brodie Grundy’s ongoing contract if he was traded as the Demons face a decision on his AFL recall this week.

The Demons and Collingwood brokered a deal last off-season that saw the Pies still paying around $250,000 of his $900,000-plus contract per season until it expired in 2027.

With Grundy playing VFL there was speculation that Collingwood could somehow extricate itself from paying a portion of that deal if he was traded to a third party.

AFL rules do allow three clubs to pay a portion of a player’s contract.

But this masthead understands under the contract lodged with the AFL, the Pies have a separate arrangement with Grundy to the Demons’ $650,000-a-season deal.

Brodie Grundy has separate contractual arrangements with Melbourne and his former club Collingwood. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

If Melbourne did trade him, Collingwood would continue to pay that $250,000 portion of his contract for the next four years.

If a third club was prepared to pay the $650,000-plus remaining on his contract the Demons would have no more financial obligations.

Melbourne could not be more adamant privately or publicly that they are prepared to persevere with the Max Gawn-Grundy arrangement long-term.

They have no plans to trade him or test the trade market but Grundy could ultimately demand a trade if he does not see himself as a long-term ruck prospect at the Demons.

Port Adelaide is a likely suitor if Grundy decides he needs a new start.

The 29-year-old believed he was at the Demons to play in tandem with Gawn as a ruckman, with the Melbourne captain planning to play more game time forward.

Gawn has put together a mammoth past four games playing sole ruck averaging 22 disposals and 13.5 hit-outs to advantage but is 31 so him playing so many minutes for a full season next year would be unsustainable.

Gawn was one of many Demons who hit finals last year exhausted, which played a part in the Grundy trade for pick 27.

The AFL ensured after the bungled Adam Treloar trade, which required mediation to sort out how much of the $900,000-per-season contract Collingwood paid, that it streamlined the process that saw a club paying a portion of a deal when he moved on.

Grundy will get a test of the club’s faith in him this week after Harrison Petty’s mid-foot sprain, which will put him out for six weeks or longer.

He kicked one goal in his two VFL games since being demoted and did not play last week because Casey had a bye.

Clayton Oliver will also resume in his first game since round 10 after finally recovering from hamstring issues.

The lack of exciting young ruck options across the competition means it would be difficult to replace Grundy if he did leave.

Essendon’s Nick Bryan is out of contract but could stay if Andrew Phillips decides to retire, while Sydney’s Lachlan McAndrew is contracted to 2024.

Richmond’s Ivan Soldo could be hunted as a ruck replacement by rivals while Port Adelaide’s Scott Lycett will only be offered a one-year deal and could find a two-year deal elsewhere.

Blues won’t stand in the way of Dow

Carlton is open to working with Paddy Dow to maximise his chances of playing regular senior football which will likely see him traded to a rival on a multi-year deal.

Former No. 3 pick Dow’s return to form was one of the weekend’s best stories as he kicked a rousing goal in the club’s victory over St Kilda.

But the club has returning midfielders Adam Cerra, Sam Walsh and Matthew Kennedy who are ahead of him in the pecking order at a club that is tight for list spots.

The Blues could yet offer him a one-year contract to stay at the club after it works out its list priorities at the end of the season.

But the more likely outcome is him moving on to a rival side.

Early in the season Dow seemed certain to be delisted which would allow him to move to the club of his choice as a delisted free agent.

Paddy Dow is expected to seek more opportunities at another club next year. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

His recent surge in form shows he is easily good enough to be on the Blues list, but Carlton is aware he will field offers from rival sides with St Kilda one interested party.

If he could secure a two-year deal the Blues would be happy to trade him for minimal or no return, smoothing his path.

Carlton showed their hand with Essendon’s Will Setterfield last year, having offered him a one-year deal to stay.

The popular Setterfield was able to secure a two-year deal at Essendon so they traded him and pick 68 for a fourth-round pick, effectively moving him to the Dons for no trade return.

Carlton confirmed on Sunday they had not yet offered Jack Silvagni a new deal.

It saw former captain Marc Murphy urge the Blues to re-sign the popular fan favourite.

But it is understood part of the reasoning for the postponed talks was that Silvagni was keen to assess his role as a key forward as Tom De Koning’s future played out.

Both parties are happy to wait until the end of the year to assess the way forward.

With Carlton coach Michael Voss making clear on Sunday after the victory over St Kilda he sees Marc Pittonet and De Koning rucking together, Silvagni’s future is clouded.

Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd told ABC radio on Sunday that Silvagni had not been offered a new deal yet.

It led to Murphy’s surprise at the lack of progress on a new deal.

“I am very surprised. He probably started slow like a lot of blokes did at the start of the year. His past four weeks before he got injured were top-shelf and showed he is really important for the side. He is a utility and fills holes wherever they are, as a secondary ruck or up forward or down back as a supporting player.

“Silvagni is the biggest name in Carlton history so supporters will be passionate about seeing Jack Silvagni play in the number one jersey. So it’s interesting to hear there is not currently a contract on the table.”

Out-of-contract Hawk still waiting for new deal

Hawthorn hard man James Worpel remains without a contract for next season as the Hawks drag their feet on an extension for the midfielder.

And the Hawks are also yet to engage on an extension for draftee Josh Weddle.

Worpel, 24, last inked an new contract in early 2020, just months after he won the Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn’s best-and-fairest at just 20 years of age.

James Worpel has been back to his best this year. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The inside midfielder is keen to land a two-year extension with Hawthorn, which would take him to free agency.

It’s understood an offer is on the table but the Worpel and the Hawks remain apart on the terms of the deal, even after early talks began three months ago.

He has not begun looking elsewhere but with just three weeks left in Hawthorn’s season, Worpel could be forced to consider his options if a contract isn’t agreed to.

Fellow Hawks without a deal for next year include Chad Wingard, Finn Maginness, Jacob Koschitzke, Tyler Brockman and Brandon Ryan.

After some indifferent years following his 2019 breakout season, Worpel has returned to his best this year with fellow on-ballers Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara traded out of the rotation.

Josh Weddle has had a strong debut year. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Worpel has averaged 26.1 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 6.4 clearances and 12.6 contested possessions, all numbers on par with his 2019 season, and he will play his 100th game this weekend against the Western Bulldogs.

The former Geelong Falcon has formed a strong midfield mix with Jai Newcombe, Will Day and Conor Nash while the Hawks exceeded expectations in 2023.

Dashing defender Weddle has a contract for 2024 as part of a standard draft deal but is one of the rare first-year impact players to not receive an extension on his first deal.

Most clubs have moved quickly to sign up first-year teens who have become first-22 regulars this year but haven’t picked up the phone to Weddle’s management despite him playing 14 impressive games so far in 2023.

Weddle landed a rising star nomination in round 10 and his run and flair off halfback has been a handy addition to Sam Mitchell’s defensive group this year.

Originally published as AFL Trade 2023: The latest contract, list and free agency news