Battle brewing over AFL star clients after player agent Nick Gieschen’s switch from TLA-ESP to Connors Sports

A prominent player agent is set to defect from TLA-ESP to join forces with rival stable Connors Sports, setting the scene for a fight to retain stars such as Zach Merrett and Ollie Wines.

Top player agent Nick Gieschen has defected from Craig Kelly’s empire to join rival management stable Connors Sports.

Gieschen formally resigned from TLA-ESP this week and is set to join forces with industry heavyweights Paul Connors and Robbie D’Orazio next year.

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It means Gieschen, who is widely considered one of the best up-and-coming managers in footy, could bring some of the biggest names in the game across to the Connors stable.

Gieschen looks after Port Adelaide jet Ollie Wines, Essendon star Zach Merrett and Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney among others.

He has also orchestrated moves for Fremantle’s Rory Lobb, Geelong’s Gary Rohan, Kangaroo Dom Tyson and Essendon’s Tom Cutler and has handles ex-Magpie Sam Murray, who is attempting to return to the AFL after his drug ban.

Nick Gieschen is considered one of the rising stars in player management.

Gieschen’s departure was a disappointing development for TLA-ESP which will strive to keep all of his clients.

But Gieschen is known to have strong relationships with his players and will seek to bring some, if not all, across to Connors Sports.

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However, it remains unclear when Gieschen, who is the son of former Richmond coach and umpires’ boss Jeff Gieschen, will be able to start at Connors Sports.

Nick Gieschen manages several star clients including Essendon’s Zach Merrett.

Connors and D’Orazio look after a huge slice of the game’s superstar players including Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy, Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, Richmond’s Tom Lynch, Carlton’s Marc Murphy, West Coast’s Nic Naitanui and former Hawthorn and Brisbane champion Luke Hodge.

Originally published as Battle brewing over AFL star clients after player agent Nick Gieschen’s switch from TLA-ESP to Connors Sports