AFL trade news: Stay up to date with the latest player movement
As Brodie Grundy edges closer to a Collingwood exit, details of the trade deal the club can expect from Melbourne have become clearer.
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Melbourne is prepared to deal fairly with Collingwood on Brodie Grundy’s certain trade to the Demons as Simon Goodwin emphatically shut down any trade speculation about Kysaiah Pickett.
The Pies have aggressively driven the trade of Grundy to the Dees to shed salary space to fit in a list of players that includes Dan McStay, who had his exit interview on Thursday.
The Chris Fagan controversy has delayed any public announcements but McStay has made clear he will take up a five-year, $3 million free agency contract with the Pies.
Grundy will find his way to the Demons and while only one suitor means there is no bidding war over his services the Demons are prepared to make a suitable trade that reflects his worth as a 28-year-old.
That deal will see Collingwood funding $300,000 of his $1 million salary and allow the Demons to secure two first-round picks for Luke Jackson and hand over a draft selection to the Pies.
While the Demons could low-ball Collingwood given they need him off their books both parties have been engaged in constructive and productive talks.
Melbourne is aware its fans are sceptical about the Grundy-Max Gawn ruck combination but the true extent of the club’s injuries through the finals are only now becoming clear.
The Herald Sun reported on the day of the losing semi-final Gawn was banged up and battling a groin injury.
It can be revealed the uncapped Jacob Van Rooyen was actually in the team mid-week with Gawn out before finally taking his place in the side.
Bayley Fritsch (knee) and Ben Brown (knee) were severely hampered with Tom McDonald coming back from a lisfranc injury, while Jack Viney (foot) required post-season surgery for a nagging complaint.
The Demons believe when fully fit Gawn is easily capable of playing a prominent role as a key forward at times while playing in tandem with Grundy.
It will give the Demons the best ruck tandem in the game for at least the next three years, with coach Simon Goodwin outlining his vision on RSN Radio this week.
“They are different types of ruckmen. They are both outstanding at what they do. Brodie is a very good tap ruckmen, he follows up incredibly well and we think having the two of them gives us a different dynamic forward of the ball,” he said.
Whichever ruckman is in and around the fotoy they will give us enormous advantage and provide a pretty talented midfield group with the first advantage to win the ball
“We think they can work in well but Brodie is a contracted player at Collingwood, we haven’t had much information in terms of where that sits and we will wait for that.”
Pickett has strong interest from Port Adelaide but as a country WA boy has no real desire to head to South Australia despite spending some of his formative years living with relative Byron Pickett in the suburbs of Adelaide.
“We can’t understand where this story has come from,” Goodwin said.
“‘Kosi left his exit interview a couple of days ago and he can’t speak more highly of his love of the Melbourne footy club and his love of his teammates and his joy to be in our program.
“I am not sure where the rumours have come from but he is going to be a Melbourne player for a very long time.”
CATS EYE TRADE FOR SELWOOD SUCCESSOR
Max Hatzoglou
GWS midfielder Tanner Bruhn will request a trade to Geelong in the upcoming trade period as the Cats look set to sign the promising 20-year-old to fill the shoes of its veteran midfielders.
It’s believed Bruhn has spoken with Hawthorn and North Melbourne but wants to sign a three-year deal to join the Cats after impressing in his 30 games as a midfielder/forward at GWS.
The signature of Bruhn is set to fill the void that will be left behind by legendary midfielder Joel Selwood, 34, once he retires.
The Cats recently announced the retirement of Shaun Higgins at age 34 and will likely have more of its midfielders hang up the boots in the coming seasons.
Isaac Smith, Mitch Duncan, Cameron Guthrie and Sam Menegola are all in their 30s.
Bruhn grew up in Geelong and attended St Joseph‘s College before moving to Geelong Grammar in Year 10 on a football and cricket scholarship.
He represented Geelong Falcons outside of school football where he made his debut in the team as a 16-year-old.
The pick number 12 in the 2020 national draft was nominated for Goal of the Year his first season in the AFL in round eight last year.
ANOTHER TOP PICK UP FOR GRABS IN SUNS SALARY DUMP
- Jay Clark
Gold Coast playmaker Jack Bowes has emerged as a trade target for Victorian rivals as he weighs up his future with the Suns.
The No. 10 pick from the 2016 draft has attracted interest from several clubs after an injury-marred season.
Talks on his future are expected to ramp up next week as the Suns prepare to make some aggressive moves in a bid to prime the list for a shot at a finals berth next season.
Gold Coast has been forced to pay premium price for its slew of high draft picks and are prepared to be bold in next month’s exchange period to help free up some salary cap space for other strategic targets.
Bowes has shown a lot of promise as a silky defender-midfielder across six seasons and remains contracted to the club until the end of 2024.
The Cairns product is on a healthy wage for the next two seasons and could be part of a salary dumping exercise which clubs including Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney have performed to help reset their lists.
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The Suns remain happy to keep Bowes for next year, and will make a call depending on the level of interest from rival clubs and other moves.
He averaged 21 disposals a game last year and will begin to enter the prime part of his career next year as a ready-made playmaker.
Adelaide is expected to land jet forward Izak Rankine, while Brayden Fiorini could land at Collingwood.
Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell has shown interest in moving to Collingwood but any deal with the Magpies remains a long way off.
Bowes, 24, endured a difficult year playing only five games on the back of a preseason shoulder injury which required surgery.
But the 83-gamer is highly-rated for his ball use and could bob up on Hawthorn’s radar as Sam Mitchell looks to rejuvenate an ageing midfield.
In particular the Hawks want to attract more players with precise kicking skills to help execute an attacking game style Mitchell has begun to implement.
Hawthorn’s field kicking is rated 12th in the competition based on Champion Data’s kicking analysis.
Spearhead Mitch Lewis (+13 above average) and Blake Hardwick (+4) were rated the two best kicks at the club in 2022.
It remains unclear what Gold Coast would want in return for Bowes but removing his salary from the club’s books would help alleviate some salary cap pressure.
Bowes could also loom large for Adelaide which is also being aggressive after making a play for Suns’ star Rankine.
The Crows will have to satisfy Gold Coast with a first-round draft pick in exchange for brilliant goal kicker Rankine.
Heppell re-signs, but captaincy in doubt
Essendon faces a big decision whether to appoint a new captain for next season after re-signing loyal skipper Dyson Heppell for next year.
Heppell took time making the call to continue in the red and black for next season amid some interest from Gold Coast about a playing-coaching opportunity.
But Heppell, whose leadership was crucial helping steer the club through the drugs saga, has recommitted to Essendon to ensure he rounds out his career at Tullamarine.
However, there are no guarantees Heppell will continue on as captain next season as he may prefer to focus more on his own spot in the team under a new coach in 2023.
Leading contenders to take over as captain include star midfielder Zac Merrett and No. 1 draft pick Andrew McGrath.
Ruckman Sam Draper is highly-rated for his leadership potential and Dylan Shiel could do the job after a strong second half of the 2022 season.
Heppell, 30, said his faith in Essendon has not faded despite a difficult season.
Although this year has been tough, I have real belief in our playing group and I’m committed to continuing to support the growth of this program,” Heppell said.
“I look forward to working with our new coach and putting in a big pre-season together as we build towards 2023.”
List boss Adrian Dodoro said Heppell’s signature was important for the club.
“Dyson is an instrumental figure at our football club and we’re so pleased that we will see him play out the remainder of his career at our club,” Dodoro said.
“It is universally known how selfless and caring Dyson as a person is, and he has always done what he thinks is best for the team.
“Dyson’s recommitment to the Club shows just how driven he is to take this club forward in 2023, and he remains incredibly important to our football program, both on and off the field.”
Cat’s hopes for reunion for brother
- Jon Ralph
Geelong defender Jack Henry says he would love to play alongside brother Ollie in the same manner as Cam and Zach Guthrie as the Pies forward considers his future in coming weeks.
The 24-year-old played with Ollie and older brother Tom at times, with all three playing for Geelong side St Marys before Ollie and Jack progressed through to the NAB League side Geelong Falcons.
Asked if he would like to be teammates with Ollie again, Jack Henry made clear he would relish the prospect.
“Yeah, of course. It’s always a bit of a dream playing with your brothers. Me and my older brother Tom and Ollie, I played with them all at different times. I would go up a couple of age groups or Ollie went up a couple of age groups and it’s a special thing,” Henry told the Herald Sun.
“Watching what Cam and Zach do, it’s pretty cool but it’s not really in the front of my mind, those decisions. It’s not in my court. I am happy here at Geelong so I can’t make decisions for him, really.”
Henry finished only two votes short of eventual winner Tom Stewart in last year’s Geelong best and fairest but underwent foot surgery on a fracture over summer.
A flare-up meant he missed rounds 6-14 but he had gathered momentum in recent weeks and will take the next-best key forward after Sam De Koning tackles Lance Franklin.
“It’s been the most challenging season in terms of fluctuations with highs and lows. I am feeling really good now which is the most important part. It was a tough middle part of the season but it’s all character building. I am assuming I will be playing back and I will probably be assigned to someone.
“That’s a later-in-the-week problem and big Sammy helps so I usually don’t take the biggest defender but I will play on a handful of guys and try to get it done.”
“Whether it’s (Isaac) Heeney or those dangerous forwards, whoever stays deep. You try to stick to what you know. I have played on those guys before and it’s a Grand Final, I guess, but it’s not going to be too different to what I have done before.”
Dees up ante in ruckman pursuit
- Chris Cavanagh
Melbourne has declared it will go “all-out” to secure another star ruckman during this year’s trade and free agency period as Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy weighs up a move to the club.
The Demons met with Grundy early last month and are one of the clubs in the mix to secure the services of the two-time All-Australian, alongside Port Adelaide and Geelong.
After Collingwood exited the finals race against Sydney on Saturday, the Magpies will conduct exit meetings this week where Grundy’s future will become clearer.
The 28-year-old is currently contracted with Collingwood until the end of 2027, but the Magpies are keen to off-load his sizeable salary as they seek to bring in multiple trade and free agent targets.
“He’s a contracted player at Collingwood,” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said on Fox Footy’s AFL360 on Monday night.
“I’m sure they’ll have their exits this week and we’ll be a bit clearer to where that sits.
“Clearly there’s an interest from us, but we’ve got to wait and see how that plays out.”
The Demons already have 2022 All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn on their books, leading some to question why they are pursuing Grundy.
However, Goodwin said he was confident that the addition of a second senior ruckman would work wonders for the side after developing young ruckman Luke Jackson signalled his intention to return home to Western Australia at his own exit meeting last week.
“We wouldn’t have had these discussions if we didn’t think it would work,” Goodwin said.
“We’ve got some planning in and around that. We’ve spent some time analysing how that would look within our game system and our style. We think it works for us as a team. So we’ll go all-out to fill that void that Luke Jackson’s going to leave for us and Brodie’s one of those people that we’re looking at.”
Grundy last played in Round 6 this season, having suffered knee and ankle injuries this year.
Originally published as AFL trade news: Stay up to date with the latest player movement
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