Moneyball: Latest AFL trade, draft and contract news and whispers
Two developments for mid-forward Josh Dunkley have swung the pendulum in the Doggies’ favour to keep him at the kennel, but now the club has another gun’s signature in its sights.
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Josh Dunkley is certain to remain at the Western Bulldogs next year and beyond as the club closes in on Tom Liberatore’s signature.
The Dogs this week re-signed Marcus Bontempelli, with CEO Ameet Bains saying he chose a four-year deal over a longer tenure so he did not get stale and complacent.
Now the club will move onto a deal for free agent Liberatore, and also hopes to re-sign ruckman Tim English and wingman Bailey Smith before their deals expire next year.
The Dogs put an initial offer to Liberatore’s management and have now received a counter-offer that they are considering.
That deal is for two years despite the Dogs initially offering only one season given Liberatore’s injury history, with the star extractor turning 29 earlier this month.
A two-year deal would see Liberatore sign with the club rather than going to the market and considering rival offers.
Dunkley officially requested a trade over the off-season, with the hardworking Dog disillusioned with aspects of the club and keen to move to Essendon.
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Essendon will not rule out having another crack at Dunkley, with Bains saying recently he “absolutely” expected rivals to come again for the mid-forward.
But Dunkley, now out with shoulder surgery, started the season on fire as he quickly developed a close relationship with Adam Treloar.
He is understood to have been satisfied not only with his own rule under Luke Beveridge winning more midfield time, but the club’s growing maturity.
Like many clubs the Dogs struggled with their focus and professionalism at times in the hub, with Dunkley seen to be frustrated with some teammates.
The entire club’s focus has been razor-sharp this year, with sacrifices including Josh Bruce’s dedication to go 100 days without drinking to help him snap back into form.
Dunkley told Triple M in early May “I feel like my future is settled”.
But while players can make public statements under pressure Dunkley is genuinely excited about his future at the club, where he is contracted to 2022.
Key Dee bounces back into new deal
Melbourne wingman Alex Neal-Bullen has signed a two-year contract extension with the Demons in reward for his excellent career turnaround.
The hard-running midfielder was one of the players the Demons discussed trading at the end of last season after playing in only seven games for Simon Goodwin in 2020.
But Neal Bullen, who has bounced back brilliantly playing in all of 10 games this season, has become a key part of the Demons’ midfield operations this year as they prepare to face Western Bulldogs in a blockbuster battle on Friday night.
The 25-year-old’s gut-run, off-ball coverage and defensive pressure are important weapons for the Demons who have become one of the best defensive teams in the competition this season.
In particular, the South Australian has been acknowledged for his selfless actions and team play.
The new deal ties Neal-Bullen to the club until the end of 2023 and secures his future after an uncertain lead-up to the exchange period last year.
The Glenelg product has averaged 15 possessions and four tackles a game and has slotted seven goals for the year, pipping veteran Nathan Jones for a senior spot in recent weeks.
The contract extension continues the Demons’ spree which has included new deals for Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Max Gawn among others this year. Neal-Bullen was taken with pick No. 40 in the 2014 national draft.
Forward Sam Weideman is next on list manager Tim Lamb’s priority list.
Another A-lister turns back on Vic clubs
- Chris Honnery
The Lions have moved to lock down one of their most promising young talents for another two years even though he hasn’t played an AFL game this season.
Injured star Cam Rayner has this week re-signed until the end of 2025 in an incredible show of faith from the Brisbane club – who only extended his contract to 2023 last November.
The Lions decided to offer another two years to Rayner’s deal after a serious knee injury on the eve of the 2021 season robbed him of playing any footy for a majority of this year.
Rayner said the club’s culture and promising future made it an easy decision to remain a Lion.
“I’m extremely lucky,” Rayner said.
“When I saw the option to extend was there, I jumped on it straight away and it’s something I didn’t really need to think about.
“It’s a club that I love being at.
“To be injured and still see the club rate me so highly and offer me another two years made me feel pretty good and shows they don’t just see me as a footballer.
“That’s what the culture here is about, we want great footballers but we want great people too.”
Rayner is 10 weeks into his ACL rehabilitation and ticked off a major milestone in his recovery on Tuesday when he was back running again on the Gabba turf.
Players, staff and onlookers erupted into applause at the sight of Rayner running again and the youngster admitted he was grateful for all of the support.
“It was good to be back running,” he said.
“The first couple of steps were a bit wonky but it was great to be back out there.
“To have all the boys support me the way they did, I’m very lucky.
“It’s almost like they’re riding the wave with you.”
A milestone moment, Cam's first run after reco 🙌 #Uncagedpic.twitter.com/qC0xh9fQP5
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) May 25, 2021
The midfielder has praised the playing group’s ability to handle injuries to key players which has allowed the Lions to record their sixth-straight victory last weekend.
Despite being frustrated at not being out on the field with his teammates, Rayner was not one to complain.
“The first couple of weeks were pretty tough,” he said.
“I told my girlfriend when it first happened that the first couple of days I’m going to be a sook to get it out of my system but after that, if I start complaining, I want you to smack me over the back of my head.”
The Lions host GWS Giants at the Gabba on Saturday as part of the AFL’s Indigenous Round.
TOP DOG RESISTS LURE OF FREE AGENCY
– Glenn McFarlane
Brownlow Medal favourite Marcus Bontempelli has resisted the temptation of free agency, signing a new four-year deal with the Western Bulldogs.
In a massive boost for the top of the ladder Dogs ahead of Friday’s mouth-watering clash with Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, Bontempelli has inked a new deal that has locked him into the red, white and blue until at least the end of the 2025 season.
The new contract will take him through until he turns 30, meaning he will almost certainly remain a ‘Bulldog for life’, with Bontempelli saying he believes the club can do “some good really good things” for the duration of his deal.
“Ultimately, I see this club doing some really good things over the next four years – and hopefully longer,” Bontempelli said.
“I’m keen to be as much a part of that as I can be.
“I always wanted to stay a Bulldog. It was important for me to take appropriate time with this decision and to have the right conversations before re-signing. It’s pleasing to know I’ll continue to be a part of the journey at the football club.”
The 25-year-old skipper is enjoying the best season of an already stunning career that has included a premiership (2016), three Charlie Sutton Medals and three All-Australian blazers.
He is currently a $3.50 TAB favourite to win the Brownlow Medal.
The Dogs had always been confident that their marquee star would recommit, with both parties happy to keep it at a four-year term.
Bontempelli has played 155 games since being drafted at pick 4 in the 2013 national draft and has captained the club for the past two seasons.
“The thing that makes great teams great is their willingness to play for the team, play their role, do the challenging and difficult things – and then hopefully we all succeed together,” Bontempelli said. “There’s talent within the group which I think is somewhat clear.”
“But the appetite to make the most of it and not rely on it has been the key focus for us. It’s probably seen us make a bit of a shift and a jump this year from last season.
“There’s definitely excitement and hopefully a little bit of magic in the air for us to continue to explore.”
Bulldogs general manager of list management and football projects Sam Power said Bontempelli’s signature had been a massive vote of faith in the club’s direction.
“It’s a great reflection of the confidence he has in the playing group and the direction we’re heading in as a club,” Power said.
“Marcus has already achieved so much across his eight years as a Bulldog. This long-term commitment ensures he will continue to be an integral part of our club’s push for success on and off the field in the years to come.”
Tall in crosshairs as rival clubs come for Tigers
—Jon Ralph
Gold Coast is part of the chasing pack of clubs attempting to drag Mabior Chol out of Richmond.
The Tigers are keen to hang onto the uncontracted versatile ruck-forward but after 11 games in 2020 he hasn’t played seniors yet this year.
Chol moved to Australia from South Sudan via Egypt in 2008 and his family settled in Queensland.
While he has huge potential and a big upside at only 24 his value to AFL clubs lies in his perfect blend of strong ruckwork and forward craft.
He has as many as five clubs who have asked about his availability in recent weeks.
In only his third AFL game Chol kicked three goals and had seven hit-outs against St Kilda, but he has played only 21 games in his five and a half years at Richmond.
He could play alongside Gold Coast first ruck Jarrod Witts and their star forward Ben King in a setup that allowed him to flourish.
His manager Ralph Carr on Monday confirmed interest from multiple clubs to the Herald Sun but refused to detail their advances.
It is understood Chol’s desire to play regular senior football might see him move on if he cannot break into the Richmond side this year.
But Coleman-Jones is ahead of him if the Tigers decide to play a second ruck or a third tall forward alongside Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch.
Carr has also taken over the management of out-of-contract Cat Quinton Narkle, who said this weekend he had not yet started contract talks.
Narkle has recently moved to the Carr stable and praised his influence after a career-best 34 possessions against Gold Coast.
Chol has averaged 105 ranking points, 14 possessions, 14 hit-outs and 1.6 goals a game in the VFL this year.
Against Brisbane on the weekend he kicked three goals and had 13 score involvements to go with 22 possessions in a commanding performance.
Richmond is already faced with a battle to keep ruck-forward Callum Coleman Jones at Punt Road.
Gold Coast has also inquired about Coleman-Jones, with both stuck behind Toby Nankervis and potentially Ivan Soldo late in the season.
It comes at a time when Richmond is about to recontract star forward Jack Riewoldt, with the Herald Sun revealing his imminent signing last month.
Richmond is also excited about the development of first-year ruck Samson Ryan, with the 206cm ruck-forward kicking four goals on the weekend in a return to form.
The Tigers have two first-round picks and St Kilda’s second round selection in a bumper draft haul that gives them multiple options this season.
They will also consider a debut for father-son Maurice Rioli in coming weeks in a sign of their development.
Richmond takes on Adelaide this week after another loss, this time to Brisbane, and will consider bringing back Shai Bolton, Dion Prestia, Shane Edwards and Trent Cotchin from injury.
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