AFL 2024: Tim English set to push contract talks into 2024 season

After making a return to contact training this week, the AFL’s most prized free agent of 2024 appears set to play deep into the season without a new contract, possibly sparking a bidding war.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 26: Tim English of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the round 24 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, on August 26, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The AFL’s hottest free agent Tim English will let his contract talks drift into the season as he makes progress in his return from migraine-related issues.

English returned to contact training this week after a two-month absence as the club probed migraine issues across December and January.

It is understood English had suffered a training track collision that created those migraines, but it was to the body rather than head.

The Dogs medicos were ultimately able to rule out a repeat of his 2022 concussion issues.

English’s return is a huge positive in an off-season where young teammate Aiden O’Driscoll is the latest AFL player to suffer concussion.

English recently returned to full training. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

He was taken from an intraclub game in an ambulance last week after a sickening head knock with teammate Bailey Williams which teammates said was the loudest collision they had ever heard.

Williams is also in the concussion protocols from that head clash, with star midfielder Jack Macrae also battling with a low level hamstring issue.

He did the warmup at training on Thursday so could miss two weeks of training as a precaution rather than a full month.

Draftee Jordan Croft missed the Dogs’ intraclub contest with a shin issue last week.

O’Driscoll was cleared of a fractured skull but the game was called off given the disturbing scenes.

While Shane Tuck’s coroner recommended less full contact sessions for players across summer, clubs are cramming match simulation sessions into a truncated pre-season.

Many senior players are not in full training until December and then have a three-week Christmas break, community camps and mandated four-day breaks in February.

Jack Macrae is battling a hamstring complaint. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

So ahead of Zero Round in the first week of March many training sessions have a portion of match simulation involving regular or full contact.

West Australian English is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and would have huge interest from rival clubs should he decide to test the market.

In his current club’s favour is that he is invested, playing career-best footy as an All Australian and his partner Rudi has returned from Perth to play Super Netball with the Melbourne Vixens in her home state.

The Western Bulldogs are keen to broker contract talks immediately after already locking away Aaron Naughton on an eight-year extension to 2032.

But they are aware he will instead start the season without a new deal as he balances the team’s progress, rival interest and the club’s financial offer.

Given the current free agent market would see him secure a six or seven-year offer it is an eight million dollar decision for English.

The ruckman will be one of the names to watch this season. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fremantle has its ruck stocks sorted and West Coast has recruited free agent Matthew Flynn but English would still have appeal for a cashed-up Eagles side.

In 2023 he kicked 16 goals to go with 717 hitouts as he averaged 19.3 possessions and four tackles.

He will be desperate to dodge concussion-based issues given he missed six games after a head knock in 2022 and was not his usual impactful self upon his return in round 11 that year.

English heads a list of unsigned Dogs that includes Bailey Smith, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Tom Liberatore.

Smith would likely have requested a trade last year had the Dogs been in any mood to consider his offer and will spend the year mulling his own decision while he rehabs a torn ACL.

With Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood all likely to be suitors again his future will be clouded for some time.

But while Josh Dunkley moved to Brisbane the Dogs under list boss Sam Power have an excellent record of re-signing elite talent and will be tipped as a premiership contender this year after missing finals in 2023.