AFL pre-season 2023: Noah Anderson says Bailey Humphrey can help fill absence of Izak Rankine

Looking for a gun rookie to make some quick cash? According to an AFL star, this top-10 pick looks like they could ‘run out there today as a first-year player’ and looms as a Round 1 selection.

Gold Coast’s emerging star Noah Anderson says he was so determined to pledge his long-term future to the club he never considered signing a deal of less than four seasons.

The Herald Sun can reveal Anderson has added another four years to his contract, with a deal set to expire at the end of this season now locked in through to October 2027.

That deal takes the 21-year-old through to free agency in a major coup for the club’s stated mission of retaining its senior core of players.

Anderson could have named his price if he had put off talks until year’s end but told News Corp he wasn’t even interested in asking manager Paul Connors if there was rival interest.

Noah Anderson is very happy on the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

“No, there was no conversation. I said I was happy here, let’s get the deal done,” Anderson said.

Despite the shock departure of Izak Rankine to Adelaide, Anderson said the Suns have built a core group of players who wouldn’t even consider returning to heartland states.

The Suns will finally be able to concentrate on their finals aspirations free of contract discussions with Ben King (2024), Jack Lukosius (2026) and Touk Miller (2027) among the club’s high-profile players to commit in the past year.

Anderson’s best mate Matt Rowell signed on for two extra seasons in December, but it is Anderson who has quickly become the Suns’ best midfielder after Miller.

He finished second to captain Miller in the best-and-fairest in an explosive season mixing centre square clearances, 549 possessions and 11 goals.

“It was a pretty easy decision for me. I have really enjoyed living up here, I am really close with the playing group and staff,” he said.

“It was only a matter of time when it rolled around and the finer details of the contract. I guess it’s happened in the last two months and it was pretty straight forward. I was really happy to get it out of the way and finished before the year starts. I wanted to park it and end all speculation.”

Anderson after kicking the match-winning goal against the Tigers last year. Picture: Getty Images

On the length of the four-year extension, Anderson said there was no reason to sign a shorter deal.

“I feel like in two years I would be having exactly the same conversation. I might as well be here for four years. I want to play finals. We all want to play finals.

“We are really hungry to play finals and start winning finals and ultimately win a premiership.”

Anderson admits the players were “disappointed” in Rankine’s decision but has already thrown up No. 6 pick Bailey Humphrey, a powerful 185cm mid-forward, as a Round 1 smokey.

“I think the playing group was a little disappointed to lose ‘Ranks’. We had a lot of people put a lot of time into him but it’s his decision and I hope he goes well. It opens a window for players sniffing around that spot. There have been a few sniffing around in the pre-season. It’s exciting to see players like Mal Rosas and Joel Jeffrey step up.

“Bailey Humphrey looks really strong and mature as a player. He looks like he could run out there today as a first-year player. He is such a good kid.

Izak Rankine in his new colours.

Rankine’s departure could open the door for new draftee Bailey Humphrey.

“He is a pretty powerful athlete. He has the potential to change games and really impact games. I am so excited to play with him and learn off him and hopefully he can learn off me.”

King is being held back but has taken part in some sessions at 75 per cent intensity off his ACL tear, while Anderson says his great mate Rowell has taken another step forward after his return to form in 2022.

“He plays such an important role for our midfield and team. He missed a lot of footy and was thrown back into the AFL system and needed time to adjust. He ran a really good 2km time trial recently and he’s covering the ground really well.

“He is trying to learn a bit more about how to find some uncontested ball and sometimes he thinks only the hard stuff counts.”

EX-SAINT HANDED ROOKIE LIFELINE BY FLAG CONTENDER

Matt Turner

Former St Kilda defender Darragh Joyce has signed a one-year deal with Brisbane.

The Irishman, who played 13 games with the Saints over six, seasons, had been training with the Lions since last week.

Brisbane had a squad spot open this month when concussion-affected backman Marcus Adams was placed on the inactive list.

Brisbane football manager Danny Daly said the club thought Joyce, 25, would be a great fit.

“We’re really pleased to have Darragh on board to help bolster our defence,” he said.

“We’ve been watching his journey over the past few years and we feel confident he can play a role in our team.”

Darragh Joyce has joined the Lions. Picture: Julian Smith

Joyce joined the Saints as a category B rookie in 2016 and made his AFL debut two years later.

He said he was thrilled to be at the Lions and back in the AFL.

“I had contemplated moving home this year and I did head home (to Ireland) for September and October, and then when I came back I just realised I love it down here (in Australia) and I have an itch to play,” Joyce said.

“It’s great to have the Irish connection with my good friend Conor (McKenna) and also Jimmy (Madden).

“Irish lads who come to Australia to play AFL football – we look out for each other.”

Clubs with vacant list spots have until February 15 to fill them during the supplemental selection period.

Why Stocker believes he’s ready to prove Blues wrong

— Jay Clark

Former Carlton defender Liam Stocker says he wants to add a physical and explosive edge to St Kilda’s defensive mix after joining the club’s list on Friday.

Stocker, who was cut from the Blues after 28 games in four years, was added to the Saints’ squad under the supplemental selection period rules after impressing in recent weeks.

The hard nut, who turns 23 on Monday, said he was determined to make the most of his second chance.

“My physicality has been on show since I got drafted. I love the rough and tumble and that’s something I feel like I’ve got different to most AFL players now,” Stocker said.

“I want to play a lot of games of AFL football this year and I think I’m in a really good position to do that.

Liam Stocker has received a rookie lifeline from St Kilda. Picture by Michael Klein

“My ball skills and explosion I’ve got back after a couple of years of injury, so I’m really excited to bring those and show the Saints supporters what I’m about.”

Stocker has a penetrating kick and is strong around the ball but his fitness was an issue at Ikon Park where he averaged 13 disposals a game.

The club had one more spot to potentially fill by February 15. Former Essendon tall utility Josh Eyre is also training at the club.

Stocker said he was excited to begin a new chapter in red, white and black.

“I couldn’t be happier to sign on as a Saint,” Stocker said.

“The last few months have reaffirmed to me how much I want this and I really believe I can contribute at AFL level. I’m very thankful to my coaches and those around me for giving me this chance.

“As a lifelong Saints fan, I’m looking forward to seeing what the club’s 150th year will hold and I’m stoked to be a part of it.”

Football manager Geoff Walsh said Stocker had multiple strengths and had deserved his second chance.

“We are pleased to offer Liam a place on our list for the upcoming season,” Walsh said.

“Liam has been holding nothing back over the past few months and has really proven to us that he’s got the right qualities and mindset we believe will make an impact within our side.

“His contested work is one of his key strengths, as is his ability to use both feet, and we look forward to seeing him make the most of his opportunity with St Kilda.”

St Kilda is on the hunt for a new list manager after James Gallagher stepped away last month.

Former Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni, who originally picked Stocker for the Blues in 2018 as part of a controversial pick deal with Adelaide, was touted as a likely candidate for the new list job.

Silvagni has not commented publicly about whether he is interested in a comeback to club land.

Silvagni worked with Ross Lyon in his first coaching stint at St Kilda.