AFL Trade rumours: Brodie Grundy’s landing spot all but locked up
The biggest name on the AFL trade market looks all but certain to have found his new home with one suitor now the leading candidate.
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The AFL Finals series is ramping up, but it’s off the field where the real heat is starting to build.
Rumours are flying all over the AFL world with player movement the hottest topic of conversation.
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Here’s all the big rumours and the latest news surrounding moves that could take place over the summer break.
BRODIE GRUNDY: POWER OUT, SWANS SWOOP
The landing spot for Brodie Grundy looks all but set after Port Adelaide officially pulled out of the race for his services.
Grundy, 29, had been linked with a move back to his hometown of Adelaide after joining Melbourne ahead of the 2023 season.
But that was brought to a halt when the Power officially removed themselves from the race with the Sydney Swans now “all but certain” to secure the two-time All-Australian ruckman.
“Grundy is all but certain to head to Sydney after having met with Port Adelaide,” Mitch Cleary stated on Channel 7’s Talking Finals.
The news comes after the Herald Sun reported, in the clubs’ respective meetings with the 29-year old, the Sydney lifestyle and opportunities outside the game appealed more than Port’s football-orientated pitch.
That report stated while the Power’s bid focused heavily on what Grundy could provide for them on field, the Swans leaned more on outside interests.
It’s believed Grundy is keen to embrace the Sydney lifestyle away from the Melbourne spotlight — where he’s been one of the most talked about AFL players after signing a marquee seven-year deal with the Magpies.
PORT ADELAIDE GREAT REMAINS IN THE DARK
Travis Boak’s tenure at Port Adelaide could have run its course.
The 347-game superstar of the club remains in the dark of where his 2024 future lies with contract talks said to be at an impasse.
“He’s been told he’s done at Port Adelaide, but he doesn’t think he’s done,” Sam Edmund said SEN’s Whateley on Tuesday.
“So the question is would he be willing to play elsewhere and who would take him? A celebrated, loyal player at Port Adelaide Football Club whose – in the mind of the club – playing days are done.
“But Travis Boak, what will he look to do with his playing future going forward?”
MELBOURNE TRIO LOOK SET TO BE ON THE WAY OUT
The Demons are set to be one of the busiest teams during the AFL Trade Period with the club facing major changes.
Along with the Grundy departure, three other players look set to head out the door and find new homes.
Second-year player James Jordon has been linked with joining a Victorian rival while SEN reporter Sam Edmund believes two senior players will be shopped despite having another year to run on their contracts.
“James Jordon is highly likely to leave, possibly to St Kilda,” Edmund said on SEN’s Whateley.
“Then you’ve got the contracted James Harmes, Melbourne would like his cash off the books as they would Adam Tomlinson who like Harmes also has a year to run on his Demons deal.
“Those two could need to find new homes. Melbourne would preferably like them to move on.”
The Age’s Sam McClure said the writing appears to be on the wall for the 27-year-old Harmes.
“James Harmes is leaving Melbourne,” McClure said on Tradies Podcast.
“He’s basically been frozen out from the team. He won’t play for Melbourne again and hasn’t been in consideration for the senior squad for several weeks (and has now injured his hamstring).
“He’s got four clubs that have enquired about him through his management – Richmond, Carlton, Sydney and Essendon.
“He can’t go to Essendon, how many small midfielders do they want? What are they doing … he doesn’t fit their need. I couldn’t imagine him going to Essendon.
“He can’t go to Carlton. How is he going to get a game? This is no disrespect to James Harmes, I think he’s going to be a good AFL player wherever he goes. But who is he pushing out of Carlton’s midfield?
“Richmond makes sense I reckon. He’d play every week for Richmond, he’s an experienced mid who can play inside and outside alongside (Jacob) Hopper and (Tim) Taranto and let them go to work.
“He makes sense at Sydney, for 12 weeks they’ve been 18th in contested footy … they just need help in the midfield.
“For me, he’s Richmond or Sydney bound, those would be my two cents … look out for James Harmes in either those two colours next year.”
BOMBER, DOG & CAT KEEN TO JOIN POWER
While Melbourne will have a busy trade period on their hands, Port Adelaide will be just as active.
Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet officially requested a trade to the Power on Wednesday while the club have also been linked with moves for Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and Essendon’s Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
Originally published as AFL Trade rumours: Brodie Grundy’s landing spot all but locked up
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