Brendon Goddard shocked by Essendon delisting and his AFL future is uncertain
BRENDON Goddard’s AFL future is uncertain with three clubs already ruling out signing him for next year. JON RALPH looks at who is out of the race and the defender’s exit from the Bombers.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
POTENTIAL suitors St Kilda, Gold Coast and Fremantle have ruled out recruiting Brendon Goddard, who was blindsided by Essendon’s shock decision to delist him on Monday.
Goddard had been told last Monday he was likely to play on unless the club landed two big trade targets that would take up any spare salary cap room.
But on Monday the 33-year-old was told by the club they would not offer him another contract.
ADAM COONEY: WHY GODDARD SHOULD CALL IT QUITS
LIST CHANGES: EVERY CLUB’S RETIREMENTS, DELISTINGS
AFL DAILY: RE-CAP ALL THE DAY’S BREAKING NEWS
It will give rise to speculation the Bombers are closing in on a trade target, having already publicly confirmed they are interested in Dylan Shiel but not Andrew Gaff or Dayne Beams.
Goddard has looked sore and out of form in recent weeks, with the Bombers desperate to play emerging half backs Aaron Francis, Mason Redman, Martin Gleeson and Jordan Ridley next year.
Former teammate and close friend Nick Dal Santo told the Herald Sun Goddard would still be in the best 22 of most teams.
He said Goddard’s sheer competitive might see him playing on, but says St Kilda cannot be a realistic option given they just forced experienced players Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna into retirement 12 months ago.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson confirmed on Wednesday morning that the club wouldn’t make Goddard an offer.
“I have made noise that we’re looking for experience but we’re pretty right down back,” he said on SEN.
“That’s where I see Brendon’s real value to a young team.
“It’s probably not a need that we have.
“We are pretty right down back. Nathan Brown, Jarryn Geary, Dylan Roberton will come back, Jake Carlisle has played a bit of footy, Jimmy Webster is in the 100-game bracket now.
“That’s where I see Brendon adding real value to a young team given he is such a good organiser and such a creative player from the back.”
Gold Coast is not interest in Goddard, believing it is developing half-backs in Callum Ah Chee and Charlie Ballard, with Pearce Hanley and Lachie Weller also playing off half-back.
Fremantle Steve Rosich told the Herald Sun the Dockers would not reunite Ross Lyon and former player Goddard.
“No, we won’t be recruiting Brendon,” he said.
The Dockers have just re-extended the contracts of 35-year-old Aaron Sandilands as well as 31-year-old Hayden Ballantyne and David Mundy so could hardly bring in a 33-year-old.
St Kilda said it did not comment about players on the market, but football boss Simon Lethlean said recently he liked the principle of recruiting veterans like Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis.
Carlton has expressed a desire for experience and leadership but across half-back has Kade Simpson, Dale Thomas and Ciaran Byrne with Sam Docherty and Tom Williamson returning by Round 1 next year.
Goddard made clear he still felt he had “something to give”, saying “I am at peace with the decision but still weighing up my options, given it is still very raw, I am taking some time to think about the future.”
Worsfold admitted Goddard had been “jolted” by the decision, after finishing top-five in the Essendon best-and-fairest in every year after playing 128 games for the Bombers.
“Brendon felt he could play on but we have a lot of younger players who are pushing up to play so it was the right decision for the club,’’ he said.
Dal Santo said there was no reason why Goddard shouldn’t play on given his solid form.
“I think he can play on. We can all see that when it comes down to his form it’s evident he can do it again,” he said.
“I reckon the person that BJ is, he is so driven in some ways that he could see it as another challenge to overcome.
“Footballers get that mentality where if you are dropped you want to fight back and prove you can come back bigger and better.
“I don’t think St Kilda makes sense, they had Rooey and Joey and moved them on. He could help them but that goes against their plan from 12 months ago, so I don’t think it makes complete sense.”
Worsfold said Goddard disagreed with the club’s call on Monday.
“That would be fair to say, yes. He feels he can still contribute on the field at a really good level and that’s the hard part because he still has done that this year,” Worsfold said.
“It’s an unknown how well he would contribute next year, but as I talked about we’ve got so many other factors we’ve had to throw into the pot to weigh up.”
Goddard will play his final game in red and black on Friday night against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
It will be the former No.1 draft pick’s 334th game after 205 at St Kilda.
In the wake of Essendon’s supplement’s saga, Goddard captained the club in 2016 - the year 34 past and present players were suspended - and won the Crichton Medal in his first year at the club.
Goddard has averaged 22 disposals this season, his lowest return since a knee injury ended his 2007 season after just seven games.
- with Ben Higgins
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
‘Third fiddle’: How does Stringer fit in the Orange Tsunami?
It’s not a guarantee that Jake Stringer will be playing for GWS in 2025, but if he is, there’s plenty to be excited about as a Giants fan. Lachlan McKirdy analyses how ‘The Package’ fits in.
Waiting game? Dockers continue to keep tabs on Swans superstar
The possibility of Chad Warner asking for a move back to Western Australia continues to make the rounds, but how quickly could it happen? Fremantle have had their say on the matter.