Moneyball: Follow all the latest trade, contract and draft news across the AFL
GWS is finals bound and will have one of the earliest picks in the draft thanks to Collingwood’s woes. Here’s where the key pick swaps sit ahead of Round 23.
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Ross Lyon has always maintained the caveat for him returning to coaching was his desire to bring in a hand-picked team of assistant coaches.
With Lyon tipped as the man to likely take over from David Teague at Carlton, the whispers abound that he could target a pair of former Saints who played under him at Moorabbin. Former GWS assistant Lenny Hayes and highly-rated Richmond assistant coach Andrew McQualter are both believed to be in the frame to reunite with their former coach.
Lyon said on Triple M back in May: “The only way I would even consider doing it (coaching a third AFL club) … there’s a few assistant coaches that I really respect their knowledge and what they’re capable of.”
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McQualter has been one of the key personnel at Punt Rd in the club’s dynasty of three flags across the past five seasons.
He landed at Richmond at the end of 2013 as a development coach following his 94-game career with the Saints and the Suns.
He has been a midfield coach, stoppage coach and forwards coach in his time at the club and would be a key acquisition if he chose to leave the Tigers.
Hayes, one of St Kilda’s favourite sons, made a big impression as an assistant coach with the Giants. He joined GWS in 2015 – the year after his retirement – but left the AFL industry after the 2020 season.
OUT HOOKER, IN TALIA?
Essendon’s forward line will revolve around boom youngster Harry Jones next year with Cale Hooker set to retire at the end of the season.
Hooker, 32, was new coach Ben Rutten’s focal point this season and kicked 33.24 in 18 games before he was dropped last month.
The swingman and eligible free agent was open to going on in 2022, but the Bombers are keen to fast-track the development of 22-year-old Jones and teenagers such as Nik Cox, Kaine Baldwin and Zach Reid.
It is set to be a quiet off-season for the Bombers with list manager Adrian Dodoro already safely locking away prized players Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish and Jake Stringer.
Hooker has been a magnificent servant for the Bombers, playing 219 games and earning All-Australian honours in 2014 as a defender.
Hooker claimed a best-and-fairest playing at the other end of the ground the following season.
The West Australian’s retirement means the Bombers have almost moved on entirely from the 2012 drugs saga, with captain Dyson Heppell and injured defender Michael Hurley set to be the only players on Essendon’s 2022 list who took part in the supplements program.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and I will leave the game at the end of the season knowing I left no stone unturned to give the club, my teammates and the fans everything I had,” Hooker said.
“Representing this jumper is something I will never take for granted.”
Essendon is keen to bolster its key-position depth at both ends, but will hold on to its first-round pick in this year’s draft.
Adelaide key backman Daniel Talia has been linked to the Bombers but there have been no serious discussions about a play for him just yet.
Richmond is another club who could consider the delisted Crows veteran to replace retiring full-back David Astbury, a move that has the backing of Tiger legend Matthew Richardson.
Meanwhile, Michael Hurley is considering his next step after missing the year with a serious blood infection.
HARD-TACKLING BOMBER EARN ANOTHER YEAR
Matt Guelfi has received the 24th birthday present he was hoping for – a new one-year deal to stay with the Bombers off the back of his most impressive AFL season.
Guelfi, who celebrated his birthday last Saturday, has played a career-best 18 games this season in a variety of roles as Essendon has put in the finals frame with one game to go.
The former Claremont utility has thrived under Ben Rutten and is in line to play in his first final after four seasons at the club, pending a victory over Collingwood this week.
Essendon general manager of list management and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said the decision to offer Guelfi a contract for 2022 was a reward for his determination and effort.
“He came to us at the end of 2017 as a mature draftee and he’s been able to make an immediate impact in his time at the club,” Dodoro said.
“We really rate Matt’s effort and intensity around the contest, and we know he’s a player who’s really driven to get the best out of himself.
“We look forward to seeing Matt’s growth over the off-season and into next year.
Essendon has been in a purple patch on the field in recent weeks and it’s now translated into its list management department. The Bombers have locked away another emerging talent with defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher signing a two-year deal. The 22-year-old has played six matches this season and has impressed with his intercept marking ability since his debut in 2019.
Essendon general manager of list management and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said Zerk-Thatcher was a key part of the Bombers’ future plans.
“It’s no secret talls take time to develop and he’s been someone who’s needed that time to fill out his body and get confident in the role,” Dodoro said.
“We have no doubt ‘Thatch’ will continue to grow in that position and become a really viable defensive option in the future given the attributes he already possesses.”
Former Bomber Travis Colyer has also won a new deal with Fremantle after his best season with the club.
Colyer turns 30 next week, but has played more games for the Dockers this year (21) than in his two previous seasons at the club.
HOW MUCH WILL PICK SWAP COST MAGPIES?
It hasn’t just been the Giants barracking against teams in terms of draft haulage following the exchange of 30 future picks last year.
Plenty of other clubs have had the voodoo doll out, hoping the deals they did last off-season can result in a bountiful draft booty this year.
Few could have anticipated just how good a deal it was for GWS to secure Collingwood’s first round draft pick.
The Magpies went into 2021 thinking they could still play finals, despite their salary cap dump trade period, but they currently sit 16th on the ladder, giving the Giants the No. 3 pick.
Worse still, if Collingwood loses to Essendon, and Adelaide defeats North Melbourne, on Sunday, that Giants’ pick would end up being No.2.
Brisbane hasn’t been so lucky. The Lions gambled on the Demons missing finals for a third successive season after securing their 2021 first round pick in a flurry of pick swaps last year, hoping they might be able to end up with a top 10 pick.
That hasn’t happened as the pick has blown out with Melbourne now realistically eyeing off its first flag in 57 years.
The Tigers have access to Geelong’s No. 1 pick in the draft, which will increase their options heading into the draft, but they probably always knew the Cats would be pushing for a flag.
BALDWIN SHOWS WHY BOMBERS TOOK PUNT
Essendon’s punt on a rough diamond who was overlooked in last year’s draft could pay dividends after a promising debut at the weekend.
Kaine Baldwin, who was touted as a first-round talent before two knee reconstructions, shone in a match scrimmage involving Bombers, Gold Coast Suns and Sydney Swans players on Sunday.
The 194cm key forward kicked two goals and impressed with his strong marking and tackle pressure in his first serious hit out after being conservatively managed in recent months.
Essendon picked up Baldwin, 19, in the supplementary selection period in March after clubs passed him up in the draft amid concerns about his twice reconstructed right knee.
But the Bombers remain optimistic about Baldwin’s prospects and last week signed the South Australian to a one-year contract extension.
VFL coach Leigh Tudor sung the physical forward’s praises after his comeback game at Windy Hill.
“As a key-position player, his want to defend, tackle and apply pressure in our forward half created two or three goals,” Tudor said.
“His first goal was from a really physical tackle. It was really exciting and the boys were up and about.”
Baldwin will attempt to build again on his conditioning and strength over summer and play some consistent matches in the VFL in 2022.
He starred at under-16 level and was named in the Australian under-17 team before the knee injuries struck.
Baldwin said before being picked up by the Bombers he was determined to forge an AFL career.
“Clubs haven’t been able to see much of me in the past two years but hopefully they look at what I was able to do in my under-16s year and see the potential I have,’’ Baldwin said.
TALL TIM HOLDS OFF CONTRACT TALKS
Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English is keen to stay at the Kennel but talks on a new deal are expected to drift into next year after a moderate second half of the season.
English was concussed in Round 6, ironically by his good mate and housemate Aaron Naughton, and only returned in Round 11.
He hasn’t quite been himself since and recorded only a single hitout to advantage as the Dogs were smacked in close by Hawthorn on the weekend.
He loves Melbourne and has no plans to return to Perth but isn’t quite ready to sign up for the long-term deal that would push him past free agency.
Fair enough given a massive season next year would lift his market price.
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