Moneyball trade news: Latest AFL contract and player movement updates
First it was Alastair Clarkson. Now Essendon is poised to miss out on one of its top trade and free agency targets in another blow.
AFL
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Eexciting forward Cam Zurhaar is edging closer to re-committing to North Melbourne and to new coach Alastair Clarkson’s vision for the future.
It is understood negotiations between North Melbourne and Zurhaar’s management Macs Sports Promotions are tracking well with a resolution expected soon.
Zurhaar has attracted significant interest from a cashed-up Essendon. But he is believed to be close to accepting a two-year offer to stick with the Kangaroos, which would be a massive show of support in the future direction of the club.
The 24-year-old has kicked 30-plus goals in each of the past two seasons, despite his team finishing on the bottom of the ladder.
His standout game this year was the six-goal haul that helped to sink Richmond in Round 18.
Zurhaar, who won his start at the Kangaroos via the 2017 rookie draft, put his contract talks on hold earlier in the year.
Clarkson told the Herald Sun last week that he planned to speak with the out-of-contract Zurhaar and contracted Kangaroos Jason Horne-Francis and Tarryn Thomas about their importance to the club.
“All three of those lads have shown they have got significant talent and should be part of this vision for where we want to take the club,” Clarkson said.
“We’ve got the opportunity to keep them at North Melbourne. If we can galvanise them and make sure their talents can assist the group of others on and off the field all forging in the one direction, they can have a special role to play in this footy club.”
HOW MUCH IS MITCHELL WORTH IN A TRADE?
Hawthorn will only part with Tom Mitchell for the right price as both parties consider a deal with another club.
The Brownlow medallist is open to a fresh start elsewhere, with Hawthorn determined to blood more youth in the engine room next season.
That could include young GWS ballwinner Tanner Bruhn, who is interested in a move to Hawthorn, rather than Geelong.
But any Mitchell deal won’t be a fire sale. The Hawks are adamant they won’t be done over in a trade for the sake of moving him on.
Sources have strongly indicated it was Mitchell who first raised the prospect of a trade away from Waverley, knowing the Hawks were prepared to head in a new direction.
Collingwood is one club watching closely, but the Magpies aren’t banging down the door for the clearance winner.
The Magpies will weigh up whether he could fit into their system and salary cap, but any deal is currently a long way off from happening.
Mitchell, 29, is on more than $700,000 at Hawthorn next season. He would likely command a top-30 pick in any trade.
Port Adelaide is another club looking to add to its midfield stocks.
Mitchell, who is aware his midfield prospects will diminish in brown and gold next year, is contracted for one more season at Waverley along with Chad Wingard and Jaeger O’Meara.
The Hawks are aiming for their premiership window to re-open in about 2026 and are gearing their list management strategy around that timeline.
The Hawks are not interested in Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy.
One of the AFL clubs that came hardest at Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow this season – Essendon – is preparing to make a play for Curnow’s teammate Harry McKay.
While the Blues are supremely confident they have the funds and the goodwill to lock in McKay on a long-time deal – perhaps even before round 1 next year – a raft of clubs are keeping an eye on the Blues’ early discussions with last year’s Coleman Medal winner.
Among the interested parties with the funds to make a concerted effort are the cashed-up Bombers and Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos, who are both in the market for elite talent.
Curnow and McKay combined well in the Blues’ attack this season. Both had been due to become free agents at the end of the 2023 season.
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But such was the interest and the offers from rivals in regard to Curnow in the second half of the season that the Blues were keen to get him off the market.
Just days before Carlton’s round 23 game against Collingwood, the 25-year-old forward locked in a new six-year deal that runs through to the end of the 2029 season in a massive show of support for the Blues’ future direction.
It is understood Carlton believes McKay will do the same, potentially before the start of next season, given his engagement with the playing group and the Blues’ prospect of future success.
PORT’S REQUIRED BERG-MAN
PORT Adelaide will hold No.14 draft pick Miles Bergman to his contract despite speculation he might consider a move home to Melbourne.
Bergman is contracted until the end of 2023 and is very much a required player at the Power.
With Karl Amon moving to Hawthorn as a free agent, Bergman is one of the players the Power would love to reward with a key role as a wingman or half back next year.
He recovered from a second shoulder surgery and then a significant case of Covid to play 10 games including the final eight as he averaged 16 possessions.
The Dogs are fearful either Brisbane or Port Adelaide have offered Josh Dunkley a monster deal that could drag him out of the Kennel but the Power deal is believed to be comparable to the Bulldogs offer.
DOGS FREE AGENT ON SUNS’ RADAR
Western Bulldogs unrestricted free agent Jason Johannisen could be part of Gold Coast’s plan to inject speed at half-back as three Suns prepare to miss most or all of next season after ACL setbacks.
The 2016 Norm Smith medallist, whose five-year deal expires at season’s end, put contract negotiations with the Dogs on hold about a month ago and is surveying his options.
Gold Coast is asking around about defensive options, given Wil Powell, Connor Budarick and Lachie Weller all suffered major knee injuries.
It’s believed the Bulldogs are keen to retain Johannisen, who has played only seven games in an injury-interrupted season.
The 29-year-old is set to return for Saturday night’s knockout final against Fremantle after recovering from his ankle issue.
Johannisen has been used more as a forward at the Kennel in recent years after making his name as a dashing defender.
EAGLE KEEN TO STAY IN NEST
Junior Rioli is still keen to remain at West Coast despite significant interest from Port Adelaide, North Melbourne and Essendon but is yet to be handed a deal which will secure his financial future.
Rioli’s family issues as his father passed away and he battled injury issues meant his contract talks dragged on until the post-season and it has meant huge interest from rival parties has emerged.
It is understood the offers including a Port Adelaide deal are for considerably more money and have a longer tenure for Rioli.
They would give the father of two a much better chance to secure his financial future after a tough period where he was banned for two years for anti-doping offences.
In what will likely be his final big contract he would need to jeopardise his financial future to remain at West Coast, which could yet improve its offer.
New Roos coach Alastair Clarkson has made clear he is desperate to lure Rioli by contracting him personally, while Port Adelaide offer is said to be clearly better than the Eagles offer.
Essendon has also weighed in after missing out on Gold Coast’s Izak Rankine.
West Coast are said to be miffed that he is considering rival offers but unlike other players with seven seasons in the AFL system he is yet to secure the future of his immediate family.
He sees that role as his responsibility while also safeguarding his extended family back in Darwin.
DAD SECURES NEW DEAL FOR CAT
Zach Guthrie’s season of rapid improvement will see him rewarded with the Cats in contract negotiations with his father Andrew, who manages his contract.
Guthrie, 24, had played only 33 games in his first five years at the Cattery but has played 18 games this year and held his spot in a side that couldn’t fit in Brandon Parfitt and Mark O’Connor.
He isn’t a high possession winner but is safe with the ball in hand (76 per cent kicking efficiency) and has locked away his opponent week after week.
The Cats will also secure Isaac Smith, Tom Hawkins, Zach Tuohy and Joel Selwood on one-year deals.
They are hopeful Jacob Hopper might find his way to Geelong but given Richmond is also sniffing around he is yet to choose his trade destination.
ASSISTANT COACHES OUT AT THE GIANTS
THE Giants have parted ways with assistant coach and ex-Geelong great Steve Johnson as incoming coach Adam Kingsley begins forming his staff.
Johnson, who played 293 games for the Cats and Greater Western Sydney, still had a year to run on his contract, but was told this week he would not be part of Kingsley’s team.
The 39-year-old is expected to return to Melbourne with his family after serving as an assistant at the Giants the past two years and the previous three at Sydney.
Another GWS assistant, Amon Buchanan, could also be on the move.
Kingsley, who pipped Adem Yze to be Leon Cameron’s coaching successor on a three-year deal, is already in the process of putting a team around him.
Robbie Chancellor worked with Kingsley at St Kilda before coaching the Western Jets the past two years and will come on board as the Giants’ head of development.
But another Kingsley target, the highly regarded Brendon Lade, has chosen to remain in Victoria.
SCHACHE SENDS REMINDER TO RIVAL RECRUITERS
Out-of-contract Bulldog Josh Schache has sparked renewed rival interest in him with consecutive seven-goal hauls in the VFL.
Schache played only 18 games across the past three seasons and opportunities are expected to be even scarcer ahead as prized draftees Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy emerge.
But the No.2 pick in the 2015 draft reminded recruiters of his ability with some strong form in the past month, including 17 goals and 36 score involvements in his past three matches.
At 201cm and still only 25 years old, Schache looms as a reclamation project for a club keen to bolster its key-position stocks.
KANGAROOS FACE DRAFT DILEMMA
GWV Rebels key forward Aaron Cadman has propelled himself into the discussion to be the player taken with the first live pick of this year’s AFL draft.
North Melbourne holds the No.1 selection again and chose not to bid on father-son prospects Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy last year but faces the same dilemma 12 months later.
Will Ashcroft is considered the best player in the 2022 draft class and will join the Brisbane Lions as a father-son pick, even if the Roos bid on him with the top pick.
They have a big decision to make as the Alastair Clarkson era begins after passing on Logan McDonald two years ago to instead select midfielder Will Phillips.
Nick Larkey has established himself as North’s best target but is yet to find a genuine tall partner in attack.
The Kangaroos have great hope for Charlie Comben but injury has curtailed his career to date, while 202cm Jacob Edwards remains a work in progress.
Cadman stands 194cm and has been a strong performer at national championships level and in the NAB League for the Rebels.
West Coast and Greater Western Sydney will pick after North Melbourne and both have a key forward need, with Cadman not considered the same go-home risk as top prospects in prior years.
CLARKO KEEN TO LOCK AWAY SPEEDSTER
North Melbourne defender Aaron Hall is closing in on a new one-year deal as Alastair Clarkson wastes no time putting his stamp on what the 2023 playing list will look like.
Hall’s run and carry and intercept qualities in defence were sorely missed at times this season in an undermanned and inexperienced Kangaroos’ defence.
Hamstring and groin injuries limited the 31-year-old to 11 matches this season, but the club is confident he can get back to his 2021 form when he finished fourth in the best-and-fairest.
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