Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer to sign on but several AFL ruckmen could be looking for new homes
Matthew Kreuzer looks set to sign on, but the ruck market is going crazy. Plus will Gary Ablett go on, Jack Billings’ new deal and the one big win the Demons have had in 2019.
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Matthew Kreuzer is set to sign a new one-year deal in coming weeks as he puts together an exceptional season for the Blues.
Kreuzer only returned to the senior team in Round 5 after a summer of injury but continues to put together rousing performances as a beloved one-club player.
At 30 and given his injury history he is likely to sign one-year deals from now on in but he would hope to play on well into his 30s.
Kade Simpson has just turned 35 but his form is strong enough to go on if he has the motivation, while Dale Thomas said this week he is keen to play on despite his charity night controversy.
It will be a tough decision for the club’s new coach but the determination to surge up the ladder rather than embark upon another mini-rebuild will help the elder statesmen’s quest to play on.
RUCK MARKET GOES INTO OVERDRIVE
As Essendon chases another ruckman after missing out South Adelaide’s Michael Knoll, the ruck market is going into overdrive.
Sam Jacobs could be available as a free agent given Reilly O’Brien looks the club’s first ruckman and is keen to sign a new deal.
Would Essendon hand him a two-year deal as they wait for their young rucks to come on?
At Port Adelaide Paddy Ryder is looking for a new two-year deal, while the plot thickens at Fremantle.
Club will again try to drag Sean Darcy from the club given he is down the pecking order behind Rory Lobb with rucks Scott Jones, Lloyd Meek and Aaron Sandilands on the list too.
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Geelong’s Wylie Buzza, Port Adelaide’s Billy Frampton and Sydney’s Darcy Cameron are all rucks not getting games at AFL level who clubs are scrutinising.
Dogs ruckman Tim English isn’t going anywhere despite being linked to a move to Perth, living with fellow star tall Aaron Naughton, loving Melbourne and contracted to 2020.
West Coast has offered Nic Nat a huge pay cut over a three-year deal, but with the star poised to return to footy first, his management is not inclined to let him sign for unders given his massive marketing appeal.
CATS, GAZZA TO WAIT ON FUTURE
Gary Ablett will wait until the end of the season before he considers a contract extension for next year.
The champion ballwinner is in the midst of an extraordinary campaign and could be pushing top-five in the Cats’ best and fairest in his new forward role.
Tim Kelly, Mark Blicavs and Tom Stewart would be three teammates potentially ahead of him at the bye round.
Ablett, 35, has booted 22 goals from 11 games and remains one of the most lethal ball users in the AFL.
The Cats and Ablett’s management have agreed to wait until later in the season to discuss his future.
Another season would put the little master in reach of the magical 350-game milestone.
BLUES’ CLASSY PICKETT SIGN-OFF
Carlton couldn’t have handled Jarrod Pickett’s departure with more class given he had lost the passion to play.
The former No. 4 draft pick and the club parted company this week when it became apparent he was battling in his recovery and wasn’t going to get a contract for 2020.
He has a child on the way with his partner and was happy to move back to WA, with the deal done in the space of 24 hours.
STAR SAINTS INCHES CLOSER
Jack Billings is moving close to a new long-term deal as his strong season continues.
He will get a big pay rise on a deal likely to extend past three years, telling AFL Tonight on Thursday the talks were progressing.
“I leave that up to my manager and know those conversations are going really well with the club,” he told the Fox Footy program.
“That is what my manager looks after and once in a season you focus on footy week to week.
My manager is speaking to the club quite regularly now and it’s definitely going the right way from what I understand.”
DEES’ BIG WIN FOR 2019
Melbourne’s season is an unmitigated disaster but at least they have nailed their mid-season draft pick.
Kyle Dunkley was secured after a great season so far, including a three-goal performance in the VFL for the Dogs.
Against Collingwood for Casey’s VFL side on Sunday he had 128 ranking points, 18 touches (10 contested), three goals, six clearances, five tackles in his second VFL game for the club.
Why not throw him in against Fremantle next week given they at least get a chance to see what is on their list?
The Demons have decisions ahead on uncontracted players, with that list including Nathan Jones, Jeff Garlett, Alex-Neal Bullen, Billy Stretch, the Wagner brothers, Tim Smith and Jay Kennedy Harris.
CLUBS EYE WANTED FITNESS GURU
Several clubs have already reached out to former Port Adelaide fitness guru Darren Burgess.
Burgess is set to depart English Premier League club Arsenal as its director of high performance.
Burgess is also on the radar of several other top international sporting clubs about joining them.
He left Port Adelaide in 2018 to join Arsenal but could bring his family back to Australia later this year.
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