Essendon barometer Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti likely to stay despite rival interest
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is holding off talks on a new deal with Essendon, which has opened the door for a trio of rival clubs to come knocking. Will he stay at the Bombers?
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s decision to hold off talks with Essendon will likely pay a healthy dividend as a trio of Victorian rivals register interest.
The Western Bulldogs, Carlton and North Melbourne have all asked about McDonald-Tipungwuti, with the market hot for dangerous small forwards who can kick goals and pressure.
But McDonald-Tipungwuti is still likely to remain with the club that handed him a rookie-list chance as talks on a new deal loom.
McDonald has become Essendon’s cult hero and barometer this year, starring in the club’s winning performances and going ice-cold when the Dons lose.
The 26-year-old has kicked 26.7 and has the best accuracy rating for any player with 30 shots — plus 24.2 per cent kick rating.
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The Bombers have also scored from 50 per cent of his kicks inside 50 — the seventh-best rate of the top 200 players for entries.
He has been keen to hold off talks to maximise his worth as a three-year deal signed after 34 goals in the 2017 season expires.
But he seems content at the club, more likely to secure a pay rise from consistent form that to chasing dollars at a rival given the pressure to perform by chasing dollars elsewhere.
There has never been a better time to be a well-performed small forward in Melbourne, with clubs clamouring for small goalkickers like Sydney’s Tom Papley and Port Adelaide’s Sam Gray.
That trio of Victorian clubs have registered some interest in McDonald-Tipungwuti but not yet lodged offers as they assess their options.
The Dons secured Tipungwuti after a remarkable journey from the Tiwi Islands via Gippsland Power and Essendon’s VFL side before being rookie-listed and making his debut in Round 1, 2016.
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Essendon has been keen for some time to secure McDonald-Tipungwuti but is comfortable holding off talks until he wants to sign.
His small forward partner in crime Orazio Fantasia will remain with the club next year despite speculation about his contract.
His manager Anthony McConville said on Friday despite links to Adelaide clubs he remained steadfast he was happy seeing out his contract with no consideration to a trade this off-season.
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