Hawthorn, St Kilda and Carlton among clubs circling in-demand free agent Stephen Coniglio
Star GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio poised to start talks on his future as three Victorian clubs circle. Plus news on Jack Billings, Nathan Jones, Levi Casboult and another Giant.
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This year’s top free agency target Stephen Coniglio will have crucial talks on his future next month as clubs including Hawthorn, St Kilda and Carlton circle.
Coniglio, 25, has bolstered his reputation as one of the best two-way midfield runners in the game as part of a blistering start to the season.
Greater Western Sydney remains confident Coniglio will re-sign on a long-term deal to stay at the club after previously inking a series of two-year contracts.
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The Giants will look for an indication on a likely decision mid-year and will consider ramping up contingency plans if Coniglio continues to hold off on a new deal in the second half of the season.
But Hawthorn looms large in the chase for Coniglio and has a strong link to the gun ballwinner through his best mate and potential future Hawks’ captain Jaeger O’Meara.
St Kilda could offer a godfather deal, with former GWS list manager and expert deal-maker Graeme Allan set to spearhead the Saints’ bid to land the brilliant ballwinner.
The Saints have the cap space to offer a mega deal after missing out on new Bomber Dylan Shiel last year, while they will attempt to keep Jack Steven to his 2020 contract.
Coniglio, from Western Australia, has put off any decision on his future but is expected to revisit the situation with the Giants next month, in the lead-up to the mid-year bye.
The Giants have the salary cap space to keep Coniglio and superstar teammate Josh Kelly on $1 million-a-year packages, although big man Jon Patton may be one to leave the club.
BILLINGS SET FOR BIG PAY DAY
St Kilda star Jack Billings could shore-up his long-term future on his next deal with the club.
Billings, 23, is expected to recommit with the Saints on a deal worth as much as $800,000 a year.
But for how long has become the next big question, as Billings would qualify for free agency in 2021 if he only signed a two-year extension in the coming months.
The Saints would prefer to lock him away on a longer-term deal to thwart the free agency threat where clubs could land the gun midfielder for nothing.
A longer-term deal would make sure the No. 3 pick plays the prime part of his career at Moorabbin.
JONES A DEMON THROUGH AND THROUGH
There is no threat of Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones leaving the Demons.
Once the highest-paid player at the club, Jones is a certainty to re-sign at Melbourne but will have to take a pay cut.
Jones has been rewarded for his loyalty to Melbourne in recent years and was shifted into a defensive position in the 43-point loss to Richmond on Wednesday night.
HOT HENDERSON EYES NEW HAWK DEAL
If Ricky Henderson was an American sportsman he would take his new-found free agency status, cash on in his incredible form and make a motza at a rival club.
As it turns out, that form and his free agency through new AFL rules will likely only result in a fatter one-year contract at year’s end.
Henderson’s early-season form has been astonishing, the ex-Crow recording the fourth-highest jump in ranking points this year (115.6 up from 81.7) behind only Jack Bowes, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Rowan Marshall.
He is also an unrestricted free agent again under new rules which mean players if you have been a free agent before at any time you are again when out of contract.
Henderson has kicked six goals in five games and averaged 27 possessions a game after signing a one-year deal last October.
Ruckman Jon Ceglar is in the same boat — a free agent despite only six years at the Hawks because he was delisted as a Pie.
He is seen as intensely loyal to the Hawks and keen to stay despite being pushed out of the side last week as rivals clamour for back-up ruckmen of his class.
LEVI HITS FORM AT RIGHT TIME
Levi Casboult has been a perennial trade target but is finally hitting form at the right time given the squeeze for spots at the Blues.
He was brilliant in their first win against the Dogs with three goals, three contested marks and eight hit-outs when a late in for the injured Charlie Curnow.
Given Curnow will quickly get his spot back and Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay aren’t going anywhere, what does the future hold for Casboult?
Last year he was injured and out of form so no clubs wanted to trade for him but as he comes out of contract on a two-year deal would there be interest in a player who just turned 29?
WILL SAINTS KEEP UP TOMLINSON CHASE?
The Saints have been trying for years to land Greater Western Sydney big man Adam Tomlinson and nothing has changed this season.
Look at his statistics and you can see why Tomlinson would suit them perfectly.
The 194cm swingman can play wing, back and forward but has also added some ruck back-up duties to his versatile game this year.
He is averaging only a modest five hit-outs but at St Kilda where Rowan Marshall is now the No.1 ruckman Tomlinson would fit in perfectly.
He averages 19 possessions a game and while he’s no star he’s exactly the kind of role players Alan Richardson would love to have at Moorabbin.
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