Moneyball: Melbourne will be busy again during the trade period

Nic Naitanui is expected to wait until he makes his mid-year return before delicate contract talks. He’s one of the game’s most marketable players — but has only played 15 games in two years. Could a Melbourne club swoop?

Melbourne still has plenty of room in its salary cap despite signing Steven May last year. Picture: AAP

Melbourne has enough salary cap space to target another key player in this year’s exchange period.

The Demons have been one of the busiest clubs over the past two trade periods, adding star defenders Jake Lever and ex-Gold Coast co-captain Steven May in defence, as well as back-up big man Braydon Preuss and Kade Kolodjashnij.

The two star defenders would be on upwards of $600,000 a year and have helped address Melbourne’s greatest weakness — its back line — as the club looks to break the longest premiership drought in the game.

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The recent trade period activity fuelled beliefs the Demons would go quiet in the player exchange market over the next year or two.

But some clever list management means Melbourne has enough salary cap space to go selectively shopping again for another key target in October.

And a slick and speedy midfielder could be the next priority.

Steven May is one of several recruits the Demons have brought in over the past two trade periods. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne needs to lock away out-of-contract forward Sam Weideman and will have a strong focus on retaining their burgeoning midfield stars such as Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca for the long-term.

Oliver, in particular, is expected to attract offers in the vicinity of $1 million a year, while Brayshaw knocked back a hefty advance from North Melbourne last season.

Oliver will be a priority extension for the Dees next year after signing his last deal at the start of last season.

But broadly speaking, the Demons have not had to pay overs to keep any of their top draft picks, at this stage.

It means Simon Goodwin’s men are in good shape to be active players once again in the trade and free agency periods at the end of the season.

Nic Naitanui has played little football in the past two years. Picture: AAP

WHAT IS NIC NAT WORTH?

Nic Naitanui is expected to wait until he makes his mid-year return before kickstarting delicate contract talks.

Naitanui is 29 in May but has played only 15 games in the past two years because of ACL injuries.

He recently pledged to take a pay cut on a deal he wanted done quickly.

But with his return brought forward because of excellent progress, he is now expected to put together some games first.

Pricing his next deal might be a real challenge because he remains one of footy’s most marketable players but doesn’t play much football.

Do you reward the off-field value, play hard ball or agree on a contract with a base element and tasty incentives if he can get out on the park?

Lynden Dunn has torn his ACL for the second time. Picture: Michael Klein

DUNN’S KNEE FEARS

It will be hard to see Lynden Dunn extend his playing career beyond this season after confirmation he has re-done his knee.

The veteran defender signed a cheap one-year deal at the end of last season to play on in 2019.

But a second serious knee injury in his comeback match in the VFL on Thursday night could lead to his retirement.

The Pies would likely talk to Dunn about keeping him at the club in some sort of development coaching or welfare role as he is such a popular figure.

Carlton young gun Sam Walsh. Picture: AAP

WALSH’S BROTHER ON RADAR

Recruiters have been in love with Carlton midfielder and Rising Star favourite Sam Walsh for years.

But attention has quickly turned to his younger brother, Henry.

Unlike Sam, who is a jet onballer, Henry is a skyscraping ruckman at the Geelong Falcons.

The 201cm big man has shown considerable promise as a 16-year-old and will continue to develop his understanding of the game and build his body before he becomes eligible for next year’s draft.

But there is something there.

Sam Walsh popped down to watch his brother last weekend after covering the third-most most distance (15.3km) of any player in the season-opener against Richmond.

The Blues will be wanting to lock away Walsh for life as soon as they can.

Daniel Wells can still earn what he gave up through performances. Picture: Michael Klein

FINE PRINT ON WELLS PAY CUT

Daniel Wells is nearing a return to football after foot problems with reports he had given up most of his guaranteed salary this year.

Yet all is not what it seems, with multiple sources making clear that while he has handed back only $50,000 of guaranteed money he can still earn that back through performances.

So the salary sacrifice might not be as much as it was made out to be.

Wells is on a deal of around $500,000 a season and will still earn most of that regardless of whether he can add to his 14 games in two years for the Pies.

The Pies have had to rejig a host of deals to fit in Dayne Beams, with as many as 12 players deferring salaries to squeeze him under the cap.

The Suns have re-signed forward Alex Sexton. Picture: Getty Images

SUNS SECURE SEXTON

Gold Coast has locked away its main goal kicker in Round 1 — four-goal forward Alex Sexton.

The free agent was one of their best stories in 2018 as Steven May and Tom Lynch departed, kicking 28.19 after pushing forward into attack.

Sexton is only 25 and exactly the kind of player they have any to keep, having secured him on a multi-year contract.

The Suns believe they are making progress on extension talks with their trio of early picks in Ben King, Izak Raynor and Jack Lukosius.

PORT RUCKS PACK PUNCH

Port Adelaide believes it could be quickly developing the best ruck combination in the league after luring Scott Lycett for three seasons after ex-Don Paddy Ryder.

They paid up for Lycett and won’t mind waiting for out-of-contract Ryder to prove himself after an injury-prone 2018 before he sits down for contract talks.

Not many clubs have two rucks who combine so well, with Lycett softening up rivals with his physicality before Ryder leaps over the top of them.

Meanwhile they will get to work signing up their trio of high picks in Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Xavier Duursma, confident all want to sign up in the short-term future.

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