North fighting to keep Todd Goldstein from St Kilda, Essendon working on two new deals

Essendon has set the wheels in motion on new deals for two emerging youngsters. Plus, St Kilda’s bid to bolster its ruck stocks, the Lions’ trade win and what’s next for Gazza?

The Bombers hope to lock away Aaron Francis. Pic: AAP

North Melbourne is fighting to keep Todd Goldstein under new footy boss Brady Rawlings.

St Kilda is into Goldstein to join gun youngster Rowan Marshall in the ruck, as well as circling Bomber Sam Draper.

But the Roos are upping their offer to Goldstein to include a second-year on the contract, including a potential trigger for a third season.

Goldstein, who has just turned 31, is having one of his best seasons in years, playing every game so far in 2019.

He has averaged 16 disposals, 34 hit-outs and three marks a game.

Tom Campbell is back-up ruck for Kangaroos but the club is short-on depth in the big man department, meaning it is important for them to keep Goldstein.

He is the second-most experienced player on North Melbourne’s list, with 227 games, behind Scott Thompson, with 235.

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West Coast want to keep Rawlings as list manager until after the trade period finishes in October.

The Roos are trying to sway the Eagles into releasing Rawlings early so he can get on with setting up for next season.

The Saints were helpless to stop Todd Goldstein dominating last week. Pic: AAP

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We know about Carlton and Adelaide’s pick swap, but this exchange between Brisbane and Gold Coast was a beauty for the Lions.

In last year’s trade period, the Lions raised a few eyebrows handing over their top pick (No. 6) to Gold Coast, who nabbed gun big man Ben King.

But the Suns’ slide down to the bottom of the ladder this season has enhanced what the Lions received in that little-known deal in return.

Brisbane ended up with pick No. 19 in last year’s draft (which sealed the Lachie Neale deal), Gold Coast’s second-round pick in this year’s draft (currently No. 19) as well as a third-round pick from Fremantle (currently No. 44).

In total, Brisbane gained an extra 507 draft value index points on the deal, which is equivalent to pick No. 36, as a bonus.

The Lions let the Suns have Ben King but were also big winners. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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Gary Ablett is warming to the idea of playing on next season, but he will have to convince his wife, Jordan, first.

The Cats would clearly love to have him go around again, but the champion ballwinner said he would need a tick a tick of approval from the boss.

“It’s something that I’m talking to my wife about,” Ablett said on the Cats’ podcast.

“I’ve been in the game 18 years now so I need to get it passed her.”

A flag may also see Ablett bow out.

Jed Bews is one of the Cats’ few genuine small defenders.

Will Gary Ablett go on in 2020? Pictures: Getty Images

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Geelong is making good progress in talks on a new deal for back pocket Jed Bews.

As an unrestricted free agent, Bews can walk to the club of his choice at season’s end.

But the Cats are expecting to the father-son to be there next year after recent discussions.

Darcy Parish has taken the next step in 2019. Picture: AAP

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The Bombers are working on a new deals for emerging pair Darcy Parish and Aaron Francis.

The pair are both out of contract at season’s end and have had up and down seasons in their fourth years.

After a slow start, Parish, pick No. 5 in 2015, has improved since the middle part of the season, with back-to-back 31-possesison games in Rounds 10 and 11.

Francis, pick No. 6, finished last season in red-hot form but has been unable to replicate that this year, amid stints in the forward line and defence.

Talks are expected to progress over the next month or two as Essendon attempts to move into the eight.