Tigers will receive free agency compensation for Gold Coast-bound Brandon Ellis
Richmond will receive compensation for losing free agent Brandon Ellis, and recent history suggests it might bring more smiles at the Tigers. Plus updates on Jamie Elliott, Travis Varcoe, Sam Frost, Sam Jacobs and Adam Tomlinson.
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Richmond will know as soon as Friday afternoon whether they can reap an end-of-first-round trade bonanza from departing free agent Brandon Ellis.
The 26-year-old dual Richmond premiership player will depart for the Gold Coast on a five-year deal worth $3 million.
On Wednesday Richmond announced that Ellis would explore his free agency rights, with the Tigers certain to decline to match the Suns’ deal.
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That deal will be lodged at the start of free agency as soon as Friday morning, with the league to reveal the free agency compensation available to the Tigers soon after they allow him passage to the Suns.
The scope of the $3 million deal, revealed by the Herald Sun, is not enough for a first-round compensation selection given it does not hit $750,000 a season.
But given Richmond are the premiers and have the No.18 draft pick, an end-of-first-round selection is effectively the same pick — No. 19.
Two years ago Geelong secured an end-of-first-round pick for Steven Motlop on a four-year deal of just over $2 million.
Ellis finished outside the top 11 in Richmond’s best-and-fairest on Tuesday night but those results don’t factor into any compensation.
Ellis is determined to shore up his financial future and continue supporting his family after growing up in a housing commission flat in North Carlton.
Richmond list manager Blair Hartley thanked Ellis after 176 games as the No. 15 selection in the 2011 national draft.
“As always, Brandon has put the team first, and he is now a dual premiership player for Richmond,” he said.
MELBOURNE are likely to secure GWS free agent Adam Tomlinson on Saturday after the Giants best-and-fairest award.
He will join the club on a four-year deal worth around $500,000 a season, which is set to secure a second-round compensation for the Giants.
They could secure Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs as early as Friday, although handing Adelaide a late pick in the draft as a trade would ensure they didn’t diminish the Tomlinson free agent compensation.
Jacobs will play alongside Shane Mumford, who will play on next year after his 20-game season ticked off a game-based contract trigger.
HAWTHORN’S luring of Melbourne full back Sam Frost on a multi-year deal came after the Demons had declined to offer him a deal.
Melbourne believes Oscar McDonald can fill the third defensive tall option alongside Steven May and Jake Lever, even though Frost was ninth in the Demons best-and-fairest this year.
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COLLINGWOOD’S Travis Varcoe is optimistic he will handed a one-year deal as the Pies continue to work through their list management issues.
Melbourne offered small forward Jamie Elliott a multi-year deal earlier in the year as he battled injury issues.
But it is less optimistic it will secure him given his excellent start to the year and Collingwood’s determination to keep him after 11 goals in the last four games, including two finals.