AFL contract news: Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett weighing up Victorian interest, Nic Martin set to recommit to Bombers

Nic Martin has been playing on a contract of about $250,000 per season for the past two years. But that’s all about to change as the Dons hide him away from a West Australian raid.

Essendon has progressed talks on a new deal to keep star midfielder Nic Martin at the club for at least two more years.

Martin, 22, is out of contract at the end of next season but the Bombers have already engaged in discussions with his manager, Jason Dover from TLA, on an improved deal.

The gun wingman has been an outstanding pick-up for the Bombers since the club swooped on him for nothing in the supplemental selection period two years ago.

He has played on a deal worth about $250,000 a season, but his pay packet is certain to double on his next contract which could be finalised over summer, thwarting any prospect of a poaching raid from cashed-up Fremantle and West Coast.

Martin is certain to stay at Tullamarine and in part reward the club for showing faith in the goal kicking midfielder after he was overlooked by West Coast following a training stint there.

Nic Martin is set to sign a new contract extension at Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein.

The West Australia has averaged 21 possessions and almost a goal a game over his first 44 matches, placing sixth and eighth in the club’s best and fairest awards in that time.

The Subiaco product will be a key plank in Brad Scott’s plans to play finals next year following an excellent exchange period picking up free agents Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein for nothing, as well as Xavier Duursma for Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and two future fourth-round picks.

McKay will provide the crucial strong-body the club needed down back, after signing a six-year deal worth an average $780,000 a season.

The deal is heavily-front ended which hands McKay as much as $1.3 million in his first season, which was part of an agreement which helped pip Hawthorn in the race for his services.

The front-ended deal will make McKay one of the highest-paid players in the AFL next season, although his wage drops off substantially in the last three years of the term.

But superstar captain Zach Merrett, who this year won his fourth Crichton Medal, will remain the club’s highest-paid player on a deal worth about $850,000 a season.

Dylan Shiel’s six-year contract will expire at the end of next season. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

In total, Essendon’s contract offer to McKay was believed to have been less than the Hawks, meaning McKay left money on the table to join his former coach, Scott, in the red and black.

Goldstein, 35, is also expected to make a strong bid to start in the senior team from the season-opener next year as No. 1 ruckman Sam Draper recovers from post-season groin surgery.

Midfielder Dylan Shiel, 30, has also undergone foot and knee surgery and will be in a fight to play regular senior footy in a midfield featuring Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell, Ben Hobbs, Archie Perkins and wingmen Duursma, Sam Durham and Martin.

Shiel’s six-year contract will expire at the end of next season, after St Kilda showed interest but failed to follow through in its attempts to trade him in this month.

Top-10 draft picks Nik Cox and Zach Reid, who has overcome some nightmare back injuries, are on track to start pre-season on time next month after injury-riddled starts to their careers.

Lycett the Pie? Vic clubs sound out Power big man

Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett is weighing up a decision to play on next year at a third club after strongly considering retirement.

Lycett, 31, has been linked with an opportunity to continue his career at Richmond, St Kilda and Collingwood on a cut-price wage.

However, the West Coast premiership big man was undecided on his future after initially indicating to Port Adelaide officials in his exit meeting he may retire after some knee problems in 2023.

Scott Lycett after his exit meeting at Port Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

But Victorian clubs have expressed some interest in the competitive ruckman as a back-up option next season, if he passes all the necessary medicals.

Collingwood missed out on Todd Goldstein, while Richmond lost Ivan Soldo to Port Adelaide, and St Kilda is eyeing more support for star tall Rowan Marshall.

There would be an opportunity to press for a premiership at Collingwood as a backup option behind Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox.

Dan McStay was forced to do some rucking when Cameron and Cox were injured this season.

But Lycett would have to accept the prospect of playing VFL after 13 years and 146 games in the AFL if he decides to play on.