AFL trade whispers: Dustin Martin’s high price, Bailey Smith delays and more
Will rivals baulk at the high price Dustin Martin would command to leave Richmond? And, is Bailey Smith as good as out the door at Whitten Oval? JON RALPH has the latest trade whispers.
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Essendon will not give up the savings it has made from a huge salary cap increase without a fight as the Bombers close in on a new six-year deal for Andy McGrath.
The Dons are aware of McGrath’s durability and cultural impact as a vice-captain as negotiations progress. But along with the Eagles, the Bombers have customarily refused to put clauses in their contracts that reward players in-line with pay increases in future years.
Player-managers, as a rule, just ask for bigger guaranteed contracts, but the huge rise in the recent pay deal — nearly 30 per cent from early 2023 to 2025 — means the Dons have saved crucial salary cap space.
They are continuing their policy going forward, which is why those talks with McGrath drag on. But he loves the joint and will stay, but when you are pricing the final three years of a contract to 2030 without a CBA for those years you need to get your numbers right.
IS DUSTY REALLY WORTH TRADE BOUNTY?
Rivals scouting for Dustin Martin’s availability would need him to return to his former glories to be convinced he is worth the significant price tag to get him out of Punt Rd.
Martin has played well in patches this year, despite missing two games with calf issues, but his lack of defensive running has been highlighted.
He has kicked three goals from four games and set Norwood alight with an exceptional first half against St Kilda during Gather Round.
Clubs believe Martin, who turns 33 in June, would consider a move as an unrestricted free agent. But the superstar Tiger, just seven matches short of his 300-game milestone, would also command a significant wage and would likely only move to a contender or up north to Gold Coast, alongside former coach Damien Hardwick.
The Suns are increasingly confident Ben Ainsworth and his partner want to stay on the Gold Coast, despite his free agency status.
Gold Coast also has interest in GWS defender Isaac Cumming, also a free agent, while fellow Giant Harry Perryman has interest from the Power.
DOGS PREPARED TO WAIT FOR SMITH
Western Bulldogs boss Ameet Bains concedes the club would ideally receive an answer on Bailey Smith’s future ASAP, but will instead give him the time he needs to decide on his future. The Dogs are set to lose Smith, given strong rival interest amid his quest for a new start and while the club has offered him a new two-year deal, his future will not be clear until the trade period.
The AFL industry is not mature enough for a player to tell a club before the season is over that he will play elsewhere. When Lachie Henderson told the Blues he wanted to be traded with three games left in the 2015 season, they sidelined him to protect their asset – with then league boss Gillon McLachlan calling his declaration “unnecessary” and “undisciplined”.
It means Smith will have to hold off on his official decision, even though Bains admitted the club would love to know early so it could plan around him.
“You want it as soon as possible in some respects because it allows you to plan one way or the other,” he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
“Bailey is in a delicate situation, given his past, and the injury he sustained. We have been mindful of supporting him. He ticked off a big milestone getting back in the running program so we will continue to monitor that. It is only April, so we won’t push the issue.”
SKIPPER POISED FOR NEW EAGLES DEAL
West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan is closing in on a new deal with the Eagles as rivals were surprised to discover his lofty asking price.
Those inquiring about what it would take to even start a conversation with the free agent were told they would need to offer well above $800,000 for up to five seasons.
Duggan has always been keen to stay in Perth, but it is another example of the new riches in the AFL.
The Eagles are likely to re-sign Elliot Yeo and, while they have might be tempted to ask rivals about a trade, his growing friendship with Harley Reid is a complication.
Reid loves playing alongside the hard inside-mid and while he won’t consider a contract extension for 12 months, keeping Yeo might help retain the No. 1 pick long-term.
SUNS MOVE TO ASSURE LUKOSIUS
Gold Coast has assured star swingman Jack Lukosius it does not see him as trade bait, despite clubs being interested in his services.
The Crows have long been interested in the Adelaide local, and Lukosius would help with their key-position shortage. A shaken Lukosius wanted clarification from the Suns after reports this week and was firmly told he was in their long-term plans.
The Suns players are extremely tight and have all pledged to remain together, with Lukosius living with star midfielder Matt Rowell, who is out-of-contract next year.
So, the Suns would be making a very risky move to trade him.
They have made clear they have no plans to move him on.
The Suns would move heaven and earth if Richmond allowed Daniel Rioli to break a contract to 2027, but are aware that will almost certainty not happen. Maurice Rioli Jnr is in also contract talks with the Tigers about a new extension, so they will remain together at Punt Rd.
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