AFL trades 2020: Brody Mihocek set to re-sign at Collingwood
Brody Mihocek will earn less if he chooses to stay at Collingwood instead of accepting a lucrative offer from Fremantle. The big forward has all but made his decision.
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Collingwood is trying to re-sign Brody Mihocek to a three-year deal amid interest from Fremantle.
The Herald Sun understands Mihocek, 27, could leave for more money but is close to agreeing to an extension to round out his career at Collingwood.
The contract could include an extension for a fourth-year as reward for his workhorse efforts leading Collingwood’s goal kicking across 2019-2020.
Mihocek is a highly-rated member of the playing group who kicked three goals in the upset elimination final win over West Coast.
In all, the rookie pick has booted 90 goals across 58 games.
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The Magpies had little room to move on Mihocek’s salary as they continue to try and re-sign superstar Jordan De Goey and off-load midfielder Adam Treloar.
Rising Star winner Jaidyn Stephenson has also emerged as a trade target but it is unclear whether there is any interest in the goal kicker.
Tom Phillips and Mason Cox are also exploring opportunities elsewhere.
The Magpies were desperate to retain Mihocek but want to be active in this year’s exchange period.
The Suns last week were not confident Treloar would consider starting a new chapter at the club next year as a cloud continued to hover over Treloar’s future.
It could bring Western Bulldogs into the frame as part of a three-way trade with Essendon.
The Bombers want contracted hard nut Josh Dunkley to join the Bombers alongside Jye Caldwell.
It means the Dogs could consider a move on Treloar to replace Dunkley and support an engine room already including Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Smith and Jackson Macrae.
Treloar re-signed a back-ended deal worth up to $900,000 a year to stay at Collingwood until the end of 2025.
RECRUITING GURU: WHY HIGGINS TO SAINTS WORKS – Nick Smart
Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell says Richmond livewire Jack Higgins would be a good fit for St Kilda.
The 21-year-old was starved of opportunity in 2020, playing just 10 games and kicking five goals in his return after undergoing brain surgery in 2019.
Despite being contracted for another year, it is understood Higgins will move on with the Saints the most likely destination.
Rendell said Higgins would slot in well at Moorabbin.
“I wouldn’t be paying Jack Higgins more than $400,000, but he’s going to fit it really well at the Saints,” he said on AFL Trade Radio.
“They’re playing a brand of footy where they kick deep to the top of the square; they kicked a lot of goals close to the goal (this year) through Jack Lonie and Dan Butler.
“Jade Gresham can be used in the midfield where he can use breakaway speed and Higgins can take Gresham’s role.”
The former Collingwood recruiter said the recruitment of Higgins could spell trouble for Saint Jack Lonie.
“I’m not sure where Lonie is at,” Rendell said.
“If St Kilda is going to get Jack Higgins then he may get squeezed out and move on.
“Higgins is a good player, you wouldn’t be going over the top (with his salary), but the kid will be happy just to play.”
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BLUES FOCUS ON SAAD
– Chris Cavanagh
Carlton has turned its attention to getting a deal done with Essendon for Adam Saad after securing Greater Western Sydney’s Zac Williams.
Williams was signed on Friday, with the Giants opting not to match Carlton’s offer for the restricted free agent on the first day of the free agency period.
All efforts are now on securing rebounding defender Saad when the trade period officially opens tomorrow.
“Zac and Adam Saad were the absolute priorities for us in this trade period,” Carlton list boss Nick Austin said.
“To get Zac into a Carlton jumper (on Friday) night was very exciting. Now the focus turns to Adam.
“With respect for Essendon, we’re not going to do a running commentary on the negotiations but I will say we are working on an outcome that’s in the best interest of the football club.
“Discussions have begun and we’ll continue to work through those over the coming days.”
Austin said Carlton had looked to add some “speed on the ball” with their two trade targets and were rapt to have signed Williams.
“We’re going to give Zac every opportunity to play and grow with our midfield group,” he said.
“He’s in the right age bracket for us as a 26-year-old in the prime of his career, so it’s a really good fit.”