AFL 2023: Adelaide Crows table long-term offer to Essendon free agent Mason Redman

Adelaide’s deal for Mason Redman is on the table, leaving the Essendon free agent with a big decision to make. Here’s the latest.

Mason Redman.

Adelaide has offered a long-term contract to Essendon free agent Mason Redman.

The Crows have long held interest in the Bombers defender and it is understood that a long-term deal is now on the table for the gun defender.

Redman is one of the best free agents in 2023 and the Bombers have tried to pull out all the stops to keep him in Melbourne.

The Bombers have officially lodged a contract offer for the 25-year-old as they look to keep the rebounding defender, producing a comprehensive pitch about their future that involved rucking great Simon Madden, a club legend who also wore the No. 27 jumper.

Mason Redman tangles with potential teammate Izak Rankine.

But Redman still hasn’t committed to Essendon.

The Crows in recent years have employed a strategy of hand-picking players.

They have lured Jordan Dawson, now club captain, and Izak Rankine back to South Australia in consecutive years with this approach.

Redman is from Millicent, and has said with it being four hours from Adelaide and five hours from Melbourne that he has no real go home factor.

However, he has said he plans to end up in his hometown post football.

Mason Redman kicks long against the Crows.

Essendon coach Brad Scott has said he will not “emotionally blackmail” Redman or midfielder Darcy Parish into staying.

“I haven’t spoken to either boy (Parish or Redman) about staying or going. My job is to create a great football environment. I love them. I’d love them to buy in, I’d love them to be part of it, but I think for any footy club, if you’ve got players who don’t want to be part of it, perhaps they should go,” Scott told Triple M on Sunday.

“We are really keen on keeping them, we’re working really hard to keep them, but I’m not going to emotionally blackmail anyone.”

If the Crows were successful in luring Redman to SA, he would add to a backline that boasts Wayne Milera, Mitch Hinge, Josh Worrell, Max Michalanney, Jordon Butts and Nick Murray all 25 and under.

This could be further boosted by Tom Doedee returning to action next year if he spurns free agency and recommits to the Crows.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Adelaide Crows table long-term offer to Essendon free agent Mason Redman