Moneyball: Follow all the latest trade, contract and draft news across the AFL

Luke Dunstan has had a big influence for the Saints since the bye. But with interest growing, he may be on his way out - along with Jack Billings. All the latest trade news.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 25: Cale Hooker of the Bombers celebrates with teammates after kicking a goal during the round 19 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Metricon Stadium on July 25, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

St Kilda is open to keeping Luke Dunstan at the club on a modest deal for next season.

The Saints have said they will keep the hard nut on the list for 2022 but Dunstan, 26, has not been in a rush to sign on.

The hard nut has been in excellent form since he returned to the senior side mid-season, averaging 27 possessions a game.

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St Kilda Luke Dunstan has impressed since returning to the senior side mid-season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Gold Coast has shown some interest in Dunstan, too, while Adelaide considered him briefly last year but opted against a move.

The South Australian is determined to continue his AFL career next season but his best opportunity may be at another club.

The Saints may lose free agent Jack Billings depending on rival offers, and in particular from North Melbourne.

Pies in danger of losing promising tall

Collingwood back-up ruckman Max Lynch remains vulnerable to a recruiting raid with no movement on a new deal.

The emerging big man is out of contract and has played only two games this season despite promising showings against Adelaide and Melbourne.

While there isn’t expected to be a huge amount of activity in this year’s trade period, Lynch, 22, will attract attention as one of the best talls in the market.

The Magpies are leaving some big contract calls until season’s end as they try to overcome some travel restrictions in their search for a new senior coach.

Max Lynch celebrates a goal during the VFL against the Box Hill Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

Captain Scott Pendlebury is without a deal for next season along with fringe midfielder Brayden Sier.

Hawthorn showed some interest in Lynch last year as they look to find long-term replacements for Jon Ceglar and captain Ben McEvoy.

Collingwood could use any draft pick they received in a trade deal for the back-up ruckman to help secure likely No. 1 draft pick Nick Daicos.

Lynch remains stuck behind No.1 ruckman Brodie Grundy, meaning the Murray Bushrangers’ product may have to go elsewhere to push for a lead ruck spot.

Gun defender signs long term

Rising Greater Western Sydney star Sam Taylor has signed a three-year contract extension, in another coup for the Giants.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, talks for the star defender, who boasts recent scalps including Tom Hawkins, escalated in recent weeks and the 22-year-old will remain at the club until at least the end of 2025.

As a Perth-raised star defender who could be one of footy’s most accomplished key backs in coming years he could have named his price on the open market next year.

But in the wake of Josh Kelly’s eight-year commitment it is another fillip for a Giants outfit that lost stars including Jeremy Cameron and Zac Williams last year.

Another Andrew McDougall at Corporate Sports, Bobby Hill, is also expected to remain at GWS although his talks have only just started on a deal expiring next year.

“I have been chatting to (GWS football boss) Jason McCartney. It’s great to see Sam come on. It’s a great club and he loves the boys and they have made some great signings recently,” McDougall said.

A three-year extension to a deal expiring next season takes Taylor to free agency.

Taylor is ranked elite in intercepts this season and took Hawkins to the cleaners with 17 intercept possessions and eight intercept marks in the GMHBA Stadium win last week.

His 2020 season was affected by septic arthritis that saw him lose 10kg, briefly paralysed in his hips and lower back and fearing he might not be able to walk again.

Hill returned to Sydney to be with his pregnant partner last month and then had to quarantine in the transition hub but is now nearing selection again after working back to match-fitness.

GWS will also secure Jacob Hopper on a two-year deal in the off-season, with Jesse Hogan also set to sign a one-year deal with a games-based trigger.

Is Hooker’s time up at Bombers?

Essendon veteran Cale Hooker is weighing up a big call on his future after talks with the Bombers about his options for next season.

The Bombers are interested in keeping him on the list and have considered a few different scenarios where Hooker could continue on at the club next season in a playing and coaching role for 2022.

That way, Hooker, 32, could help bolster the Bombers’ depth in the key forward area and help continue to teach and mentor the club’s youngsters.

Essendon is expected to keep its top pick this year and pick up another gun youngster in the draft and then target Gold Coat spearhead Ben King at the end of next season.

The Bombers are building one of the most exciting young lists in the league, having hit the jackpot in last year’s exchange period and draft, snaring Archie Perkins, Nik Cox and Zach Reid in the first round of the draft and then Nick Hind and Peter Wright in bargain-basement trade deals.

Cale Hooker could remain at Essendon next year but on reduced terms. Picture: Michael Klein

Hooker, who has played 2019 games, has held informal discussions about his options for next season but is yet to receive any formal offers from the club.

But there is an understanding if he plays on next season in a dual playing and coaching role it will be on significantly-reduced terms.

With two games remaining in the season, Hooker is undecided on what he will do for next season, as the Bombers try and pull off a remarkable finals berth.

Essendon can seal a spot in the eight if they beat the Suns and the Magpies and the Giants and Tigers lose at least one game on the run home.

There has been speculation Hooker is leaning towards retirement in recent days, even though he made an excellent start to the season this year booting 29 goals over his first 12 games and is second overall for goals at the club.

He has 33 from 18 in all this season. Only Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who has been managed this week, has booted more majors (34) at Essendon than Hooker this season.

While there would be no guarantees Hooker will remain in Essendon’s best 22, the club has a strong view he can still make a strong contribution in and on and off-field role for 2022.

Chris Scott is set to extend his tenure at Geelong.

Scott going nowhere despite rival links

Chris Scott isn’t going anywhere despite a constant drip of rumours about whether Collingwood might be interested in the Geelong coach.

The Cats premiership coach will sit down with new chief executive Steve Hocking when he puts his feet under the chair to work on a new deal past 2022.

Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd confirmed to the Herald Sun the talks would take place as soon as Hocking took over from long-running CEO Brian Cook.

Scott’s home-and-away coaching record is the envy of the league but he remains chasing an elusive second premiership after a flag in his debut season.

Surely those rumours would not be emanating from the Scott camp as leverage for his new deal given it is a fait accompli?

Both Hocking and new president Craig Drummond are huge fans of Scott’s work and the inclusive culture he has helped foster in Geelong.

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is on a similar timeline for his new contract extension.

While the Crows have again been dragged through the dirt by Taylor Walker’s racism, Nicks showed he was the man to reunite the club with his emotional response.

Nicks is contracted to the end of 2022, but will be extended over the summer.

So will Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, meaning the list of uncontracted coaches will have rapidly shrunk by the end of summer.

Sydney Stack has earned a new deal.

Stack set to stay a Tiger

Sydney Stack will sign a new deal but both parties have agreed to wait until the off-season to broker that contract.

He has been back to his electric best in recent weeks but his manager Paul Peos and list boss Blair Hartley have agreed they will sit down at year’s end.

Stack has likely done enough to sign a two-year deal but given his turbulent off-season last summer it will likely include incentives to ensure he retains his professionalism.

His partner Mikayla Morrison is due back in Perth to play AFLW for Fremantle but whether he joins her for the summer in WA or remains in Melbourne is yet to be established.

In one of his first contracts the Tigers ensured he had incentive clauses to remain in shape after his first off-season away from football and he is aware he will need to make every post a winner after working so hard to get AFL fit again.

Contract extension for new Roo recruit

He was taken at pick number one in the mid-season draft just two months ago but gun ruck-forward Jacob Edwards has already extended his contract with North Melbourne. Edwards signed a new contract which will keep him at Arden Street until at least the end of 2023 as he looks to cement a spot in the Roos senior side. Many draft pundits had Edwards as a first-round draft pick if he waited for the upcoming National Draft so the Roos will be pumped to lock him away.

“[I’ve] only been there [at the club] for a couple of weeks in the school holidays, but I’m very lucky I got that extra two years and can’t wait to get started,” Edwards said.