Andrew McGrath waiting for a better contract offer from Essendon
ANDREW McGrath is one of only two players from last year’s top 10 draft picks yet to re-sign as the Bombers make the final decisions on their list after a successful trade period.
Essendon
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ADRIAN Dodoro’s final challenge after a masterful trade period for Essendon is to find the money for a contract extension for Andrew McGrath.
McGrath, 19, won this year’s Rising Star in a superb season that he hopes will set him up for a move to the wing in 2018.
The classy half-back and Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage are the only players from last year’s top 10 picks not to re-sign.
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Talks over McGrath’s extension were put off by mutual agreement mid-year after the Dons’ modest initial offer.
The cost of a likely two-year extension is the only haggling point for McGrath’s management and Dons list manager.
The Dons have picks 48 and 67 in next month’s national draft. Jackson Merrett is likely to be delisted and Ben Howlett is hopeful of a one-year deal.
Last year’s overall No.1 pick McGrath told the Herald Sun in Grand Final week he wanted to end his career asbe a one-club player.
His manager Robbie D’Orazio, of Connors Sports, said then that talks to extend a deal past 2018 would soon heat up.
“He won the Rising Star, he was voted the best first-year player by the players, he played 20 of 22 home-and-away games and a final and he’s a special talent,’’ he said.
“So he’s a special talent and an impressive young man and I am sure we will be able to sit down early in the new year to look to extend his contract.”
Out of contract at Essendon are Josh Green, who kicked 17 goals in 17 games, and Shaun McKernan, who played three senior games.
RICHMOND will this week turn to the task of re-signing Jason Castagna after his 26-goal premiership season.
Castagna was paid about $70,000 plus match payments but is waiting on a new offer.
Midfielder Anthony Miles and utility Sam Lloyd are expected to stay, but uncertainty continues about the future of small forward Ben Lennon.
‘Flexibility’ behind Bombers’ contract call
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Angry Essendon members to turn away over steep price rises
Essendon fans are not happy with an increase in price of over $100 on select memberships. The Bombers are defending the decision despite the consequence of losing members.