David Zaharakis set to re-sign with Essendon
DAVID Zaharakis will join the list of Essendon re-signings after finally being offered a new deal, JON RALPH writes.
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DAVID Zaharakis will join the list of Essendon re-signings after finally being offered a new deal.
And James Kelly is open to joining veteran Brendon Goddard in playing on, with the former St Kilda star next week officially hitting a trigger clause for 2018.
Free agent Zaharakis, 27, has been inconsistent this year but his best game was last week’s 38-possession effort against Collingwood.
AFL LIVE BLOG: FOLLOW BOMBERS’ BATTLE AGAINST SAINTS
AFL DAILY: TIGERS PAY PRICE AT SELECTION TABLE
INNER SANCTUM: GO BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT NORTH MELBOURNE
Having signed Joe Daniher and Darcy Parish, the club can finally turn to its long list of veterans.
Essendon has salary cap room after the long list of ASADA-related departures including Jake Carlisle, Patrick Ryder, Stewart Crameri and Jake Melksham.
Zaharakis is keen to stay and said this week he had been happy to wait in line.
“Everyone kept asking me why I hadn’t signed but Joe was the (priority) for the footy club and it was only this week that Essendon put a new contract on the table,” he said.
“We are ready to progress that through. The CBA got done and then Joe and now we can start talking to them.”
ROBBO: FAMILIES THE HIDDEN VICTIMS OF AFL SCANDAL
Goddard, 32, needs to hit a 17-game trigger to receive another season and will do that in Round 18.
His manager Craig Kelly said yesterday Goddard was keen to go on, with the only question whether he receives a pay rise given the new AFL pay deal.
“He is right for next year. It is an automatic contract and the club and Adrian (Dodoro) haven’t caught up with BJ and I yet, but we will do that soon,” Craig Kelly said.
James Kelly, 34 in December, signed on at Essendon after finishing his career at Geelong and believing his career was over.
But his rich vein of form has continued, he is sound of body and mind, and seems a strong chance to play next year.
His manager James Sourasis said yesterday Kelly and the club would sit down at year’s end.
If he continues his current form through the next six weeks with his body continuing to hold up the club is open to a third season.
Jobe Watson’s future is less certain given he was rested for a second time in the year last night and his form has blown hot and cold.
He has won 27 possessions or more in five of the past seven games and is still a strong contributor, but has been less damaging by foot.
The late draft pick that could deliver Stringer to Giants
Essendon is open to trading inconsistent star Jake Stringer to GWS as the 30-year-old considers a beefed-up offer from the Giants.
Robbo: ‘Exploration in leadership’ behind key Dons’ US venture
Essendon’s search for finals success goes on, and to find some inspiration, three of their most important people will head to the US for some “leadership growth,” reports Mark Robinson.