Zak Jones set to remain in Sydney, shunning interest from home state Victorian rivals

MELBOURNE is circling Sydney line-breaker Zak Jones but the Swans believe they will retain the breakout star as they also strive to re-sign Sam Reid.

SYDNEY is confident it will ward off Melbourne’s interest in Zak Jones and reward his brilliant form this year.

It comes as Sydney football boss Tom Harley emerges as a serious contender to succeed departing chief executive Andrew Ireland late next year.

The Swans chose not to prioritise signing Tom Mitchell last year, leading to speculation they had no hope of signing Jones or free agent Sam Reid given salary cap constraints.

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But Ireland said Jones, the club’s breakout star this year, was keen to stay at the club despite Victorian interest.

His brother, Nathan, is co-captain at Melbourne, with Jones’ burst of speed and precision kicking thrilling rival list managers.

“With these things you don’t count your chickens until you get the contract signed but discussions with Zak and his management have been really good and really strong,’’ Ireland said.

Zak Jones is tackled by Darcy Byrne-Jones during Round 1.

“We are confident he wants to be with us and people can say how tight our salary cap is, but we are confident that we can put a good contract in front of him he will be happy with.”

Reid’s situation is more complicated given he is a restricted free agent sure to attract considerable offers with his marking power up forward.

But he has put on record his desire to stay in the city, with Sydney able to match any deal given his restricted status.

Ireland came to Sydney in 2002 after 12 years as chief executive at Brisbane and after starting as director of football was elevated to CEO in 2010.

His contract expires at the end of 2018, with Ireland to remain on the club’s board but moving to Brisbane to be near his daughter and family.

The Swans will run a process to replace him next year but Harley is one of the strong internal candidates.

Sam Reid is also a free agent at the end of the year. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The Geelong dual premiership captain has football nous but also financial acumen through his work as AFL NSW/ACT general manager.

It would be a similar rise to Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale, who became the AFLPA chief executive before moving back to club land.

Ireland would not comment on Harley’s suitability but said president Andrew Pridham would head up the process.

“The view is we will wait until the start of next year and then start the process,’’ he said.

“I will stay on the board but will head back to Brisbane. My daughter has an 18-month-old so it would be good to be nearer to them.

“I will continue to do some consulting with the club even when I finish. I am happy to stay involved and support them where I can.”

Like most clubs the Swans have a mix of players on set deals and contracts that factor in the impending 20 per cent rise in the salary cap.

But the Swans are hopeful Reid will decide he wants to stay with the club and in the city he has made his home.

“With Sam we are pretty confident he wants to stay,’’ Ireland said.