Your guide to every AFL free agent and your club’s key uncontracted players and top targets
EVERY AFL club faces a nervous wait on a number of key free agents and uncontracted players. JON RALPH profiles the men your club must decide on and who they should target.
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EVERY AFL club is facing a nervous wait on a number of key potential free agents and uncontracted players. JON RALPH profiles the key men your club must decide on.
The list covers every AFL free agent, the key uncontracted players at your club and some contracted players who will figure prominently in the October trade period.
Some clubs have up to 20 uncontracted players so not every one of those features, while Gold Coast and GWS have no free agents at all.
AFL DAILY: COVERAGE OF TODAY’S NEWS FROM THE FOOTY WORLD
ADELAIDE
UNCONTRACTED
Jake Lever — The star defender has made it clear he wants to stay at Adelaide and his manager Ned Guy is on the record saying as soon as the CBA is done he will get talking.
Rival clubs will pump his price up, but given they both say he wants to stay it would take a significant backflip for him to leave. As one of the best intercept defenders rivals would pay him $800,000 a year to leave, so he’s worth just south of that to stay.
Mitch McGovern — The 22-year-old is just returning to football after a hamstring issue and is happy to wait until he gets some senior footy under his belt before starting contract talks.
But he is happy at Adelaide according to those close to him and isn’t determined to leave to go back to Perth and reunite with brother Jeremy at West Coast.
It will play out late in the year but he’s a star and will need to be paid accordingly if the stays at Adelaide.
FREE AGENTS
Andy Otten — He is an unrestricted free agent and given his solid service at both ends of the ground this year the Crows would be keen to keep him. Surely he plays out his career at Adelaide.
Scott Thompson — Can’t get back into the senior side and at 34 is certain to retire at season’s end.
TARGETS
Bryce Gibbs is only 28 and if they miss the flag the Crows will be gagging to go for him again. Believed the Blues would relent late in the trade period so will have to offer players or picks for him.
Determined to get him this time.
BRISBANE
UNCONTRACTED
Daniel McStay — Brisbane believes they will soon retain him despite offers from Melbourne clubs. Has the chance to play centre half back for the next decade there. Lions have the cash to keep him.
FREE AGENTS
Tom Rockliff — The only reason he didn’t leave last year was because clubs weren’t that keen to offer the Lions anything.
Now talks have at least started between club and manager. Likely to play out later in the year. But playing brilliant footy in an improving side. Still only 27 so might feel he can stay it out in a club that is slowly building towards success.
Claye Beams — Just back from a hamstring and last week had a bumper NEAFL game but needs to put together a good second half of the year to get another contract.
PUNTERS CLEAN UP: THE WORST POSSIBLE RESULTS FOR THE TAB
JUST SIGNED
The Lions have just signed up Josh Schache, Harris Andrews, Jarrod Berry, Tom Cutler, and are keen to extend Eric Hipwood’s deal past 2019.
Normally they would be looking to throw around cash at another free agent or unsigned player but they want to go through the draft again.
It’s a smart business decision as they prepay cash for contracts on players like Schache and Hipwood. Then they grow organically using homegrown talent.
Extending Hipwood past his current deal would be great business given the sign it would send their list.
CARLTON
UNCONTRACTED
Sam Rowe - Just went down with an ACL that should still allow him to return by Round 1 next year. The club is letting his early recovery get on track but will sign another deal. Not an intercept-marker but had excellent stats as an honest full back who stopped his man thriving.
Dale Thomas — Has released the trigger clause of his contract and is actually playing some handy football. Given their inexperience has stunningly given himself a chance to play on at a lower contract price. Turned 30 this week so it’s his body rather than age that is the concern.
FREE AGENTS
Matthew Kreuzer — Told the Herald Sun last week he was keen to stay at the club. Has some kind of trigger clause to go on next year and why would the 28-year-old want to leave? No detailed contract talks yet.
Levi Casboult — Again told the Herald Sun he was keen to stay given he was a Blues fan growing up. But how desperate are clubs to try to secure a player like Casboult, a quality second forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck?
The Blues need him because their kids are still growing and have plenty of salary cap room. Get the feeling they will have to pay up to keep him given clubs like Richmond could get him without needing a trade.
Dennis Armfield — Just two games so far for the much-loved Carlton figure. Fought back last year after injury to play the second half of the year as a pressuring half forward. Needs to get into the side to go again.
Kade Simpson — Why wouldn’t the star defender go again? He is 33 but has played every game and is still in exceptional form. Decision at season’s end.
UNCONTRACTED — A whole heap of players including Dylan Buckley, Nick Graham, Kristian Jaksch and Blaine Boekhorst who need to finish the year with a rush to ensure they aren’t part of another clean-out.
Liam Jones — Finishing a three-year deal and now two weeks into an extraordinary renaissance. He will surely stay, Do they offer a two-year deal at good money. Does another club try to poach him? Talks will wait until he builds a body of work.
IN CONTRACT — Bryce Gibbs. Has two years on a deal that was five years at $3 million. The Blues should offer him an extension at serious money. Otherwise you still figure he is a live concern. Some inside the club still very concerned he will return home next year.
Said in a radio interview recently he wasn’t thinking about whether he might return home again. Does anyone believe that? Surely it’s weighing on his mind. Be a fascinating story for the second half of the year. Only turns 29 next March, so given his form the Blues won’t let him go without getting a first-round pick. Could they let him go and use the pick on a GWS kid like Jacob Hopper?
COLLINGWOOD
UNCONTRACTED
Brodie Grundy — One of the competition’s best ruckmen, Grundy has continually stated he wants to be at Collingwood but his deal is being delayed by the CBA negotiations. Now that is done, expected to sign a three-year deal. That puts him out of contract again as a free agent.
Tom Phillips — Another revelation for the Pies with an elite running game and a handy left foot. Was being delayed by the CBA but why would he want to go anywhere?
Mason Cox — The Pies believed they were close to re-signing him earlier in the year but he’s not in the side right now and the club’s plans are clearly built around one key forward.
Would still be a shock if he wasn’t re-signed but at 26 and after only four games this year he might be eager to play senior footy. Pies gave him his chance.
FREE AGENTS
Tyson Goldsack — After an indifferent few years because of injuries and form he has struck back in a big way. Playing great footy until injured his shoulder against Fremantle. Talks later in the year but a good chance to get another season.
Ben Sinclair — The coach loves his pace and bounce off half back but after another serious hamstring injury through the JLT series, durability is a huge concern. Still only 25.
Lachie Keeffe — Being used in the ruck and the attack in the VFL in recent weeks after the club recontracted him after drugs ban.
Josh Thomas — Up and down season in the VFL after being recontracted along with Keeffe after drugs ban. Needs to lift to get another deal.
ESSENDON
UNCONTRACTED
Joe Daniher — Soaring up the charts as a star forward. A three year deal is in the offing at big bucks. He deserves it. Will be sealed now the CBA is done. No worries here. Only quibbles are over the size of the salary - on current form he’s worth $800,000 a year.
Darcy Parish — A solid second season but not as eye-catching because the midfield is better stocked. Contract talks are ongoing but don’t expect too many issues here.
James Kelly — Why wouldn’t he go on again? Has played extremely solid footy down back in between being rested one week and missing another with a groin.
If the club can secure a Jasper Pittard or Jason Johannisen type it might influence him. But at least in the conversation to extend his unlikely second career into a third year. 34 in December.
REPORT CARD: BOMBERS ON TRACK FOR RARE PIECE OF HISTORY
FREE AGENTS
Brendon Goddard — Has a 17-game clause which he should hit without a bad injury. Has already hit 12 games. Clearly deserves another year and will get it. Just turned 32.
David Zaharakis — Has bounced back with some better form which means at 27 his spot would be guaranteed. Loves the club, be strange to leave after he has been through so much.
Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett — All three have been out of the side regularly, which doesn’t bode well for the future. The Dons had to re-contract them after the ASADA bans that ruined the club.
But you would think all three would be pushing the proverbial uphill to be re-signed again.
Jobe Watson — No word yet from Jobe on next year, but the gut feel is he might disappear over to New York again post-season and not pop his head up again for a few years.
We asked him if he was enjoying his footy a few weeks back and he said he was. The coach is scheduled to chat to him about his future in the next few weeks.
His best is still really good — against Brisbane, Port Adelaide and West Coast. But hasn’t hurt teams as much with his disposals. Given his year out and waning motivation over summer, he has still very much held his head up. 33 next February.
FREMANTLE
More than half of this list is out of contract, with a stack of free agents. Maximum room for manouvering for the Fremantle list management team.
UNCONTRACTED
Zac Dawson — Has been playing in the WAFL since Round 3. One of footy’s great survivors is surely in his last season.
Connor Blakely — One of a long list of younger players out of contract, he has tagged well and done enough to earn another contract
FREE AGENTS
Nathan Fyfe — No one seriously believes by now he will leave the club, which will make him its highest-paid player. St Kilda has gone cold, few others seem to be interested.
Can’t see a situation where he doesn’t sign at the Dockers.
David Mundy — Triggered a one-year extension in his contract recently and has new lease on life playing forward.
Hayden Ballantyne — Soon to return from a long term hamstring issue and only turns 30 in July. A trade for him never went through last year. Can he build a case late in the year so others are keen on him?
Aaron Sandilands — Just signed a one-year contract extension.
Zac Clarke — Missed the entire season so far with knee issues, but at 27 will stay given the club needs ruck cover for Aaron Sandilands.
GEELONG
UNCONTRACTED
Brandan Parfitt — Will soon sign a one-year extension to his initial two-year deal after exciting with his midfield dash. Still a few weeks away after hamstring issues.
Nakia Cockatoo — His latest hamstring issue reinforces the rollercoaster ride of his career. One week he puts on a serious of bone-crunching tackles, the next he breaks down again.
But after being taken with a first-round pick he seems on the verge of something special and will sign a two-year contract extension soon.
Jake Kolodjashnij — Has played the last five games of the season after starting in the VFL. Was seen as a star on the rise when signed to a two-year deal in 2015 despite interest.
Hasn’t taken the next step since then and while he will be linked to a Gold Coast-Ablett trade given his brother plays there, surely he’s needed in the succession plan for life after Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan.
Interesting contract talks ahead.
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FREE AGENTS
Daniel Menzel — Has signed a serious of one-year deal but was scheduled to begin talks after the bye. Surely due for at least a two-year deal and pay rise. Raised prospect of return home to Adelaide in recent radio interview but surely will stay after achieving so much since return. Still needs to add a tackling dimension to his game, which would help price rise.
Steven Motlop — Another inconsistent season that promises so much and yet puts up performances like last week, with just 12 effective possessions.
Happy to wait until Round 18 or 20 to consider his deal but as a free agent if he left on good money the Cats could easily get a juicy compo pick. Would it help them with their trade for Ablett?
Here is the equation — as a Cats fan if you had to lose Motlop but would trade that second-round pick for him to the Suns for Ablett, would you do it? I think the answer is yes in a heartbeat.
But that is the kind of equation they will have to deal with come trade time.
Andrew Mackie — The assumption was that this was the rebounding defender’s last year. If so he has done it going out in style. Has been in such great form surely there is a conversation to be had about whether he ekes out one more year.
Tom Lonergan — His last three weeks have been very solid, but the assumption again is that this is his final year at 33 years of age. Rebuffed Dogs contract a few years back and would be happy he has got the absolute best out of his career if he does retire.
Josh Cowan — Just announced he is done for the year after another achilles injury. After eight years in the system for so few games (16) surely his career is over. Geelong have been unbelievably loyal to him.
But despite his talent they will likely move on.
GOLD COAST
Brandon Matera — Has turned his career around with 22 goals in 10 games after starting the year out of the team. West Coast will always be interested but he’s resisted the chance to return home before.
Seems settled on the Gold Coast. No doubt plenty more to play out with this contract.
Steven May — Told the club he wouldn’t be signing until they could provide more certainty around their direction and had seen whether they had laid the platform for success.
Surely they are mostly on the way to that despite some hiccups this season. He has drawn massive offers from down south from clubs like Hawthorn and Melbourne but is moving closer to a long-term commitment to the club.
Trent McKenzie — Has played NEAFL sandwiched around a six-week hamstring injury. So talented but has flaws in his game. Needs to get back into the senior to push his contract claims.
Jarrod Harbrow — Enjoying his best season in a while after signing a three-year extension in 2014 until the end of this season. Suspended by the club after drink-driving charge but won’t affect their decision to re-contract him.
IN CONTRACT
Gary Ablett — Has a final year left on his deal at around $700,000. Won’t play for Gold Coast next year. Cats seem very keen to acquire him. If he accepted $400,000 a year for two years and the Suns accepted a late second or early third-round pick, how is that not a win-win for both clubs?
Tom Lynch - The co-captain signed a two-year extension this time last year and comes out of contract at the end of 2018. That makes him a free agent who every other club would love to acquire. But given he’s less than halfway through the deal there are no talks yet on a new deal. If Ablett leaves the club will at least have more money to pay him what he is worth.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Josh Kelly — Greater Western Sydney putting out very strong messages he will stay, with Kelly taking his time to make a decision about huge offers. North Melbourne have offered $9 million over 9 years, St Kilda will offer something similar, Jon Brown says Carlton are leading the race. What we do know is the Giants have told him to take as much time as he needs and don’t want to scare him off given the footy he is playing.
They are also selling the chance to win premierships and know if he signs a two-year deal at something around $700,000 to $800,000 he might pass up guaranteed cash but won’t be disadvantaged financially in the long run.
He will easily be able to make up that deficit in long-term lucrative deals later on. So much more to play out on this one.
Devon Smith — Persistently linked to Gold Coast but he and the Giants aren’t far apart on terms and it would take something going wrong for him not to stay.
He is out with a knee issue but is the pressuring forward and tackling machine that allows Stevie J and (hopefully at some stage) Brett Deledio to do their thing offensively.
Brett Deledio — Will play on next year desperate to get some continuity in his footy after repeated calf strains. Still only 30 so will believe he has lots of footy in him if he can find some durability.
Jacob Hopper — An academy product who played lots of footy in Victoria as a boarder at Barllarat’s St Pats, he is the man child midfielder so many clubs are after.
He would be a perfect replacement for Bryce Gibbs if the veteran did eventually leave for Adelaide. Just out for another four weeks with an ankle after a long-term finger injury.
A wide array of Victorian clubs will be hunting the no. 7 pick in the 2015 draft.
HAWTHORN
Billy Hartung — Still isn’t using his pace and kicking rated elite as a junior to enough effect. Up and down season in which he has been dropped at times but showed flashes of promise.
Was dangled as trade bait last year, good enough to get another contract but not the player the club hoped he might be.
FREE AGENTS
Shaun Burgoyne — After 331 games and at 34 years of age is still keen to play on next year on a one-year contract. Can’t see why he wouldn’t given excellent form and versatility which means he doesn’t take away games from kids in any specific position.
Luke Hodge — Started the year giving up the captaincy, with whispers about a poor pre-season and suspended for Round 1 after missing training dealing with some issues at his brother’s 21st birthday party.
We assumed he would limp to the line in his final year. Instead he has been a very solid servant, often playing loose in defence in the besieged backline.
Given this team won’t compete for flags next year you assume at 33 he would be considering retirement. After all he is setting himself up for a media career post-footy.
But it wouldn’t shock if he said he was enjoying footy and wanted one more year.
Josh Gibson — Has been panned for his diminished form this season as he plays on the giants like Lance Franklin and Charlie Dixon. And yet the moment he announces his retirement at some stage this year we will laud his incredible legacy, including two best-and-fairest awards in premiership seasons. At 33 his has been a marvellous career.
Ryan Schoenmakers — Battling away in the VFL doing not much at all. He re-signed with the Hawks in those cherished months after his breakthrough premiership but in retrospect might have headed elsewhere when in demand.
Has played just seven games since, most of last year wrecked by groin issues. Still just 26.
Taylor Duryea — Played Round 1 and Rounds 9—12 in the AFL with a big chunk of VFL games in between. At 26 seemed on the rise but has stagnated this year. Does he have another cache for someone to try to poach him for free? Probably not.
MELBOURNE
UNCONTRACTED
Bernie Vince — Vince hasn’t racked up big numbers in the last month or so but is still a solid servant who plays his role every week. He is 32 in October but can’t see him retiring yet.
Jack Trengove — One of the more unusual stories in the AFL given he is in the best every week for Melbourne’s VFL side but isn’t in their plans. Will he get another crack at it or will he be the next Jack Grimes, delisted and not handed a lifeline despite captaining the club in the recent past?
Cam Pedersen — A great survivor who now needs to show he can also play forward when Max Gawn returns to frank another season in his AFL career. Been excellent as an undersized ruckman.
Christian Salem — Quietly putting together a very tidy season after another off-season interrupted by concussion after dropping a brick on his head ... We love the Josh Kelly v Salem/Dom Tyson deal because it changes every week. Especially with Jayden Hunt also thrown into the deal and the Giants getting a pick that got them Rory Lobb. But right now the Dees are doing fine from the deal. Demons will be keen to contract him long-term.
FREE AGENTS
Jake Spencer — The 27-year-old signed a one-year extension to his contract last year and looked impressive in the ruck before going down with a poorly timed shoulder injury. The Dees will be eager to sign him again as back-up for Max Gawn.
NORTH MELBOURNE
UNCONTRACTED
Jarrad Waite — The club will wait until the post-season to assess the fortunes of all their elder statesmen. Waite is typically up and down, a 1.7 performance in Round 1, a five-week shoulder injury, a six-goal haul against Adelaide and a suspension. Since then he has kicked 3.7 in his last four matches. Would be a chance to go on if he closed the season out. Helps Ben Brown with better match-ups.
Sam Gibson — He is 31 but hasn’t missed a game since debut and would be certain to play on given he is a running machine who can shut down stars like Rory Sloane. A late bloomer who hasn’t missed a beat.
Ben Jacobs — Activated a trigger clause in his contract in 2015 that gave him an extra season — locking him away until the end of 2017. But given continuing foot injuries can’t get a run at it.
Club will stick with him aware he is an elite tagger when at his best.
Aaron Mullett — Been a solid servant without anything spectacular, playing every week apart from a fortnight out with a hand injury. All clubs need role players like Mullett.
TRADE SPECIAL: GARY BUCKENARA ON NORTH MELBOURNE
FREE AGENTS
Scott Thompson — Still a serial pest, still mostly getting the job done. The club would love to get players like Sam Durdin in but given Thompson and Robbie Tarrant are still a quality duo, be a surprise if he was forcibly retired.
Lachie Hansen — Has had a poor last fortnight but the free agent is still only 28 and has had a solid year playing every game. Why not give him a one-year contract and if Durdin goes past him he plays VFL?
CONTRACTED — Todd Goldstein is contracted and on seriously good money, so what does the club do with Braydon Preuss? If they don’t think they are close to a flag, why not move on Goldstein if they believe Preuss will leave soon? Preuss’ manager says he is loyal right now but isn’t hiding his client’s frustration at waiting in the reserves not getting a senior game when he is good enough to be a lead ruckman somewhere.
PORT ADELAIDE
Half of the list is uncontracted after the club told its players to start performing before they assessed their values. Now they are systematically going through the big deals to try to re-contract those they want.
TRADE SPECIAL: GARY BUCKENARA ON PORT ADELAIDE
UNCONTRACTED
Brad Ebert — Playing great football so his price might rise but the member of the famous football family won’t be going anywhere.
Jack Hombsch — A highly rated key position defender in the perfect age bracket, his year has again been excellent save for a stinker against Essendon. The club will have to come to the party financially but says he is keen to stay.
Also out of contract — Aaron Young, Sam Gray, Tom Clurey, Dougal Howard, Angus Monfries
FREE AGENTS
Jasper Pittard — North Melbourne have denied they have offered him $3 million over five years, but the free agent clearly has suitors in Melbourne that include Essendon.
There is a line of thought the Power won’t be shattered to lose one of him or Jackson Trengove given their salary cap constraints. Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas denied they were desperate to get back into the first round of the draft on SEN Radio on Monday night. But Pittard is a long way from certain to stay.
Jackson Trengove — The utility has said he wants to stay at Port Adelaide, but in a market where there are few free agents with any size he will have suitors. Would make business sense if he waited until year’s end to sign. Clubs like Richmond would be silly not to consider a player who can play ruck, forward and defence and can be secured with cash but no draft pick.
Justin Westhoff — Is one of the club’s priority signings and is an unrestricted free agent. Surely won’t be going anywhere given he is a key pillar of a side having success this year.
RICHMOND
FREE AGENTS
Dustin Martin — He likes the club, they have satisfied his desire to play in a successful team, he likes the coach, he has good mates at the club.
But still the lingering feeling persists that a rival will strike with a monster deal. The Tigers should match it and at very worst get a better trade for Dusty. But it will all play out at season’s end, as was predicted all the way back in December. As of this week they would get compensation selection 14 if Dusty was to walk and they didn’t match it.
TRADE SPECIAL: GARY BUCKENARA ON RICHMOND
UNCONTRACTED
Daniel Rioli — He is happy to sign a long term deal in only his second season but talks bogged down after the CBA resolution was delayed. Won’t be too much of an issue for the Tigers.
Dan Butler — Has made every post a winner this year and will duly be rewarded given his offensive and tackling game.
Anthony Miles — A predicament for the Tigers, who love Miles but can’t squeeze him into their side. Has played only two games, still dominating in the VFL. Be very surprised if rivals aren’t already sniffing around promising a regular senior game.
Ben Lennon — Another high draft pick whose best is too good for the VFL but not quite good enough for the AFL. No real suitors at the end of last year so might have to sign another one-year deal and just keep working hard.
ST KILDA
UNCONTRACTED
Dylan Roberton — He has been a revelation after shrugging off his ankle injuries and emerged as a key part of the defence. Saints are keeping quite on contract talks but would be negligent not to have had detailed discussions.
Jack Billings — Sam Lansberger reported this week a two-year deal is the most likely option for Billings, who is ranked the number one forward in the comp based purely on possessions. Rising in the AFL landscape quickly given he racks up touches and has started to hit the scoreboard. 13 goals this year so far after only 13 combined in the previous two seasons.
Shane Savage — Has been at the club for four years and at times has been exciting with his penetrative kicking but is currently out of the side. Will get another deal but the club would surely love him to go to another level with his footy.
FREE AGENTS
Sam Gilbert — Plays an unfashionable brand but still gets the job done as a third defender with strong overhead abilities. Will surely play on at only 31 this coming August.
Nick Riewoldt — Told Fox Footy again on Friday night he was very keen to play on. Coach Alan Richardson says strong performances will allow him to do that. Can’t see him not playing on despite speculation about his future when he was out injured. If his knee allows him to get onto the field at better than 80 per cent, he is still a match-winner. He is 35 in October.
Leigh Montagna — Has still racked up excellent numbers in his 11 games and Richardson says he provides strong coaching and leadership. He will be 34 in November so the club will have to decide whether or not he is holding younger players back.
SYDNEY
UNCONTRACTED
Alex Johnson — Has recovered from five knee reconstructions and now that his knee is sound he is getting some soft-tissue soreness and dealing with the bumps and bruises of training. Hopeful of a NEAFL return soon.
Will stick with him next year now that he has come so far.
Zak Jones — In demand for his hard running and precise kicking. Not many players have his blend of inside and outside footy, which is why players like him and Josh Kelly are in such hot demand. Swans boss Andrew Ireland told the Herald Sun recently he wanted to stay and the club was confident of putting a deal in front of him that paid him what he was worth. His management has confirmed talks are underway.
Nothing really surprises in the AFL but it would take a significant setback or about-face for him to leave now. The new CBA also allows the Swans to pay players like him a fair rate.
CONTRACTED
Kurt Tippett — Has extended his contract to 2020 but taken less cash per year. That’s good for Sydney given he was only close to $900,000 a season at the height of his contract. It also means if a rival chased him hard it’s easier for both parties to get him traded.
No one wants to play an under-performing player crazy cash, but if someone offered him three years at $600,000 he might take it at a new home. At rock bottom given form right now but is still a very handy ruck/forward and there aren’t that many in the game who can do both adeptly.
FREE AGENTS
Jarrad McVeigh — Continual calf and hamstring issues have plagued McVeigh this year, who is coming off the last year of a long-term deal. Has played just two games so far but is close to a recall, possibly this weekend.
At 32 there is a good chance he will retire and if he plays on for one more year it will be on a vastly reduced wage that will clear salary pressure for the Swans.
Sam Reid — Reid is hugely in demand because he is one of the few marking targets who are deemed gettable as a free agent. He has said he wants to stay in Sydney given he loves the lifestyle and his form this year combined with the new CBA rise means the Swans can afford to pay him. But it wouldn’t make sense for his management to do an early deal given a club like Richmond might eventually be tempted to throw crazy money at him, aware they don’t have to give up a pick. He is a superior player to Tyrone Vickery on current form and he got paid at Hawthorn. The warning — Reid has never kicked more than 31 goals in a year and that was back in 2012.
At least he should eclipse that figure this year — he has 19 goals from 12 games, including a bag of six against the Doggies.
WEST COAST
UNCONTRACTED
Sharrod Wellingham — Wellingham has had an acceptable year but nothing brilliant. At 28 he will stay with the club given few others would be desperate to poach him.
He hasn’t been able to hit the heights of that fantastic 2015 season but at his best is still a dasher from defence who can intercept in the air. Missed the last three games with an ankle injury.
Josh Hill — Not a big impacter of games but always finds himself on the scoresheet. At 28 he has already been dropped twice this year but given the club’s lack of medium-sized forwards it would be smart list management to give him another one-year deal.
Dom Sheed — At 22 he continues to display signs he can be a midfield star after missing much of last year with a pec issue. 22 touches and two goals against Geelong last up shows what he is capable of.
Sam Mitchell — Has a four-year deal at the club to play and coach. Loves it there so happy to coach for the next three years if he retires this year. His best games — like last week against Geelong — show he could still be of service next year. His poor games make you think he might want to coach next year, especially as he says his love of coaching is slowly overtaking his love of playing. Either way the Eagles will get great service from him in the next three years. Wants to be in good enough form at year’s end to make the decision himself, not be pushed into retirement.
Drew Petrie — Many wondered why big Drew would play on for a single year at a new club after being forcibly retired by North Melbourne. But despite a hand injury that has interrupted his year, he’s provided solid service, his best game against Gold Coast in that narrow loss. With Nic Nat back and Scott Lycett back on the comeback trail it’s probably only a one-year deal, but he’s scratched the itch and shown he is still worthy of AFL games.
FREE AGENTS
Mark LeCras — Turns 31 in August and while he’s not the star he once was he still has a nose for goal with 17 of them in 11 games. Would be stiff not to get another one-year deal, especially given the Eagles don’t have many crumbing forwards. If they can lure a player like Brandon Matera across it might reduce his game time but he has AFL footy left in him.
Erik Mackenzie — Has just fought back into the senior team after being unwanted last year at trade time. Played well on Dan Menzel last week. He is just 29 so given they want to throw Jeremy McGovern forward at times, he is handy cover for 2018 even if he often plays WAFL.
Sam Butler — Another of footy’s great survivors has been dropped twice this year and been only solid when he has played. Will be 32 in January, so clearly needs to finish the season in the AFL to guarantee another year on his contract.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
UNCONTRACTED
Jason Johannisen — His manager Tim Galic has confirmed to the Herald Sun the Dogs have lodged their best offer. It’s believed to be around $550,000 a year on a long-term deal. Essendon is desperate to acquire him, both Perth-based clubs are interested but aren’t sure if he’s driving up his price or really wants out. If he wants $800,000 he’s not getting anywhere near it at the Dogs. Their message right now is that they won’t considerably improve that offer given the array of stars they have coming out of contract in the next two years.
Had been playing exceptional footy until tagged by George Hewett and Jake Melksham. Has had two stinkers in a row. So does he want to stay for very good money or can he finish the year in roaring style and then leave for $750,000 a year or so. Even then is it worth it given he’s going to be a targeted player at other clubs. So does he want that pressure?
Lukas Webb — Signed a two-year extension in 2015 but has played only seven senior games in the past two years. They have transformed him into an inside midfielder, so he is developing as a player. But will he look Nathan Hrovat and Koby Stevens, getting a game every week after losing the Dogs. Or will he get more chances now that Lin Jong is injured. No point staying next year if he can’t get a game because others would be interested.
Mitch Honeychurch — Played his first game of the year against the Dees and kicked 0.3 in a wasteful display. The kind of player rival recruiters will have been scouting all year given his limited chances. Was seen as wildly exciting young kid, so will he want to move elsewhere for more chances. You would think so if he can’t get a game in the back half of the year.
‘BULLS**T’: STRINGER SLAMS NASTY DOGS RUMOURS
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Dale Morris — Just four AFL games this year given an ankle and leg injury. He will be 35 by December. A premiership hero last year despite a broken back. If he gets a run at it he is still one of the best lockdown defenders in the AFL. An injury-prone second half of the year would probably see him retire. If he can put together 8—10 games why wouldn’t they want him to go around one final time.
Robert Murphy — Started the year in fine style with some rollicking performances both forward and back. Then was rested, missed a game with knee soreness and then did his hammy in a game where he was also run down.
For the first time showed he might be mortal when up and running. At 35 his best is still very much good enough to see him go on again. You get the feeling his fortunes might depend upon how the Dogs finish up.
If they are still competing for flags he will be much more likely to go on for that one final season.
Matthew Boyd — The club made him earn a one-year deal despite his scintillating season in the premiership year. Then after missing three weeks with a shoulder amid confusion about whether how bad his shoulder injury actually was he returned against Sydney, looked hesitant with the shoulder and was dropped. Would have to put together 10 great weeks for him to go on, but 34 and right now equal with games played for any AFL rookie, he has been one of the AFL’s great stories. Will retire a much-loved Doggies figure.
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