Travis Colyer could be next of Essendon’s banned 12 to re-sign
BANNED Essendon midfielder Travis Colyer is open to signing a contract extension in the latest show of faith in the Bombers.
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BANNED Essendon midfielder Travis Colyer is open to signing a contract extension in the latest show of faith in the Bombers.
Colyer, 24, has one more season on his present deal but, like all of Essendon’s banned 12, can leave the club this year.
But Essendon has been made aware he is willing to move past the drugs fiasco and recommit on a long-term deal.
The line-breaking midfielder thrilled with his pace and nose for goal early last season before suffering a hot spot in a foot.
Clubs casting their eyes over the Essendon 12 continue to ask about Colyer (below).
But an early extension would ward off pursuers who believe they might obtain a player in his prime for free.
Banned players with less time left in their careers will spend the coming months considering their options — which include a fresh start.
Midfielder David Myers, 27 in June, is a free agent and yet to inform the club of his intentions.
Ben Howlett’s manager Jason Dover told the Herald Sun the midfielder had been offered an extension after 20 games in 2015.
Howlett, 28 in October, is a free agent and is training with his banned teammates.
“They have made us an offer but we feel like it’s all too soon to be looking at that,’’ Dover said.
“We will let the dust settle and get some normality about the rest of the year and then decide from there.”
The Bombers were buoyed by the signing of tagger Heath Hocking last week, the first of their banned players to recommit.
Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell said last weeked he hoped players might have more idea on their intentions by July.
“(List manager) Adrian Dodoro has had discussions with Heath’s management for a period of time and they felt that now was a good time to announce it, they felt confident in the direction we’re going in.,’’ he said.
“We need to get to that point with the other guys hopefully too but I don’t see that happening in the next four to eight weeks and to be honest I’m comfortable with that.
“I wouldn’t say there’s one priority over another, we want to get this group back and I think the strength is in numbers.”
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