Geelong set to offer five-year contract to James Frawley, clubs circling GWS defender Jono O’Rourke

GEELONG is set to offer Melbourne free agent James Frawley a five-year contract in a bid to trump rivals Hawthorn and Gold Coast.

Round 15: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne AFLR1514 James Frawley Picture: Wayne Ludbey

GEELONG is set to offer Melbourne free agent James Frawley a five-year contract in a bid to trump rivals Hawthorn and Gold Coast for the success-starved big man.

James Frawley after the loss to West Coast. Photo by Paul Kane

The Cats will wait until after Frawley’s end-of-season talks with Melbourne are complete before they table a deal which would tie him to Geelong until the end of 2019.

Frawley, 25, is expected to officially exercise his free agency option when he meets Demons chiefs from Monday.

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Originally taken with pick No. 12 in 2006, Frawley’s departure will likely deliver Melbourne the No. 3 pick in free agency compensation.

The 193cm defender/forward was reportedly linked to an asking price of $700,000 a season, but Geelong’s offer is understood to be closer to $500,000 a year for the 2010 All-Australian.

The prospect of playing finals at his new club will also be a significant carrot for the man who has never played in September during his eight seasons at the Demons.

In an interview with the Herald Sun in 2012, Frawley said of his lopsided win-loss ratio, which now stands at just 34 wins from 138 games, “I don’t know the exact number, but obviously you get sick of it”.

Frawley is expected to play his last game for Melbourne against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium tonight.

Hawthorn, Fremantle and Gold Coast are also believed to have a strong interest in Frawley, but the Hawks and Dockers will not pay north of $700,000 for him.

Greater Western Sydney is also looking at key defensive options.

The Cats want Frawley to help support an ageing backline led by premiership stars Tom Lonergan, 30, Harry Taylor, 28, and Andrew Mackie, 30.

Frawley’s former Melbourne teammate Jared Rivers, who this week signed an extension to stay at Geelong, is 29.

Industry sources yesterday said the $500,000-per-year deal was a fair value for Frawley despite his inconsistent form.

It fits into the Cats’ strict salary cap structure and satisfies their mantra of not paying over market price for recruits.

Jono O'Rourke in action in Round 20 against North Melbourne. Photo by Mark Nolan

GIANTS No. 2 draft pick Jono O’Rourke could return home to Victoria after putting off contract talks until after tomorrow’s final-round clash against Western Bulldogs.

O’Rourke, 20, is considering his future after nine games in two years at the Giants.

The slick midfielder remains happy in Sydney and has not yet met any rival clubs.

But the prospect of more senior opportunities and the chance to be closer to family could sway the on-baller to follow Melbourne’s Dom Tyson and Collingwood hard nut Taylor Adams back to Melbourne.

O’Rourke, from Calder Cannons, has averaged 25.3 possessions, 8.9 contested possessions 3.7 clearances and three tackles a game in his 10 matches in the NEAFL this season.

Originally published as Geelong set to offer five-year contract to James Frawley, clubs circling GWS defender Jono O’Rourke