Moneyball: The latest contract updates and trade news in the AFL
Rated one of the most-talented players in his draft, one of Gold Coast’s emerging stars has been stuck on the outer this year. Could it open the door for a return home? TRADE NEWS.
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Gold Coast top-10 pick Elijah Hollands has significant interest at rival clubs after a season in which he has stagnated with just four senior games.
The No. 7 draft pick from the Murray Bushrangers is in his third season and is contracted for the 2024 season but hasn’t come on after playing five encouraging games as a mid-forward last year.
He kicked six goals in his five games last year and with a powerful physique mixed with an exceptional running tank, he seemed a player of the future.
But his future is a wait-and-see proposition given he isn’t in the senior team at a Gold Coast side stacked with midfield talent.
The brother of Carlton’s Ollie Hollands might be dragged out of the club for a quality pick in return.
And the Suns are keen to stockpile early draft selections so they can secure their trio of top-15 academy selections starting with No. 1 draft contender Jed Walter.
Allies coach Mark McVeigh told RSN Radio on Tuesday he had never seen a player so keen to tackle, chase and “empty out” than Walter, likening him to Josh Kennedy for his desperation to influence games.
GAFF OPEN TO FRESH START AWAY FROM EAGLES
West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff would entertain a fresh start at a new club if a rival could satisfy the Eagles in a trade or salary dump.
Gaff’s form has spiraled in recent years and hit a low point on Saturday when the Oakleigh product racked up only six disposals in the loss to Brisbane Lions.
Rival clubs have dubbed him an obvious trade target as West Coast attempt to off-load salary and rebuild its list amid its worst-ever season.
But the big discussion at rival clubs is whether the No. 4 draft pick can reignite his form and is essentially worth trading for, considering his salary.
There has been no interest in him to this point of the season, five years after he knocked back a whopping $1 million-a-year offer from North Melbourne.
Gaff, who was once one of the best outside midfielders in the game, is set to be paid more than $700,000 next year in the final season of his lucrative contract.
Any interest in Gaff, 31, would be considered as the Eagles may opt for other young developing players in his position if the midfielder’s form doesn’t improve.
Coach Adam Simpson has already said the club will have one of the youngest lists in the league over the next two seasons as part of a move into a new era.
For Gaff, who missed out on the 2018 premiership due to a suspension for a strike on Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw, a move to a new club could provide a clean slate for the ballwinner to reinvigorate his career.
But any trade value Gaff previously had has declined this season.
It seems certain West Coast would have to contribute a significant chunk of his salary at a new club, in the same vein Collingwood paid a slice of Brodie Grundy’s wage at Melbourne and Adam Treloar at Western Bulldogs.
Gaff has tried to reboot his career at West Coast amid the decline, but there has been a significant spotlight on his performances as one of the club’s most senior and highly-paid players.
Western Bulldogs traded wing Lachie Hunter for a fourth-round draft pick last year but Hunter was not as highly-paid as Gaff, which makes a trade deal harder.
PIE SHARPSHOOTER TO SHUN RIVAL INTEREST
Collingwood’s jumping jack forward Ash Johnson will re-commit to the Pies despite strong rival interest in another boost to their forward line.
Johnson signed a contract extension for 2023 that gave him security but only on modest terms while rehabbing a serious hamstring injury.
His dramatic elevation into the senior team from round 18 onwards saw him kick 15 goals in nine games showcasing his strong hands and rangy athleticism.
The Pies are thrilled with Johnson’s improved professionalism despite occasional setbacks, throwing him into the senior side last week despite a poor VFL game.
He kicked three goals in a side that could not call upon Brody Mihocek and will retain his spot in the team.
Johnson has made clear he wants to stay at the Pies long-term so a deal will be struck that more accurately reflects his output and upside.
Collingwood is also about to finalise John Noble’s multi-year deal as it works on a long-term extension for brilliant All Australian contender Josh Daicos, who is signed to 2024.
VETERAN SET TO RE-SIGN
Taylor Walker’s new one-year contract will be announced shortly with his brilliant form rewarded with a deal of up to $600,000.
Walker is in All Australian calculations despite a quiet game against Essendon, having re-signed last year on similar money.
At a time when most key forwards are slowing down - and taking pay cuts - he has had one of the best seasons of his career.
Those talks are ongoing but a deal of around $550,000-$600,000 will reflect his continued output while also leaving cash for the club to pursue free agents like Mason Redman.
Redman still hasn’t committed to Essendon despite their strong financial offer on a new long-term deal so Adelaide will believe it is in the race until he signs on the dotted line at the Dons.
NEW RECORD FOR ORAZIO?
Orazio Fantasia might have set a new record for managers as he assesses his future at Port Adelaide.
The former Essendon player is now onto his fourth management team - W Group - amid reports he is keen to return to the Dons after a stint at Port Adelaide.
He discounted those reports using similar language to his denials before he left for the Power, so who knows where he will end up?
But he left Essendon halfway through a heavily front-ended contract that ruffled feathers at the club given he had secured so much of that contract.
Fantasia’s move to the new management firm is part of them helping with his career transition but it is hard to see how Essendon would want him.
They have exciting forwards like Jake Stringer, Jy Menzie, Archie Perkins and Matt Guelfi with Alwyn Davey Jr showing impressive VFL form after making his debut earlier this season.
PORT TO LOCK AWAY EMERGING DEFENDER
Port Adelaide’s Dylan Williams is set to stay at Port Adelaide in a season where the unrestricted free agent has made massive gains as a long-kicking defender.
Williams was delisted by the club as a No. 23 draft pick from 2019 as he struggled to gain elite fitness but put back on as a rookie, which secured him free agency status.
And while rival clubs have asked about him he sees his future at the Power in a year where he has averaged 17 disposals and 5.4 intercept possessions.
The Power’s first priority is securing Mitch Georgiades
DOGS FREE AGENT CLOSE TO SIGNING
Western Bulldogs free agent Bailey Williams is weeks away from securing a new deal.
Amid speculation about Bailey Smith’s future, Williams has had a strong year on the opposite wing averaging 18 possessions as a hard-running utility.
He is keen to stay and talks are progressing strongly, with the Dogs playing Williams and Caleb Poulter on their wings with Smith as a high half forward against Collingwood.
The Dogs on Tuesday locked in former Melbourne wingman Oskar Baker after securing him as a summer rookie last year.
He has been handed a two-year contract extension to 2025.
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Originally published as Moneyball: The latest contract updates and trade news in the AFL
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