Moneyball: The latest trade and contract news from across the AFL
One of footy’s most heartwarming stories looks set to be rewarded for some stellar form, as the footy world ponders the next big fish to chase now that Matt Rowell appears off the table.
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One of footy’s most heartwarming stories looks set to roll into 2026 with cheap as chips North Melbourne defender Toby Pink about to start negotiations on a new deal that he feared might never come.
Pink is the final season of a contract after being demoted to the rookie list last year in what could have been the final chapter for a player already dumped by Sydney without a senior game.
But his strong form this season – including a big three week stretch where he has not conceded a goal to star forwards – has his manager Anthony McConville from Mac Sports Promotions sitting down with the Kangaroos later this week in search of a new deal.
Moneyball believes Pink is earning about a bargain $150,000 per season, with this blanketing role on dual Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow (who earns almost $1m per season) the classic David and Goliath match-up in the Kangaroos’ 11-point victory.
It comes after a previous fortnight where he kept the exceptionally well-paid Josh Treacy and Oscar Allen without a goal.
Pink told this masthead he always felt as if he was playing for his career each week, but having conceded only 11 goals in his eight games this season, he is certain to win a new deal for 2026 and potentially beyond.
“I would love to stay at the club,” Pink said in the rooms after taking down Curnow. “Hopefully (a new contract) comes soon.
“I will leave that up to my manager, I just have to keep trying to play good football and hopefully that will all take care of itself.”
Pink said the incredible support of his wife, Chloe – who stood up to the online trolls who criticised her appearance when she posted their wedding photos earlier this year – and the Kangaroos had played a big part in his career revival after three unfulfilled seasons with the Swans and three more in the SANFL before coming to Arden St.
“I’m so proud of her,” Pink said of his wife. “She continues to call people out … she is my powerhouse. She had to deal with that, but I am extremely proud of her.”
He said the Kangaroos, coach Alastair Clarkson and his teammates gave him great confidence to back himself and to fit into the system.
“I never gave up on the dream of playing (AFL football),” he said. “I was close (to senior football) at Sydney but never got the chance to run out.
“I was sort of kicking myself about that, but to get this opportunity at North, I was always going to work so hard to make it happen.”
Of his duel with Curnow, he said: “I can take a lot of confidence out of this but it was just a great team effort (to beat Carlton).
“I can’t do what I do without the support of my teammates. I am pretty laid back and relaxed before games but it is always comforting knowing the support I’ve got on the field.
“I just want to cement my spot in the team. There are a lot of good players missing out now so it puts pressure back on me. But it’s something that is making me better.”
ROWELL LOCKED AWAY, SO WHO’S NEXT?
Now Matt Rowell has been rubbed out, names have been shifted up a line on recruiting whiteboards across the AFL.
The Suns inside midfielder was heavily courted by Victorian clubs – including Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood – but will now push that hunt back another two years as he nuts out a contract extension to stay on the Gold Coast.
Football insiders believe the clubs that were pursuing Rowell have similar names in the queue that will now be bumped up a line given the Sun is seemingly off the board.
Less of a pure inside midfielder and more adaptable, Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman remains off contract as he ponders a move back to Victoria.
Bergman has thrived since being put into the midfield on a permanent basis over the past month after cutting his teeth at halfback, and recruiters have noted his defensive running as an onballer and ability to tag.
He is sitting on a long-term Power offer but will have similar, long and lucrative deals as the focus of those Melbourne-based teams goes into overdrive.
Bergman’s vice-captain Zak Butters will still have clubs asking the question this off-season but he has said he is committed to playing at Port next year before his 2026 free agency.
James Worpel remains unsigned at Hawthorn and could be seen as Rowell-lite, given his inside grunt style, and clubs are expected to up their calls on the Hawk.
The Hawks want to keep Worpel and have tabled long-term offers.
He has signed contracts late in past years, having last signed in August, 2023.
His numbers are generally on par with last year when he was a vital cog in Hawthorn’s finals run.
West Coast is expected to be a player on the hunt for young, midfield talent this off-season and have been linked to Sydney’s Angus Sheldrick and North Melbourne’s Will Phillips.
Both are out of contracts at the end of the year, with Sheldrick having forced his way into the Swans’ onball rotation since round 10 and performed well.
Elijah Tsatas still hasn’t got a good run at a senior berth this year despite Essendon’s injury crisis, and should seek a fresh start, even though he holds a 2026 contract.
Fellow Don Will Setterfield is also out of contract this year, despite an excellent 11 games as a defensive-minded onballer.
Former first-round pick Ben Hobbs has also been stuck on the outside of the midfield rotation and is out of contract.
St Kilda stopper Marcus Windhager remains out of contract as an inside midfield option.
At Geelong, three youngsters Jhye Clark, Mitch Knevitt and George Stevens have all put up strong VFL performances but are stuck on the outside of senior selection.
HAWKS TURN TO NEXT KEY SIGNINGS
Hawthorn’s next signing priorities will be ruck Lloyd Meek and hard nut James Worpel after locking away Massimo D’Ambrosio and Josh Ward this week.
As flagged by Moneyball earlier this month, the Hawks closed out deals for Ward (four-year deal) and D’Ambrosio (three years), cutting a short list of off-contract players down even further.
Young defender Noah Mraz also signed a new deal until the end of 2028.
Ruckman Meek and onballer Worpel will be the next two of most focus for the Hawks, with talks underway this year on both.
Resurgent forward-midfielder Sam Butler is without a deal beyond this year, headlining a short group that also features Luke Breust, Jack Gunston and Sam Frost.
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