Moneyball: The latest contract updates and trade news in the AFL
As Carlton makes a late play for the eight, Zac Fisher is sitting in the twos. Will he be at the club next year? Rivals are circling. Get the latest trade news here.
Sydney would have to part with its first draft pick to land gun defender Tom Barrass from West Coast after years of strong interest in the backman.
The Swans are chasing a key defender and have set their sights on Barrass, 27, in a move which would cost John Longmire’s men their top pick (number seven as the ladder stands).
West Coast could even ask for another pick in the later rounds to complete the deal but the Swans will likely consider a top-10 selection enough for a 27-year-old.
A deal could suit West Coast as the club does not want to give up Oscar Allen but still wants to regenerate the hapless side with top-end talent stemming from multiple early picks in this year’s draft.
Barrass is considered one of the best defenders in the competition who could help replace Paddy McCartin whose career at Sydney is in jeopardy due to his serious concussion problems.
The Eagle would also help the Swans’ attempts to return to finals after sliding down the ladder this year following a Grand Final appearance in 2022.
The problems in defence – missing Paddy and Tom McCartin and Dane Rampe for a considerable chunk of the season – are considered key reasons.
Lance Franklin is also likely to retire at season’s end, ending the career of one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Barrass signed a whopping five-year deal in 2021 to keep him at the club until 2027 and was ranked No. 53 in the Herald Sun’s Rich List on $700,000 – $800,000 a year.
The Herald Sun also revealed wingman Andrew Gaff was also open to a fresh start elsewhere but interest is minimal at this stage.
The Eagles are under salary cap pressure despite sitting last on the ladder amid the worst season in the club’s history.
Barrass is managed by Connors’ Sport agent Nick Gieschen who also handles this year’s No. 1 pick Harley Reid.
CATS REACH OUT TO DOGS ON BAILEY...
Geelong Cats have made contact with Western Bulldogs to assure the club is not pursuing gun playmaker Bailey Smith.
The Herald Sun understands a senior official at Geelong reached out to a colleague at the kennel to ease any fears the Dogs had about a rumoured approach from the Cats.
There was a report the Cats were actively discussing Smith but Geelong has denied it is in the midst of making a play for the star midfielder-forward.
Smith, 22, is contracted at the Bulldogs for another season and played well in the crushing win over Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Friday night amid some debate about his best position.
Smith, who again spent time on the forward flank, gathered 25 possessions and was highlighted by coach Luke Beveridge for his selfless team play helping disrupt Essendon’s intercept game across half back.
The No. 7 pick in the 2018 draft will play his 100th senior match against GWS Giants in Ballarat on Saturday afternoon.
The Cats are keeping an eye on Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish and Carlton’s Tom De Koning and gave strong consideration to ex-Collingwood big man Brodie Grundy last year.
Geelong may also lose Esava Ratugolea to Port Adelaide after the big man lost his spot in the Cats’ back six two weeks ago.
JACK PLANS TO STAY A PIE
Jack Ginnivan has been given a licence to roam further afield in the VFL as he commits to putting his head down to win back his spot in the senior side.
Ginnivan has no plans to explore the trade market despite being shut out of the Pies senior side since round 12.
Collingwood’s VFL side played Sandringham across the weekend with a raft of AFL recruiters on shows as they assessed the Pies depth talent including Finn Macrae.
Macrae won 29 possessions in the contest _ his highest possession tally in his time at Collingwood.
In yet another sign of Collingwood’s strength, the contracted forward is putting his head down and bum up to refine his forward craft at the Pies.
Ginnivan kicked 40 goals as an old-fashioned goalsneak last year but amid a positive drugs strike and internal suspension had a delayed start to the season.
He kicked eight goals in eight weeks in the AFL but was dropped after round 12.
Against Sandringham last he week he roved across the field _ and as high as half back _ as the Pies released him from the forward 50m.
Bobby Hill has been quieter in recent weeks with only three and six possessions, so Ginnivan’s chance might not far away.
Clubs at this time of the year aggressively pursue players stuck in the VFL with loads of talent but for Ginnivan the only issue is staying at the Pies as he pushes for a finals berth.
ROOS, HAWKS INTEREST IN OUT OF FAVOUR BLUE
Zac Fisher has strong interest from three Victorian clubs including North Melbourne and Hawthorn as the Blues prepare to allow him to be traded for greater opportunities.
Fisher has two more years at the Blues but wants to play midfield, with West Coast bizarrely showing no interest as they instead go into the national draft.
He has not played since round 12 and will be traded, with his cash freeing up the club to pursue rival options and likely sign players like Tom De Koning.
Carlton has strong interest in St Kilda free agent Jade Gresham, who put together three huge weeks before a quiet 11-possession game against North Melbourne in another reminder of his inconsistency.
The Roos might be prepared to offer a long-term deal for Fisher as they grow out their midfield, which contains a long list of pure inside midfielders.
Fisher would give Hawthorn or the Roos some outside pace and quality ball use, although his season was disappointing for the Blues before he made way at selection.
Carlton had believed Tom De Koning was likely out the door as recently as a month ago but now believe he is likely to remain in a massive swing.
De Koning played ahead of Marc Pittonet last week - with Pittonet returning from a PCL sprain - and has showcased his athleticism and round-the-ground ability.
ROOS LOOK AT ‘BRIDGING’ TALENT
The Kangaroos are being aggressive behind the scenes in attempting to recruit A-grade talent as well as midtier players they will need to top up their playing list next year.
Long-time stars Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington (who is still contracted for another year but could be paid out) are expected to move on, while others such as Kayne Turner, Aaron Hall, Daniel Howe and Liam Shiels might also exit the club.
The Kangaroos could make as many as 10 list changes at the end of the season but are confident they will be able to bring in a number of players surplus to the requirements of rival teams as they allow their draftees time to find their feet.
It won’t just be the Kangaroos looking for ‘bridging talent’ at the right price as players struggling for regular game time look for fresh starts elsewhere.
Among those players who could come under interest from the Kangaroos, or rival clubs, could be Carlton‘s out of contract pair Caleb Marchbank and Paddy Dow.
Clubs will be looking at a host of young Magpies who have struggled to push for regular selection in the top of the table side including Trent Bianco and Josh Carmichael.
The Kangaroos might need to add an extra defender to the squad next year with Griffin Logue (ACL) to miss next season, which could see them target someone like Adam Tomlinson, while fellow Demon Joel Smith could also be on the radar.
Forgotten Crow Matt Crouch, Cat duo of Brandon Parfitt and Sam Menegola, Richmond big man Ivan Soldo, Essendon’s Nick Hind, St Kilda’s Jack Billings, Bulldogs Buku Khamis, Jordan Sweet and Toby McLean and Swans pair Lewis Melican and Dylan Stephens could also be considered.
More Coverage
Inside AFL’s draft combine: See the standouts, surprise packet
Draft hopefuls for both the AFL and AFLW were put to the test at this year’s combine, with one Victorian key forward producing a stunning 20m sprint. See the results and more here.
Flag ‘daydream’ that drives King to create Saints history
Max King attended grand finals in 2009 and 2010 as a young St Kilda fan. Now he wants to go one better after committing his future to the club.