AFL 2022 trade news: Bombers secure defender Jayden Laverde in new three-year deal

A move to the backline last season and a stunning form reversal has been the catalsyt behind Essendon signing a key tall to a new three-year deal. All the latest trade news.

Collingwood star Darcy Moore has inked a new six-year deal with the club. Picture: Michael Klein

Jayden Laverde has re-signed at Essendon for another three years.

The 25-year-old had been set to become a free agent at the end of this season but has re-committed until the end of 2025 in a huge show of faith after this season’s one-year deal.

The Herald Sun revealed earlier this year that Laverde had pledged to remain at the club with his signature now officially secured.

Essendon is set to announce the news on Tuesday. The lifelong Essendon supporter moved to the backline last season and thrived, with his bright start to 2022 the final piece of the puzzle to being locked in.

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Jayden Laverde brings James Rowe to the ground in a tackle at the weekend. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I would love to be a one-club player,” Laverde told the Herald Sun in February.

“I grew up barracking for Essendon. It would be pretty nice, I grew up not far from the club. So it is a perfect world for me, I couldn’t imagine it being better or any other way.

“I obviously want to build on last year and staying injury-free and getting through the bulk of the games last year was really nice for me personally.

“So I am really focused on that. I have had a good last couple of months and am wanting to take it into the next season so that is all I am focused on at the moment.”

Vic clubs eye Lions spearhead after King misfire

Jay Clark

Brisbane key forward Daniel McStay has emerged as one of this year’s most in-demand free agents as he weighs up a potential return home to Victoria.

McStay, 26, has put contract talks with the Lions on hold until later in the season when he could become the leading tall target available after Darcy Moore (Collingwood) and Ben King’s (Gold Coast) re-signed.

There is strong interest from Melbourne-based clubs in the 195cm McStay with Hawthorn and Collingwood in the market for a strong-marking target to help bolster their forward line.

Essendon, Richmond and Western Bulldogs could also enter the race after the Bombers missed out on Gold Coast’s Ben King and Tim English considers a move home to West Coast.

The Tigers lost tall pair Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol in last year’s exchange period and will have a plan to replace Jack Riewoldt in coming years to help replenish the attack.

Daniel McStay enjoys a win with Brisbane Lions fans.

As an unrestricted free agent, the Lions would not be able to match an offer for McStay, meaning he could walk to the club of his choice.

It is believed almost every Melbourne-based club has made an enquiry about the East Ringwood product, who would only return home to Victoria, and not an interstate club, if he opted to depart Brisbane.

Daniel McStay is being eyed by Victorian clubs.

Tim English is considering a return to WA.

The Lions are tight for salary cap room after welcoming Joe Daniher from Brisbane, Charlie Cameron from Adelaide and Lachie Neale from Brisbane in recent years.

But the lure of chasing premiership success in coming years has fueled the Lions’ confidence the 142-gamer will remain a Lion as Brisbane prepare to take down Geelong on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.

He kicked two goals and racked up nine contested possessions in the thumping win over North Melbourne last weekend.

Melbourne is also desperate to bat away rival interest in star young tall Luke Jackson who could command a salary in excess of $800,000 to stay with the Demons.

West Coast is eyeing the gun ruck-forward but if Jackson wanted to leave Melbourne would certainly demand two first-round picks (including a top-three selection) from the Eagles to consider a trade.

Melbourne is confident Jackson will stay to help lead the club to more premiership success and continue his own remarkable rate of development.

McStay booted 28 goals from 19 games last year and is highly-rated for his selfless team play alongside Daniher, and when he returns this year, ACL victim Eric Hipwood.

The Lions will need extra draft points at season’s end to snare potential father-son selection and No. 1 draft pick Will Ashcroft, the son of premiership player, Marcus.

Will Ashcroft lives and studies in Melbourne and could yet elect to be drafted by any club, while Jaspa Fletcher, the son of Lion Adrian, is also on the Lions’ radar.

TOP 2022 FREE AGENTS

Jordan De Goey (Coll)

James Sicily (Haw)

Angus Brayshaw (Mel)

Caleb Daniel (WB)

Daniel McStay (Bris)

Jake Lloyd (Syd)

Bailey Dale (WB)

Jayden Short (Rich)

Karl Amon (PA)

Kyle Langford (Ess)

Travis Boak (PA)

Jack Gunston (Haw)

Liam Shiels (Haw)

Jayden Laverde (Ess)

Robbie Gray (PA)

MOORE’S MONSTER PIES DEAL UNVEILED

— Jon Ralph

Collingwood’s star defender Darcy Moore has signed a new six year deal worth over $5 million in a spectacular start to the club’s free agency signing spree.

Moore was happy to sign a long-term deal to make him a one-club player on a deal expected to be around $900,000 a season.

The Pies have already signed up young Collingwood players Beau McCreedy, Jack Ginnivan and Reef McInness in recent days.

But Moore’s signing so early in the season is a coup given he is playing some of the best football of his career.

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Collingwood star Darcy Moore has inked a new six-year deal with the club. Picture: Michael Klein

At 26 years of age, the new deal will take him well into his 30s as an intercepting defender with exceptional rebounding skills.

The son of club great Peter Moore had to deal with lingering injury issues early in his career but has ticked over the 100-game mark (105) and is the bedrock of the club’s back six.

“I’m glad to come to an arrangement with the club and continue my football career at Collingwood,” Moore said.

“With a new coaching group and young squad, we are creating strong foundations for the future – this is exciting to be a part of.”

“I understand my role as a leader of this program, and I’m pleased to continue this work for many years to come.”

Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey is also keen to stay at the club but rivals are considering whether to at least make bids on the powerful free agent.

The deal is set to make Moore a Pie for life. Picture: Michael Klein

His manager Ryan Vague said last month he wanted to remain at Collingwood but both parties wanted to assess his form early in the season.

Football boss Graham Wright said the Pies were thrilled they could secure Moore as a one-club player.

We’re wrapped to extend Darcy so he can potentially finish his career here at Collingwood,” Wright said.

“Darcy is already a vice-captain of the club and I’m sure he has aspirations to captain the club down the track.

“All-Australian key defenders, 200cm plus of his calibre are hard to find. We respected the fact he was a free agent at the end of this year, and he would take some time to make his decision.

“We are pleased to come to terms that should see Darcy play out his career at Collingwood.”

Originally published as AFL 2022 trade news: Bombers secure defender Jayden Laverde in new three-year deal