AFL trade news: Tim English close to call on Western Bulldogs future, Jake Stringer talks stagnate
Long linked with a move to Victoria, this could finally be the year Nick Haynes moves on from GWS. We reveal two clubs who could be interested in luring the Giants defender south.
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GWS Giants’ gun defender Nick Haynes will explore a move home to Victoria next year as he struggles to break into the senior side.
Haynes, 32, is out of contract and could loom large for a club such as Carlton in the premiership window or North Melbourne which is keen to bolster its back line.
The veteran backman enjoyed a massive game in the VFL at the weekend gathering 39 touches and 12 marks in the win over Box Hill, showing he continues to play at a high level.
But the strength of the GWS back line means he is open to assessing other opportunities and could switch colours at season’s end on a significantly-reduced deal.
He has played seven games this year including his last appearance in Round 15.
Haynes has been on about $1 million a season over the past two years as part of a heavily back-ended deal but he could play for average money next season at a Victorian club.
The Giants would keep him for next season if he was keen to stay.
ENGLISH CLOSE TO CALL ON BULLDOGS FUTURE
Western Bulldogs’ free agent Tim English could make a decision on his future over the next fortnight as the club makes a surge for a top-four spot.
English is set to meet with manager Andrew McDougall to discuss his options at Western Bulldogs and West Coast following some improved form.
The Dogs remain confident the big man will stay at the kennel and have tabled a lucrative five-year contract to keep one of the best ruckmen in the game.
English has been in no hurry to decide his next move and is guaranteed to lead the Dogs’ ruckmen for the next five years on at least $800,000 a season plus incentives.
The Dogs remain in the hunt for a top-four berth, and are optimistic about their prospects in the next few years, while the Eagles are in full-on rebuild mode.
It is that prospect of more team success in the prime part of his career which could sway English to stay in Victoria and help lead the Dogs’ premiership push.
English, who turns 27 this week, has a concussion history but has been remarkably durable playing 20 games this season.
‘WE WILL SEE’: STRINGER TALKS STAGNATE
Essendon matchwinner Jake Stringer has joked he might end up playing local footy at Talbot next year as his contract talks remain stagnant.
Played in a deep forward role on Sunday, Stringer was crucial to a one-point thrilling win over Fremantle, shaking off a lean patch of form to bag four goals and three coaches votes.
The Bombers have been happy to make Stringer, 30, wait all year for a new contract and he has remained steadfast he wants to play at the club again next year.
With potentially just three games left in Essendon’s season, given the club sits ninth on the ladder heading into round 22, Stringer’s lack of a contract has carried on, but he is not due to be a free agent at season’s end.
“I might be going back to Talbot (in the Maryborough Castlemaine football league) and having a run around,” Stringer joked.
“I am sure it will take care of itself but we will see.”
Stringer said he was comfortable with his contract status dragging into August.
“It’s part of the game, you just take it week to week,” he said.
“I am just focused on making sure I perform for the boys and play my best for the boys and the supporters of the club.”
The explosive mid-forward has now kicked at least four goals in a game four times this season, plus two bags of three.
He only needs four goals in the final three rounds of the home-and-away season to pass his Essendon best of 41, which he kicked in 2021.
Among forwards who aren’t genuine talls, only Jake Waterman (48 goals), Bailey Fritsch (39) and Kyle Langford (39) have kicked more goals than Stringer’s 38, which is tied with Tyson Stengle.
The 209-gamer was essentially locked in at full-forward for the whole game against the Dockers and kept his side in the hunt in the first three quarters, when the visitors threatened to run away with the game.
He also committed to the defensive side of the contest, laying 10 tackles for the first time in his career.
Stringer said the move forward came from head coach Brad Scott, who stationed he and Jade Gresham close to goal, with the pair combining for seven majors.
“Scotty wanted me to play deep forward, me and Jade Gresham,” Stringer said.
“We just played deep forward the whole game. I thought we both had our pressure and executed in front of goal really well.”
AFL GAMES KEY TO BULLDOG’S FUTURE
Western Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis says more AFL opportunity is all he is after as his management engages in talks over a new deal beyond this year.
Khamis chose to accept a one-year contract to remain at Whitten Oval this season, after attracting some rival interest during the trade period last October.
The former key forward played only one AFL game in 2023, but has thrived since making a return to defence this season and has featured in 15 matches for the improving Bulldogs.
“We’re just working that through at the moment,” Khamis said when asked how contract negotiations were tracking.
“As long as senior opportunity is there, that’s all I’m really searching for.”
Originally a Category B rookie selection in 2018, Khamis has been used at both ends of the ground across his six seasons at the Bulldogs and kicked 41 goals from 18 VFL games last year.
However, he is now settled in a new-look Bulldogs backline alongside Liam Jones and Rory Lobb after coach Luke Beveridge identified an opportunity there during pre-season.
“We had a chat and he thought there’s spots up for grabs in the backline in 2024,” Khamis said.
“So as long as you work hard and in good form, then you put your hand up for selection.
“The energy and connection in the backline at the moment is pretty strong and I think it just grows every week. Everyone has to trust in each other to play hard and trust in each other to stick to the system and I think it’s really showing out there.”
Khamis has averaged 9.9 disposals, 2.7 intercept marks and 3.9 spoils at AFL level this season.
The Bulldogs have surged into the top-eight on the back of four-straight straight wins and will be favoured to continue that streak against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
“The boys feel really good, really confident in our game style and the way we want to play,” Khamis said.
“Everyone’s just playing their part and we’re not relying on anyone to have spectacular games. At the end of the day, that will hold us in good stead to win more footy games, which we are at the moment.”
RAYNER SET FOR BIG PAYDAY AFTER STUNNING FORM
Cam Rayner’s most consistent stretch of form across his seven-season AFL career looks like culminating in a big payday as the Brisbane Lions prepare to take the 24-year-old off next year’s free agency market.
The one-time No. 1 draft pick has had a dominant season of the 2024 season and with one more year to run on his contract, the Lions are already in tentative discussions about locking him away into the future.
Brisbane has won its past nine games and Rayner has kicked one or more in each of those games, helping to put the Lions right back in the premiership frame after a disastrous start to the season.
The Herald Sun understands new deals for Rayner and Lions co-captain Harris Andrews – who both come out of contract at the end of 2025 – will become post-season priorities for the Lions.
Both should be locked away before the opening round of next season.
Brisbane has worked diligently to ensure most of its big contract work is already done for next year, including locking away key players including Hugh McCluggage, Charlie Cameron and Jarrod Berry.
Veterans Dayne Zorko and Ryan Lester are set to play on into 2025, while injured forward Lincoln McCarthy was handed a one-year deal shortly after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Rayner is finally starting to realise his potential this season with coach Chris Fagan giving him a licence to attend stoppages. He is not 25 until October and if he can maintain his current form, he looms as one of the Lions’ key weapons for the rest of the decade.
Andrews, 27, is also in line for a bumper extension which should be inked before the start of next season. He remains one of the Lions’ most important leaders and a new deal would likely see him remain a Brisbane player for life.
CAMERON WANTS SIDEY TO STAY SIDE BY SIDE
Darcy Cameron has backed his premiership teammate Steele Sidebottom to play on for a 17th AFL season next year, saying he and fellow veterans Scott Pendlebury and Jeremy Howe were still playing a massive part in Collingwood’s push for success.
Pendlebury, 36, already has a contract to play on into 2025, while Howe, 34, has hit a trigger to ensure he will play on for at least one more season next year.
Sidebottom, 33, who kicked the match-winning goal in last year’s grand final, is keen to play on next year, but has yet to be guaranteed a contract to play on, despite playing 19 games this year to take his tally to 328.
But Cameron says the trio have all played well enough to go around again, given their form.
“You look at the way Howey is defending at the moment and the way Sidey (Sidebottom) always runs his patterns … they are still three of the best players in the team at times,” Cameron said. “They are the most reliable players. You can just count on them at all times.”
He said with a smile: “I might as well do their contract negotiations now. I’d love to see them play on. What they bring to the club in terms of knowledge of the game and leadership is incredible. They are everyone’s best mates at the club.”
Originally published as AFL trade news: Tim English close to call on Western Bulldogs future, Jake Stringer talks stagnate
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