Moneyball: All the latest trade news and whispers from across the AFL

See the latest on the futures of Jack Gunston, Luke Breust and Sam Frost as the Hawks close in on re-signing an Irishman on a long-term deal.

James Sicily and Luke Breust of the Hawks during the 2024 AFL Round 11 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on May 26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawthorn is keen for premiership veterans Luke Breust and Jack Gunston to go on next year as the club makes 198cm midfielder Conor Nash its next priority signing.

The Hawks this week secured swingman Blake Hardwick on a five-year deal after he had held off contract talks until the mid-year period to assess his form and the club’s future.

Hardwick’s signature is a key pillar of the club’s rebuild and Hawthorn’s recent resurgence will only help the club lock down Nash and eventually Changkuoth Jiath.

Jiath has only been back at AFL level for a month so will want to build form before entering more developed contract talks but wants to stay at Hawthorn.

Nash is also likely to secure a long-term contract of up to five years given his key role as a hard-tackling midfielder who has also helped out in the ruck this year.

Conor Nash is set to land a long-term deal. Picture: Michael Klein

The Irishman hits free agency this year but has had an association with the club since he was 16 and told the Herald Sun this year he was keen to stay.

Defender Jack Scrimshaw recently signed a three-year extension and full back Sam Frost has a games-based contract clause that will see him extending his stay until at least the end of 2025.

He had already played 13 games and has been in career-best form but even if he missed that trigger he would be re-signed.

Gunston is only on a one-year deal after returning from Brisbane for a single season but is keen to play on if the club will have him.

He and Breust have provided invaluable mentoring under coach Sam Mitchell but have also had strong performances at times.

Breust came back from groin issues and was used as the sub but has been so good in that role it has been a speciality position for him as he kicked two goals including the matchwinner against GWS.

Gunston has kicked 10 goals in the past three weeks and 14.14 for the season, finally finding his goalkicking radar after 4.12 in his first six games.

Jack Gunston and the Hawks are keen to extend his contract. Picture: Michael Klein

A club with only Bruest, Gunston, Chad Wingard and Frost as 30-year-olds can easily afford to keep veterans on its list.

Hawthorn is strongly in the race for St Kilda free agent Josh Battle, who has been in no hurry to commit to the Saints.

He and his partner welcomed a baby daughter into the world in April but he will have decision time in coming months given the clamouring for his services.

St Kilda has Dougal Howard out of contract and battling another hamstring injury so will be desperate to retain key back Battle.

Hawthorn’s top-10 pick Denver Grainger-Barras is also out of contract but is back playing VFL after an early-season injury ahead of a decision on his future.

STENGLE GETTABLE

Rival clubs believe they can lure All-Australian forward Tyson Stengle out of Geelong for the right price.

Stengle, who is a free agent at the end of the season, is looking to land a big-money deal to set himself up for life with offers of between $800,000-$850,000 per year believed to have been floated.

Essendon and St Kilda are both cashed up and looking to improve their forward line with the silky skills of Stengle, an attractive proposition.

While the Cats remain confident he will stay at GMHBA Stadium, they won’t be countering any big offers and are likely to be at least $150,000 short, possibly more, than some of the numbers being bandied about.

Essendon and St Kilda are among the clubs brandishing big-money offers to premiership Cat Tyson Stengle. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The 25-year-old was one of the Cats best against Sydney last week, kicking three goals to take his season’s tally to 27 from 13 games.

Stengle was one of the fairytale stories of Geelong’s 2022 premiership victory having been on the AFL scrap heap after being traded from Richmond and then struggling with off-field issues during his two seasons at Adelaide.

The Cats plucked him out of the SANFL with the move a masterstroke as he put together an incredible season, kicking 53 goals and earning All-Australian selection.

He struggled last year with form and injury, only kicking 27 goals from 19 games.

Geelong is banking on the fact they gave Stengle a chance when no-one else would as a key leverage in negotiations but rivals believe cash might win over loyalty in this scenario.

“Don’t forget Geelong is his third club and there is a real sense that the highest bidder will get him,” one AFL list manager said.

Adding intrigue to the situation is Stengle’s unusual management set-up with his guardian, Anna Scullie, the wife of Eddie Betts, managing his affairs.

Tyson Stengle of the Cats is attracting big-money offers. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

She negotiated his one-year contract extension last season and while Scullie isn’t an official AFL accredited agent the league has granted her special permission to act on Stengle’s behalf.

While Betts and Stengle only played together for a season at Adelaide, the AFL legend is a close mentor and the Cats forward spends several nights a week at the family’s Melbourne home.

Interestingly, the laid-back country vibe of Geelong which has been a major attraction in luring players – like Jeremy Cameron – isn’t such an attractive part for Stengle who is believed to at times have been restless living in regional city.

A recent quote by Scullie raised eyebrows among clubs about this issue: “It would be ideal if he stays there,” she said. “He’s playing good footy with the team around him. We will likely go for a long-term deal. But we have to take into consideration that Geelong can be isolating.”

Stengle would be a perfect fit for Essendon who are looking to elevate into a premiership contender with their current small forward stocks relying on a combination of Matt Guelfi, Alwyn Davey and Jye Menzie.

St Kilda are also desperate to up its scoring power with Stengle the perfect foil alongside Max King and would be an upgrade from the current smalls like Dan Butler and Jack Higgins.

TWELVE STALWARTS IT’S TIME TO MAKE A CALL ON

Essendon is open to former captain Dyson Heppell playing on next year as a host of senior players across the league face big decision on their football future.

Heppell has turned back the clock with a superb year rating elite for his kicking and above average for his disposals, intercepts and intercept possessions for the Dons playing wing and half back.

Heppell has only just turned 32 and hasn’t missed a game leading into the bye, with the Dons loving his calm presence and leadership down back.

The Dons are yet to open any meaningful talks with Jake Stringer and both parties are in no hurry despite what shapes as a likely two-year deal.

Similarly they will wait to see how the back-end of the season unfolds with Heppell before striking a new deal but keen for him to explore the opportunity.

Heppell has had a revival this season. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

But it would surprise if he didn’t stay on, with coach Brad Scott telling the Herald Sun in the pre-season the club owed him a “debt of gratitude” for carrying the club through its darkest hour.

“His value to us on the field, but mostly off the field can’t be understated,” he said.

Decisions across the league on uncontracted senior players will come at the back end of the season but include:

• Dayne Zorko (Lions): He is 35 but it would be shocking if he didn’t go again given he has been re-tasked as a half back and ranked elite for disposals and pressure filling in for Keidean Coleman as a defensive general. Ryan Lester also ranks elite for intercept marks and will surely get another one-year deal.

• Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond): He has averaged only 11 possessions in his 12 games but continues to play a valuable role as a hard-running wingman so should get another contract.

• Dion Prestia (Richmond): Continues to battle calf and hamstring issues but in his six games so far he has been excellent when on the field, so it would surprise if the free agent didn’t get another one-year deal.

• Dylan Grimes (Richmond): The premiership hero continues to battle back issues after overcoming a wrist issue and has no return date so might be the next flag star to transition into retirement.

• Tom McDonald (Melbourne): He went into this season believing it could be his last but the Demons swingman has been excellent as Steven May and Jake Lever battle various ailments so has put himself in a strong position to win another one-year deal.

• Travis Boak (Port Adelaide): Turns 36 on August 1 and rates elite for scoreboard impact as a mid-forward and above average for pressure and disposals. He’s not an inside mid any more but averaging 3.8 tackles and 18 touches, he’s given himself strong claims to play on.

Boak still has a key role at the Power. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

• Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide): Dixon’s form has dropped away even as the club gives him regular rests so he will need to find form after going goalless in his last three contests including one possession against Carlton.

• Jack Gunston (Hawthorn): Gunston is keen to go on again if he can fill a role and he has bounced back in style after early VFL clashes, kicking four, three and three goals in the past three weeks.

• Luke Breust (Hawthorn): Has become Hawthorn’s super sub after battling groin issues, kicking two goals including the matchwinner against GWS. If he believes he can get through a pre-season unscathed he should win another year given his off-field mentoring role.

• Will Hoskin-Elliott (Collingwood): Lock him in for another year given he only turns 31 in September and continues to play a hugely versatile role as a half forward and half back. Returning from hamstring issues, he was a valuable contributor against Melbourne on King’s Birthday with 13 possessions and two goals.

• Todd Goldstein (Essendon): His stats don’t leap off the page and Essendon’s early-season midfield dominance has faded but a player who turns 36 on July 1 is at the very least ruck cover given Nick Bryan has rival suitors and Sam Draper’s body continues to let him down.

• Nick Haynes (GWS): The Giants utility is keen to play on given his body is in excellent nick but realises it might have to be at another club. Rivals would be crazy not to offer him a deal given he’s only 32.

NO GO ON YEO FOR KANGAS

West Coast is still yet to put an attractive contract in front of Elliot Yeo but he will not be moving to Arden Street.

North Melbourne’s list boss Brady Rawlings has not had one conversation about Yeo with his Perth-based management as he continues discussions with West Coast on a contact.

Yeo’s partner is pregnant and he has family reasons to want to stay in Perth but a move to Melbourne is still not out of the question if he cannot secure a satisfactory deal from the Eagles.

Rival clubs have offered three-year deals at excellent money, but West Coast’s offer is still underpriced.

A two-year deal on around $750,000 a season with a games-based clause for a third year might get the deal done at West Coast.

But the ball is in the Eagles’ court, which means the prospect of losing him only grows if they do not lift their offer.

Yeo won’t be going to the Kangaroos. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

SAINTS LOOK TO FEND OFF HAWKS

St Kilda remains confident it will fight off a big-money bid from Hawthorn to poach gun defender and star free agent Josh Battle.

Battle has emerged as one of Hawthorn’s top recruiting targets to bolster the back half after Sam Mitchell’s men last year missed out on Port Adelaide’s Esava Ratugolea and Bomber Ben McKay.

The Hawks have considerable room in their salary cap to secure mature-age talent after a hot run over the past five weeks, catapulting them back into finals contention.

But the Saints will make Battle, 25, a priority signing towards the end of the season after another strong season in the back half.

The Saints recently signed up Jack Sinclair and Callum Sinclair to contract extensions to help reward some of their most important players.

But Dougal Howard, Seb Ross, Zak Jones and Tim Membrey face uncertain futures.

The Hawks are coming hard for Josh Battle. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

LIONS LOOK TO LOCK UP ANOTHER

The pool of quality free agents continues to shrink alarmingly for rival suitors with Brisbane’s Jarrod Berry sure to be one of the next names taken off the board.

Brisbane has advanced talks with the Lions midfielder and wingman in recent weeks and is confident a deal is only weeks away.

The free agent has always wanted to stay at the Lions and the club is aware it might have to eventually hand him a deal as long as five seasons.

Last week Hugh McCluggage and Will Hayward re-signed at their existing clubs, with Brandon Parfitt keen to stay at Geelong and Conor Nash keen to remain at Hawthorn.

The Hawks’ new long-term deal with Blake Hardwick is the farthest advanced of their contract talks with 198ch mid Nash and dasher Changkuoth Jiath, who wants to prove his worth after returning from injury.

But clubs flush with cash don’t seem keen on Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English, which puts St Kilda’s Josh Battle among the most sought-after free agents.

Hawthorn is chasing him as his contract talks drift.

Ben Ainsworth is keen to stay at Gold Coast after being well paid across his career as a top 10 draft pick and his management has not sought out rival interest, which has to be a good sign for him staying despite Essendon’s interest.

Berry looks set to stay at the Lions. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

AN OFFER HE CAN’T REFUSE?

North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke stands to receive some of the biggest offers in the game’s history next year.

The star midfielder is out of contract next year when he is set to be targeted by every club in the competition as a restricted free agent.

The Kangaroos would be prepared to table Davies-Uniacke a lifetime deal to keep him in-line with bumper long-term deals for Nick Daicos (Collingwood), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants) and Clayton Oliver (Melbourne).

Last week Brisbane wingman Hugh McCluggage signed a seven-year contract worth more than $1 million a season.

However, rivals including St Kilda are expected to offer Davies-Uniacke about $15 million over 10 years to poach him out of Arden St.

The Kangaroos have the capacity to match a free agency bid, forcing rivals to stump up more for him in a trade.

The powerful ball-winner was ecstatic after helping spearhead North to its first win of the season over West Coast at the weekend.

Club staff have admired his loyalty to the Roos’ cause over difficult first half of his career.

Davies-Uniacke will be given some huge offers. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

CROWS CONFIDENT ON CURTIN

Adelaide’s top-10 pick Daniel Curtin is totally comfortable at his new home at the Crows as Matthew Nicks tries to build up his form as a running defender after an AFL debut as a key back.

Despite recent speculation WA-based Curtin is not homesick and is keen to establish a long-term career in Adelaide.

As a player who came into the system having played key back as well as midfield in his senior year, it was always going to be a challenge to find his niche as an AFL player.

Adelaide hoped he might be a first or second defender given his size at 197cm but after two AFL games where some of his defensive efforts were exposed he has returned to the SANFL.

Adelaide is trying to play him higher up the ground to get the ball into his hand as a superb ball user, aware he is likely to emerge as a third defender rather than miserly, stopping key back.

He only had 13 possessions against South Adelaide in his last outing but with a plan established for the way forward both player and club believe a return to the AFL is not far away.

Daniel Curtin isn’t going anywhere. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

YOUNG DOG NOT KEEN TO MOVE

The Bulldogs are confident Jedd Busslinger sees his future with the club despite not yet signing a contract extension.

The No. 13 draft pick in the 2022 national draft is one of the highest selections from that class who hasn’t yet signed a new deal past 2024.

But he continues to make improvement at VFL level and could even play this week after his best VFL game.

His exceptional VFL stats have been coloured by the fact he takes kick-outs but last week he had 14 intercept possessions and five intercept marks to match his high possession tallies.

WA boy Busslinger lives with Sam Darcy and is seen as happy at the Dogs as he makes continual improvement after a very limited pre-season in his first year at the club.

The Dogs are making clear that they don’t want to trade Rory Lobb despite his indifferent form but with Busslinger making strong gains they will again have key position depth.

Originally published as Moneyball: All the latest trade news and whispers from across the AFL