Trade latest: Libba shaping towards one-year deal, Max Holmes delay, disaster for Jiath

Changkuoth Jiath’s hamstring injury could hardly have come at a worse time for the out-of-contract defender, while Tom Liberatore is exploring a contract extension. JON RALPH has the latest.

Changkuoth Jiath’s hamstring injury could hardly have come at a worse time for the dashing defender. Picture: Michael Klein

New Western Bulldogs vice-captain Tom Liberatore’s reward for his remarkable consistency is likely to be a new one-year contract before the start of the season.

Liberatore’s talks are set to ramp up next week after another exceptional 2023 in which he again recorded a top-four best-and-fairest finish, this time runner-up to Marcus Bontempelli.

Liberatore’s wild days — and resulting contract impasses — are behind him and while the Dogs extractor only 31 he still has plenty of one-year contracts ahead of him.

The Dogs have already signed up Aaron Naughton on an eight-year deal, so Liberatore’s signature would continue that momentum.

This masthead reported last week Tim English was in no hurry to sign a new free agency deal, with Bailey Smith’s future set to be decided at year’s end.

So rewarding Liberatore makes sense given he has also found remarkable durability, having missed one two games in the past three seasons.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wants to stay at the Dogs but will be due a massive salary rise and might want to maximise his value by pushing talks back.

Max Holmes will hear out rivals who come searching for his signature in 2024. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

HOLMES FEELS AT HOME, BUT WILL MAKE CATS WAIT

Geelong’s Rising star Max Holmes is happy at Geelong, but also happy to delay talks as rivals knock down his door with offers of long-term contracts.

Holmes only signed his second contract in July of his second season so looks set to play out a significant chunk of the season without a new contract.

It goes without saying Geelong would love to secure him long-term before the season starts.

The unflappable Holmes has made no noises about leaving but given the likely timeline for his extension rivals will have all the time in the world to make pitches.

Holmes was overlooked for the 2022 premiership side despite making a full recovery from a neural hamstring issue but rebounded to play 21 games in his third season.

Despite his breakout year he didn’t finish top 10 in the best-and-fairest with Ollie Henry awarded the club’s best young player trophy.

So with the world at his feet Holmes will let the season unfold as he proves he has the “Judd-like traits” that Patrick Dangerfield predicted could make him the best player in the competition one day.

Changkuoth Jiath’s hamstring injury could hardly have come at a worse time for the dashing defender. Picture: Michael Klein

JIATH’S HAMMY HURTS CONTRACT TALKS

Changkuoth Jiath’s latest hamstring injury is horrible timing for a player keen to remain at Hawthorn but not yet in contract talks.

The exciting Jiath has been injury-prone with only 45 games in five seasons but at his best could be one of footy’s most explosive half backs.

He has not been in a hurry to re-sign given he hasn’t proved his worth and would have hoped a hot start to the season took care of his contract.

Instead he is battling his latest hamstring injury, so those talks will have to wait.

Hawthorn is supremely confident it will secure Jiath and free agent Conor Nash, but Nash’s status has rivals already clamouring to make bids for the 198cm midfielder.

He was spectacular in 2023 with a third-placing in the Peter Crimmins Medal and given his size he is a real point of difference as a mid.

The Irishman also averaged 4.7 clearances and 4.8 tackles to go with his 24 possessions a game and if he keeps up that form he’s every bit a $700,000 player as a free agent at only 25 years of age.

If he wanted to explore rival interest he would take his pick of rival clubs.

TIGERS RECRUITER MAY HEAD WEST

No wonder Richmond recruiting boss Matt Clarke is seen as the early favourite as West Coast’s new list boss given his impressive demeanour and strong resume.

Clarke has been at Richmond for 15 years and was instrumental in the club’s premiership build, and while the Tigers would love to keep him it would be a clear promotion given the chance to reinvent the Eagles.

Clarke has a strong reputation with early picks but also mid-season and summer selections, which West Coast will have to maximise to fast-track their rebuild.

The Tigers have often promoted their rising administrators to keep them at the club but Richmond has an excellent list boss in Blair Hartley, who splits the club’s football role with Tim Livingstone.

Player managers report that in an age of posturing and double-speak Clarke’s capacity to have strong but fair discussions stands out.

The Tigers have also mined West Australia with players like Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, Kamdyn McIntosh, Nathan Broad and Marlion Pickett, which cannot hurt his case.

Originally published as Trade latest: Libba shaping towards one-year deal, Max Holmes delay, disaster for Jiath