Forward eyes fresh start, Pies 'hot favourite' for gun | Gettable

26. We've got plenty to come today.We're going to be looking at 40 names.One of our biggest ever walls of trades.Before we do that though, don't forget, if you do want to follow us on Instagram.

Perhaps if Brisbane wins a third premiership and he thinks that is enough, who knows, maybe that changes the view for both of those clubs.So I think that's where it sits for Lockie Neal at the moment.

That's where it sits for Lockie Neal.What about Ben King?

I expect Gold Coast to formally announce Ben King's departure as a free agent in the days after there.love at first sight for Ben King and the Hawks, but they're interested in the Gold Coast exodus and what the players would do up there.They've obviously had a few who've been weighing up their future, but Jed Walter turns down $6 million at Essendon to stay at the Suns.Bailey Humphrey this week locks in for an extra two years, kills off that conversation after the Suns made it clear they wanted him.starting to emerge as one of the biggest names in this year's trade period.So a number of clubs in the mix.

You've already probably got more on the board now, I'd say, as a player.I think his form's heading...Second best season in terms of goals.

Yeah.Collingwood will be searching for trade capital from elsewhere.And as you mentioned, the clock is ticking on his trade value.

And with that extra year, it might be closing the gap.But the certainty of Josh Fraser at the Blues now gives them an effect as well.So I think this is the lineball.

And I think it's a similar situation with Joel Amati up there as well, because he has the five -year deals on the table from both Sydney and Carlton.He's told interested clubs though all the way through the year that his priority would be to stay at the Swans if they could bridge the gap in terms of finances.But as you mentioned with Buku Kamis, it's similar with Joel Amati in the sense that Carlton now is such a much more appealing option than they were probably six months ago, or even three months ago.And Carlton's wild card, as I've said the whole way through this in the Joel Amati chase, is just how close he is with both Will Heywood and Ollie Florent.

Yeah, there's a financial gap still.between Sydney and Carlton's offer.But Carlton isn't putting forward the million dollar a year deals.They haven't existed throughout this whole year for Joel Amati.Nobody has done that at any stage.But there is still a gap.

He's still trying to get back to play some footy later in this final series.

Matt Rowe, free agent next year.Considered his options 12 months ago.Decided to stay on that two year deal.Nothing's going to happen this summer, clearly.

The Bulldogs are keen on trying to make something happen this off -season and they're not alone.There's been a lot of calls made about him and his being the Zach Butters storyline of 2027.It's Matt Rau.But that's for the Suns to worry about next year.aren't going there for Ridley.The idea of a fresh start is still present in his mind after another injury hit season.

Albeit different injury worries a couple of times.North Melbourne is having a look.His trade price is so hard to picture for me. I just don't know what Essendon would be open to doing or getting back from him.He's got three years to go on his deal as you say.He's Essendon's third best.He's one of the most strange contract storylines off this year and I've said this for a while now.

He has had a healthy two year offer on the table from North Melbourne for some time.He's been putting that off and I think he's looking at a fresh start elsewhere.Melbourne has been linked to him.They were big fans of him during the draft as all clubs were at the top end of that pool.It wasn't like he was a rocket to be picked where he was.Every club had him ranked where they end up taking him at North Melbourne.

They're the main club at the moment, the Dees, who have been linked to him.At this point I think it's more likely he is not at North Melbourne next year than him being there.I'm not sure it's a good call to move as a half forward is about to get easier at North Melbourne.

It's been so difficult through his first, what, four years in the AFL landscape.But as you mentioned, it does get a bit more easier now that the team starts playing well.And we saw good signs on the weekend as well.I'm with you.I'm keeping a very close eye on the D's for Zayn Dersma.

Alright, Luke Pedlar next.Essendon has interest in him.The Crows

Sam Switkowski, free agent at Fremantle, expecting him now to wait until the end of the season.I think he wants to stay at the Dockers if he continues playing football next year, but has interest from Victorian sides.But as I mentioned, I think he'd be willing to stay at Fremantle if he does want to play on.

Weighing a few things up, the Dockers obviously keen to keep him, has that two -year offer there.I don't see him playing anywhere else.

No.Jesse Hogan, the contract has been parked now until the end of the season.You mentioned Collingwood and Gold Coast among the sides that were taking a look a few weeks ago.

Yeah, Collingwood have been looking at him.The word is that they've spoken at some stage.Hogan still looking for a two -year deal, likely around that $600 ,000 a season mark.Hasn't played since round 15 and the Giants prioritised the deal for Max Krasuski ahead of him.So, as we're in round 26, this will be part of the re -jig of this list that we've been speaking about.

Yep.Roel Marshall, contractor for next year, tried to get to Geelong last year, expecting him to try again.this time around.

Yeah, still got to watch in the caps with Ron Marshall and don't know what it takes, how it looks and how it rolls or anything like that.But if I'm St Kilda, I'm more open to it this time around as well and seeing what it looks like from a trade perspective.Jordan Sweet was the latest.

Yeah, in talks on a two -year deal to stay at Port Adelaide.That's been moving slowly, but there's still confidence that he does stay at the football club.Don't expect him to jump on the ruck merry -go -round.Guy Simpkin tried his luck last year, couldn't get out.I've actually been really impressed with the season he's had at the Kangas.Pushed out to a wing, lost the captaincy, still got that contract.

through until 2029.

Yeah, he's gone under the radar, Zach Merritt and others, but he has probably gone under the radar as being in the same basket.Wanted to get to Collingwood, but no trade was agreed.We can say today that Jive Simpkins is not going to pursue a move at the end of this season, so he's reinforced that to North recently.He's playing some good footy, as you say.Seen the growth in the team this year as well.wants to be in on that.

So that's where that one stands.Will McLaughlin is a different story though.Yes.Because this is a player who doesn't have 10 years under his belt like Jai Simken.He only has a couple.He's a mid -season draft pick and out of contract at the Lions and considering his future, how does he break into that side and what are the other options?

He's another club we can add to the list today in terms of the clubs looking at Will McLaughlin and in the sweepstakes there for him.That is the crunch of being a great team, which Brisbane are.The players on the fringes have to make these decisions and they're desperate to keep him, but he's got a big decision coming up.

35 goals from 11 games in the VFL this year just shows how good he's been at that level.Hayden McLean contracted for next year, but his decision is so intrinsically linked with that man up there, Joel Amati, because if he stays, I think he goes.If he goes, I think he stays.Been in the side.Is that how you read it as well at the moment?

Yeah, absolutely.I think if you're the Swans as well, You need to keep one of them and if you don't keep Joel Amati then you don't let Hayden McLean go.

All right, Kieran Briggs.Our man Josh Gabalich reporting that he's got a four -year deal on the table at Richmond to leave as an unrestricted free agent.I reckon we mentioned about three months ago that we didn't see him, his future being at the Giants next year.Looks like he's got one foot in the door of the Tigers at the moment, I think.

Yeah, I think it's even two feet.So I reckon that's one of the locks heading into the free agency period.Bit uncertain though about where it sits for Oli Hollands.Some interest from North Melbourne.No offer yet from Collingwood.Watched him play VFL on the weekend.

Been out of the side largely under Josh Fraser since he came in.So is the writing on the wall there?Is that a warning sign?

I'm starting to think just given the lack of movement on the contract talks that he'll be at another football club in 2027.Playing well at VFL of years at Adelaide.Seems like he's North Melbourne's man though in that key defender hunt.The price surely goes up though if Jordan Butts leaves.Because they'll need cover you'd have to think.

I mean, we've been big on this since July.he was their guy and that Alistair Clarkson had spoken to him.That interest is absolutely real.I think the offer could be at that five -year length, close to $4 million.The future first -round pick that we discussed last week as well is a fair offer, I think, for a contracted player.Now, whether that moves Adelaide to do it or not, we wait to see.

But Adelaide will also have to weigh up.As you said, he's got a couple of years left to go on decent money, pretty good money.Do you want that money sitting in your sandfill too?or how much do you need in reserve from the key defender movement.So a lot to play out there.Yeah, Bombers have some interest in him.

Cats have signed a stack of players recently and he wasn't one of them.Played nine games.Remember the list manager at the Bombers, Matt Roser, played with Jack Bowes at the Suns.So they're looking for some solid citizens there.

Darcy Parish contracted through until 2029 but out of that S inside and is clearly looking at options elsewhere.

Yeah, had an injury the last couple of weeks.Clubs are aware that he would be open to a move.Three years left to go on his deal remaining at the Bombers.Is he in that bracket of midfielders though that has to wait on the ripple effect from Zach Butters, Zach Bailey and what happens after that and who goes chasing?But we've seen midfielders move late in trade periods.Jack Steele would be late.

Alright, what about Zach Bailey there?And that's where we'll find today our Telstra Player Tracker with Zach Bailey.Because there's a bit going on with Zach at the moment.So we'll have a look through his career and how it's all looked for him.So he started out, he was the number 15 pick in 2017, the same year they brought in Kamarainer, Brandon Starcevich and Jack Payne.

Can I just say, one of Steve Canile's greatest hits.Yes.Great selection, great pick.

He was a great pick out of the Northern Territory Players Football of the Allies.Made his debut in Round 4 the following year.Signed a two -year deal, then took off the medal in 2022.That's when he started taking really good strides.That was about 12 months after he kicked that goal after the siren to be in the top 10.which put his name on the map.

Then in pre -season 2023, with a year still to go on his deal, he signed a three -year contract extension, taking him through until 2026, which is where we find him now.Dual premiership player, 24 -25.Round one, I reckon it was the first episode of the year this season, Kel.You revealed that Adelaide had a big offer on the table for him.Seven years, $10 million.Brisbane was at $6 million.

They've gone to $7 million.It's closed the gap slightly.I'm still torn on where he plays his football next year.

This has been Lion ball all year.I've never deviated from that view.As you said, you reported several weeks ago about the Lions increasing their offer to seven years.From a money point of view, the gap is still real though.So there was the view that he was close to signing.That was about six weeks ago.

I didn't share that view then.The Crows have been all in on him.Brisbane is desperate to keep him.It's been interesting seeing the The heartstrings of the Lions have tried to pull publicly in terms of comments from the footy boss and the coach and his teammates and whether that will shape his call.I think this one is still alive and we might not get a call now until the end of the year in the Lions season.

Don't think we will there.Mitch Georgiades, you revealed last night that he's about to sign a two -year extension on top of the year he has to go.

They're going to be losing Zach Butters, his housemate, but to get his contract and commitment through to the end of 2029, he was an unrestricted free agent.He was going to get some big, big, big mega offers from West Coast and also Victorian clubs had already signalled their interest in him.But for him to commit, He's a huge filler for Port Adelaide and Josh Carr, so well done to the power there.Charlie Ballard, he's a South Australian who might be on the radar of Port Adelaide, might be on the radar of Adelaide.He's left on his contract, so any move would need Gold Coast agreeance.Essendon wants to get in on the action for Ballard, but I doubt he looks there.

The Western Bulldogs have a level of interest as well in Adelaide, but he obviously doesn't.to play and play regularly.And the question, like we spoke about Nick Murray, is if he's not going to play at AFL level, how much money do you want sitting in your VFL?And he's still on a healthy deal.So ultimately that is what it will come down to.

Alright, we've just ticked over the half.We're about to get though to Toby Green.To be or not to be for Toby?

That is the question.the greatest ever giant weighs his call.We'll get to that in a second.So some big decisions coming up and his is one of them.We'll get to him in a second.Nathan O'Driscoll, where does it sit?

In talks with Freemantle on a two -year deal that will take him through to free agency but those discussions have been moving slowly with the Dockers.I think a few clubs, Western Bulldogs included, have asked the question and are just waiting to see.

Well this could be the last game of what's been an excellent Essendon career on Sunday for Zach Merritt.He probably wins his seventh best and fairest at the end of this year now as well.He still wants to get to the Hawks.That's been his priority since he opted against signing that contract extension earlier this year.My understanding is the Hawks offer is at least four years for him.So it'll be around what that trade looks like.

But I don't think whoever the coach is at Essendon will shape what this call will be for Zach Merritt.

Darcy Byrne -Jones still not signed beyond this season.

talks are ongoing there so that'll see him play on for 2027.Unrestricted free agent as it stands but that'll tick over.

That's Bailey McDonald.Uncontracted Hawthorne.11 games this season.Had a bit of a breakout year for the side.

Has options.So Hawthorne has a two -year offer in front of him.I reported a few weeks ago on Inside Trading that Melbourne has their sights on him as well.He's on the Melbourne shopping list.There's a lot of them.This is a busy shopping list for the D's this year.

They're going shopping and they have the appeal to rivals at the moment.That's where it's a different story 12 months on and things can change.Sing when you're kinging.They are winning and then they are kinging.So well done for being in the mix.Albany is where it fits for him.

Sam Marshall.Don't get the sense he'll be at Brisbane next year now.Only played the two games at AFL level this season.St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs have been among the clubs sniffing around there.

Yeah.Hasn't met with any rivals yet.Has played some strong VFL footy but been overlooked.for all of the year basically since that grand final win.So he's out, it's just a matter of where.

to get him to stay at the Kangas.I think like Zane Durzma, he'll wait until after this week to make his call.Hasn't met with any clubs yet either as well, just been weighing up exactly what his future will look like.But he, alongside Zane Durzma at the Kangas, is a very interesting watch going into the post -season.Jake Riccardi has a multi -year deal on the table to stay at the Giants.So why hasn't he signed it yet?

That's my question.You tell me.Yeah, I don't know.Played the last three games in the VFL and the nine games this season.Battled some injury concerns.Wonder if he's looking around and waiting to see if he fits somewhere on that key forward carousel as well.

Big Artie Perkins.What do you make of him?

Well I think a one year extension in Essendon is the most likely outcome for him.Has been gettable through the year, in and out of the team.I think that would be the most likely option as it stands for him.Artie Jones, another player the Bombers have interest in.They have an offer there in front of him.We spoke about Brisbane's interest in him throwing around what he does.

And that call comes probably at the end of the year.

I still think there's a level of confidence at the Dogs that he re -signs.Level of confidence at the Dogs that this man gets to the football club next year as well.That's Jordan Butts.Has the four -year offer on the table from Adelaide.Five -year offer from the Western Bulldogs.He's heading to the kennel, I think, as an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

Scott Pendlebury.

This is such an interesting watch.I mean, there's been rival interest in him as an option to go on next year for months.Nah, I like Scott.I like Scott.

His dad's confused.You've confused his dad.

That's OK.But that interest is real and genuine and been real all the way through.The real question is whether he takes it up.So Gold Coast has legitimate interest in him as did Eston.But he won't do that.I doubt he'd consider any Victorian club.

I think the ideal scenario would be to play on at Collingwood.Yeah.But yet to see an offer there from the Pies.So pretty delicate.Obviously one of the greatest players of all time.These things can play out but looking forward to seeing how it all plays out with him.

He's the oldest player at Collingwood, one of the youngest is Sam Swadling who is this week's Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee.29 disposals, 6 score involvements, 7 intercepts and 7 marks in that draw.against Hawthorne, he's really added a new element to that Collingwood midfielder.He links up well with Nick Dacos as well.

He's been awesome.Nick Dacos has spoken about him being a star of the future.Just on Scottie Pendlebury too, I did actually see him at the APS Grand Final on Saturday.It was great to see him there, but also Just to see the amount of people at this game.We won't get any vision of it in today's show.But check out the Phantom Form Guide which is up live now.

Some changes there this week of the top 25 draft players this year.But the atmosphere, the crowd, the amount of recruiters and clubs watching this game just gave some college vibes.So it was great to see and I'm sure that would have appealed to the US sport fanatic in Scotty.

Kyle Oman.Contracted for 2027, he's clearly going to have some significant interest as he enters that contract year.

This is one for 2027, but there's definitely a sense among Victorian clubs that Loman is gettable next year and will be one of the real contract stories off the season.This happens each time he comes out of contract as he's going to be close to an All -Australian player this year.And this is why, in a lot of ways, Brisbane hasn't moved too far on the Zach Bailey money.they know what's coming.There's a monster coming over the hill and it's called Kyle Oman and Logan Morris and you have to prepare for that.And also Will Ashcroft is on a deal of about $900 ,000 a year at the moment which has more years to come.

Now that's going to be one of the least valued contracts in a couple of years time.Is there anything he hasn't won?He's going to be worth 1 .5.

That's why I really consider his options Hawthorne and the Western Bulldogs back then were really into him but he ultimately opted to stay.Toby Green has the three -year offer to stay at the Giants or an offer to head to Geelong.From what I've been told he remains invested in all aspects of Greater Western Sydney and he has right through until this very week.There's still a level of I don't know if it's confidence or hope that he stays at the Giants, but clearly there's that pull back to Victoria and to that Geelong region.

Yeah, I just hope, like, as an industry, we could get to a point where, in these scenarios, if he was departing, he could tell them in the last week, and we could celebrate him as the greatest Giant ever.Now, I'm not saying he's definitely going.He's got to weigh this up.I think he's done a masterful job of making this kick down the road and kick the can down the road to the point where nobody's really talking about the captain, the best player ever at that football club, now being at the end of the season, undecided about what he does but he's obviously got a big call to make.I'd love to see him stay there but I think also you've got to do what you've got to do and he's done his time there too so he's got the right to make a decision.

I'm torn on where that one sits.

Now it's about where his next game will be.I've said for a number of weeks that Geelong is strongly placed in this race, and it's hard to argue against their stability and success over a long period of time, but that hasn't of course stopped Richmond, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood continuing to come very hard at him.Geelong and the Dogs have been the two all along when we started talking about Zach Butters 18 months ago, so it's not as if the Cats are a new option.They've always been there.The dogs have been losing some hope in recent times.So let's wait and see how it plays out.

It's going to be a fascinating watch over the next couple of weeks for Zach Butters, as it will be for a lot of those 40 names that we've just had on the board.Plenty still to come.on AFL .com .au.Big thanks to Telstra.

Don't forget, as Cal mentioned before, the Phantom Form Guide is live on AFL .com .au.

You can go and check that out now.

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