The AFL business landscape is heating up and then some.
We’ve hit fever pitch in recent weeks as some of football’s biggest names have been linked with moves.
Commentator Dwayne Russell went so far as to predict that this trade and free agency period could be “the greatest summer of all time.”
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“Will there be a bigger (trading) carousel than we’ve ever seen?” Russell put AFL Nation earlier this month.
And with so much intrigue for this year’s commercial period, foxfooty.com.au has deepenedthe current state of the game featuring the game’s biggest stars.
Let’s start with some of the moves that seem most likely.
They don’t come much bigger than reports in the last month linking the Demons star Luke Jackson (non-free agent) at Fremantle.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph has reported on Fox Footy that the Dockers are “extremely confident” of landing Jackson as Melbourne “lose hope” of keeping the former Pick 3.
Ralph revealed that the 20-year-old West Australian has even told those close to him that he wants to be a Docker, although he has yet to make up his mind for sure, with the Eagles also in the mix but looking less likely .
Another impetus for the move is that in March of this year, Jackson bought a $1.74 million home in the Washington suburb of Shelley, not far from where he grew up. But of course Western Bulldogs star and WA native Tim English bought property in the Fremantle area late last year amid speculation about his future before re-committing to Whitten Oval .
It’s believed Jackson could earn close to $1 million on his next contract, while the Demons are unlikely to match rival offers but could still table a competitive deal.
Will Jackson seek a trade to WA? (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
If Jackson does indeed request a trade to Freo, Melbourne will certainly ask for a hefty trade in return.
And the trickle-down effect of the Dockers potentially acquiring Jackson for such a lucrative sum is that it could force others to be turned down, including Rory Lobb (outside the contract at the end of 2024), Griffin Logue, Blake Acres (both not FA), Joel Hamling (out of the contract at the end of 2023) i Connor Blakely (unrestricted free agent).
Lobb, who is in the midst of a career-best season with 30 goals in 16 games, has been strongly linked with the Bulldogs on a four-year deal to provide the club with another strong inside-50 scoring target.
Meanwhile, a number of Victorian clubs in need of key position stock have been linked with Logue, and the Acres management have been shopping him around from their rivals in the hope of securing a better deal.
The other big name demon facing an uncertain future is Angus Brayshaw (restricted free agent).
Brayshaw, who has taken on a more prominent role in Melbourne this season at halfback, has averaged 24.7 disposals and 8.4 points per game.
Geelong, Carlton and Fremantle, where younger brother Andrew plays, are among the clubs believed to be interested in the 26-year-old, who said CODE when asked if he would like to stay as a Demon next year: “I bet you would like to know. I am conscious of not giving the starter to everyone. But I love the club, I love my team-mates. That it’s something that will take care of itself.”
Things were further complicated on Thursday night when it was revealed Brayshaw had met Essendon coach Ben Rutten and head of football Josh Mahoney.
However, it seems highly unlikely that both Brayshaw and Jackson will leave.
The Bombers are also said to be interested in an off-contract small forward Toby Bedfordoften benched for Melbourne this year but impressing observers, having played just two games in his first three AFL seasons.
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End of Port Adelaide Karl Amon (UFA) is another name constantly cropping up in trade talks this season amid interest from a number of Victorian clubs including the Saints, Demons, Blues and Hawks, while the latter recently withdrew from the race.
It is believed the 26-year-old could field offers worth around $650,000 a season over five years, with Hawthorn the current favorites for his services.
Power Football boss Chris Davies even admitted in an interview with SEN last month how “the longer” Amon remains unsigned beyond 2022, the “less likely” he will be to stay at Alberton.
Then there is the former Blues defender Liam Joneswho has now met with the Western Bulldogs and Essendon as the 31-year-old weighs a number of options to return to the competition in 2023.
Jones sensationally retired last November because of the league’s vaccine mandate, a mandate that was lifted this month.
Carlton is not expected to re-select Jones but will likely seek compensation if he plays for another club next year given the circumstances of his exit.
Another expected move is the Lions’ key forward And McStay (UFA) joining Collingwood on a five-year, $3 million deal.
The 27-year-old’s price has come under review because McStay has never scored more than 28 goals in a season, despite playing as a defender for key stretches of his career.
In order to land McStay, the Magpies may have to drop his salary included Jordan De Goey (FRG) and Brodie Grundy‘s$5 million contract for five more seasons.
Rival clubs are circling De Goey (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
De Goey’s future at Collingwood looks less certain amid reports his management are shopping him to rival clubs as Geelong and St Kilda circle after the Pies withdrew their contract offer – a two-year deal with a trigger for to two more years, for a total of 3.2 million dollars. for his exploits in Bali.
The 26-year-old has played just one game since being banned for the overseas incident, with reporter Sam McClure revealing this week that he is “unlikely” to remain in black and white.
“I’d be shocked and surprised if Jordan De Goey doesn’t play for either Geelong or St Kilda next year,” McClure told Channel 9. Footy Classified.
Talk of a Grundy trade has intensified in recent weeks after the Magpies have won 9 of the 11 games he has missed with a knee injury, as Darcy Cameron has emerged into the ruck number one role.
Reports this week suggested rivals were told Grundy was “highly attainable” (if the right deal comes through) at the end of the season, although complicating any move is his monstrous salary.
Would Collingwood really be willing to pay part of his salary to play for another club after they already do with Adam Treloar at the Western Bulldogs?
There have been separate reports that Collingwood could explore a mega deal with GWS for Grundy, while their coach even met with Giants football boss Jason McCartney this week.
It comes amid Magpies interest in the Giants trio Team Taranto, Tanner Bruhn i Bobby Hill (not all FA).
GWS are shaping up to be an interesting watch this trade period amid salary cap pressure at the club, with reporter Tom Browne revealing they need to clear more than $1 million off their books.
As well as Collingwood, Richmond, Geelong and Essendon have been linked with the 24-year-old Taranto.
Taranto could be on the move (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
in the meantime Jacob Hopper, who is contracted until the end of 2023, is also being courted by rivals including the Cats, Tigers and Crows.
Hopper is expected to be more likely to be dealt if Taranto re-signs with the Giants, with at least one of the two midfield stars apparently being forced out of the club.
However, on Thursday night, McClure reported that both could go, along with Hill and Bruhn in another Giants “exodus”, with the club set to undergo a bit of a “reset”.
If both Taranto and Hopper leave, these are two young, armed infielders worth a first-round pick on the market, which makes things pretty interesting.
Then there are the whispers that it might really shake things up
What started as football’s biggest rumor has gained serious traction, with this Dustin Martin could look to move away from Tigerland at the end of the season to join Sydney despite being contracted to Punt Road for two more seasons for a total of $2.4 million.
It comes after the 31-year-old earlier this year personally said goodbye to Richmond as he coped with the death of his father, Shane.
While GWS have also been touted as a landing spot, the Swans are seen as the most likely destination if the three-time Norm Smith medalist requests a switch.
However, Sydney general manager Tom Harley has twice downplayed interest in the Tigers superstar, insisting there have been “no discussions with Dustin”.
And complicating any trade is that both NSW clubs already face salary cap pressure and would be hard-pressed to fit one of the game’s highest-paid players onto their books without making other significant moves.
Speaking of massive names, the Swans superstar Lance Franklin (RFA) has been linked with a shock move himself amid reports he was frustrated by a low-ball contract offer from the club worth around $500,000 a season.
Franklin is nearing the end of his historic contract (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
The 35-year-old, who is nearing the end of his mega nine-year, $10 million deal with the Swans, is looking at a contract worth around $700,000.
It comes despite a separate report that Franklin was “bewildered” by such speculation over his next contract, while Harley said he is “not concerned” that the champion striker remains unsigned while denying the club are pooling funds to lure Martin .
Although clearly no longer the player he once was, Franklin has…