The race to land a breakout Docker is heating up, with one club tabling a monster deal. But there’s doubt over an Essendon superstar’s future after a twist in one club’s pursuit.
Here’s all the latest AFL Trade Whispers!
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SUNS SHY ON HEPPELL AS BOYS TRIP COULD PROVE KEY
The Gold Coast Suns’ interest in Bombers skipper Dyson Heppell is ‘fairly conservative’ and no official offer is in place for the 30-year-old veteran, according to Tom Browne of 7 News.
Heppell has been offered a one-year contract extension by Essendon, but could leave the club as an unrestricted free agent. The Suns have been linked to Heppell in recent months, with a two-year playing offer likely to be followed by a pathway into coaching.
But Tom Browne told Triple M: “I’m not certain there is an offer in place from the Suns. In fact, some sources indicate to me there isn’t an offer in place and are fairly conservative or dismissive even of their potential interest in Dyson Heppell.
“His position is he’ll need to come back to Essendon in a couple weeks and talk about the coaching situation and what’s going on.”
“It sounds more likely that he’ll stay at the Bombers but that won’t be resolved certainly until he returns from Spain,” he added.
A large group of Bombers players are heading to the European nation on an end-of-season trip, with his teammates certain to try and convince their veteran captain to remain at the struggling side.
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ACRES OF SPACE BETWEEN CARLTON AND FREO OFFERS
Fremantle winger Blake Acres is attracting plenty of suitors after a career-best year at the Dockers, and Carlton appear to be leading the chase for his signature.
Having joined the Dockers for the 2020 season from St Kilda, Acres was sensational this campaign despite suffering a torn hamstring in Round 13.
The Dockers are keen to keep him, with the 26-year-old reportedly offered a two-year deal valued between $200,000 and $300,000 per year, according to The West Australian.
The outlet reports Carlton have offered a three-year deal valued around $350,000 per year, and lead North Melbourne and Geelong in the race for a player who has flourished down the flanks this campaign.
The Dockers’ strong midfield stocks have given Fremantle a difficult balancing act over their future list – and Acres’ departure could clear the way for talented youngsters to gain more minutes.
SCOTT SET FOR FATHER-SON SWAP
North Melbourne winger Bailey Scott has been linked with a move to the Geelong Cats, four years after opting for the other side his father also represented.
The 22-year-old was selected by the Kangaroos in the 2018 Draft as a father-son pick, and has been a standout for the club this year, garnering a career-high 18 disposals per game.
The Herald Sun reports the 46-game rising star will reject a multi-year offer from North to move to Kardinia Park – the opposite direction father Robert Scott went after nine seasons at the Cats.
BLUES ‘ALL OVER’ CROW AS SCOUTING RAID REVEALED
21-year-old Crows defender Fisher McAsey is being sized up for a move to Carlton after being frozen out of the Adelaide squad.
The No. 6 pick in the 2019 Draft has not played for the senior side since 10 games at the start of 2020, but last year turned down reported interest from his native Victoria to sign a fresh two-year contract.
Despite having a year to run on that deal, the Crows 197cm prospect has been linked to a move to Carlton, who the Herald Sun reports have sent list boss Nick Austin to scout McAsey in the SANFL in recent weeks.
“Carlton, they’re all over Fischer McAsey,’ RSN’s Mark Stevens said recently. “I believe he’ll be at the Blues next year.
“They need some more key defensive stocks. I think they need quality defenders … they probably need one more.”
LUCK OF THE IRISH FOR JOYCE
Irishman Darragh Joyce could be handed an AFL lifeline after being delisted by St Kilda on Friday.
The 25-year-old managed three appearances for the Saints this season and 13 in total across six seasons at St Kilda, having made a code switch from hurling in 2016.
A strong season in the VFL wasn’t enough to convince the Saints to offer him a fresh contract, but AFL.com.au reports there is interest from around the competition in picking up the key defender as a delisted free agent.
