Essendon is set to miss out on a forward trade target – but they’ve got a bigger fish in mind.
Plus Sydney’s concession about Lance Franklin’s unsure future.
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ROO SET TO RE-SIGN, BOMBERS PLOT RAID OF BLUES GUN INSTEAD
Cam Zurhaar is expected to re-sign with North Melbourne leaving Essendon in need of a new forward target, and Carlton’s Harry McKay could be that man.
The Bombers are loaded with salary cap space and were hoping to land the exciting Zurhaar, but with Alastair Clarkson now on board at Arden Street, the 24-year-old is set to recommit.
A two-year deal could be confirmed in the coming days. Zurhaar, a 2017 rookie draft pick, has kicked 30-plus goals in each of the last two seasons as the Roos earned back-to-back wooden spoons.
The Herald Sun reports both the Bombers and Kangaroos have the cash to lure 2021 Coleman medallist McKay from the Blues, who have a potential cap-squeeze in the coming years with plenty of young talent needing new contracts.
McKay is due to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, as was teammate Charlie Curnow before he recommitted on a six-year deal ahead of Round 23.
Carlton believe they will be able to convince McKay to stay – both on financial grounds, and because of how he feels about the club – but a massive rival offer could make things interesting.
SWANS CONCEDE BUDDY’S FUTURE MAY BE ELSEWHERE
Sydney will do “whatever is best” for Lance Franklin this off-season, whether that means keeping him, allowing him to go elsewhere or saying goodbye as he hangs up the boots.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported Swans chairman Andrew Pridham was describing the chances of Franklin moving to a third AFL club as “unlikely”, but admitted it was a live option.
Franklin and the Swans parked contract talks in recent months, after the club felt they were very close to locking in the legendary forward on a new deal, with his salary remaining a sticking point.
“Sydney has conceded for the first time that he might play on elsewhere at a club that is not Sydney,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s coverage of Sydney-Melbourne.
“And according to the Swans, it’s whatever is best for Lance, they absolutely will be happy to acquiesce in regards to a trade.
“I spoke with Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham, this could be his last game at the MCG in football – he says everyone is on board with the decision to park those contract talks.
“We’d like him to play on, if we can find a way for that to happen we will, but ultimately he has to make that decision.
“On the prospect of him playing at a third club, potentially a club like Brisbane, he said look it’s unlikely, but I’ve been around long enough to know you never quite know.
“Whatever we do we support him – the greatest showman tag is a pretty good one, whenever he turns it on, no-one can stop him.”
TRADE NOW ‘VERY LIKELY’ FOR PREMIERSHIP EAGLE
Port Adelaide is shaping as the “very likely” new home for Junior Rioli, reports Nine Adelaide’s Corey Norris.
Rioli is torn between remaining at West Coast, given his time already spent at the club and their help through his drugs ban, or leaving for the Power on a larger contract.
He would need to request a trade as he is not a free agent, but Rioli will reportedly head to Adelaide for a medical next week, and the Eagles’ willingness to match the offer on the table from Port Adelaide is expected to determine his future.
“The Power have slapped a multi-year offer in front of him, one that’s very, very attractive,” Norris said on Nine News.
“And if West Coast doesn’t match it, and it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that they will, then the out-of-contract 27-year-old is almost certain to request a trade to the Power.
“It’s understood Rioli is very open to moving back to Adelaide where he was drafted from back in 2016, when he was playing with Glenelg.
“The Power are desperate to replenish their small forward stocks given that retirement of Robbie Gray, they believe Rioli can help fill that void.”
Port Adelaide holds pick 8 and then nothing until (currently) pick 52, which may make a trade more difficult.
Xavier Duursma flew into Perth on Friday but brushed off any speculation he was seeking a move to Western Australia, or even speaking with the WA clubs while there.
