Liam Henry is likely to play for a Victorian club in 2024 as Melbourne eyes the Fremantle young gun in a bold bid to retain Kysaiah Pickett, reports The Herald Sun.
The West Australian Henry, who was taken three selections before Pick 12 and good friend Pickett in the 2019 AFL draft, fell out of favour at the Dockers last season, playing just seven games.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph revealed on Fox Footy last year Henry could’ve joined several departures at Fremantle that included Rory Lobb, Blake Acres and Griffin Logue as rival clubs circled the 21-year old, who’s out of contract at the end of the 2023 season, before he ultimately stayed put.
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However with Henry expected to be on the move later this year, the Demons are reportedly set to make a play for him to unite him with Pickett to help convince the livewire to re-sign with the club.
St Kilda is also seen as a suitor for Henry given new list boss Stephen Silvagni placed a bid on him while at Carlton in the 2019 draft before Fremantle matched with its Next Generation Academy link.
The report also states Melbourne is hoping to secure Pickett, 21, on an extension between three to five seasons and wants to kick off talks with him prior to Round 1.
The Age meanwhile reports the Demons will not be rushing Pickett to make a call on his future and that rival clubs’ list managers value the 2021 premiership player at around $600,000 per season.
Pickett, who was linked to Port Adelaide last trade period, is believed to be happy in Melbourne, but will be among the most in-demand stars that’s currently set to hit the market at the end of the season if an extension isn’t reached.
He’s coming off a career-best 41-goal campaign after booting 40 majors in 2021.
The Power currently don’t have a first-round pick to use this year following the Jason Horne-Francis trade. However should Pickett opt to depart the Demons, The Herald Sun reports he’d be more likely to land at WA, where he grew up, than South Australia, where he moved to and was drafted from.
Pickett also has more family in WA, while Fremantle – where good friend Luke Jackson was traded to this off-season – is among the clubs circling the small forward.
