Greater Western Sydney and an army of suitors remain in a holding pattern as they wait to discover swingman Harry Himmelberg’s playing plans.
Himmelberg is one of an exclusive group of restricted free agents still on the market, but AFL clubs are none the wiser on whether he will stay a Giant or consider what promises to be lucrative deals elsewhere.
Harry Himmelberg’s playing plans remain unclear as the Giants and other clubs wait for news.Credit: Getty Images
GWS football boss Jason McCartney will be able to match any opposition offer, as his club did with Jeremy Cameron three years ago before trading him to Geelong for an unprecedented three first-round draft picks.
Rival clubs with an interest in Himmelberg were taken aback when they read in another media outlet last week that he had met Richmond, who are being consistently linked to the 27-year-old.
But industry sources confirmed to Money Talks, on the condition of anonymity, that the meeting never took place. In fact, there is a level of frustration among interested parties at how little is known about Himmelberg’s intentions.
The 135-gamer has rounded into form in the past few weeks after a quiet start to the year as a key forward, following his eye-catching finish to last season as an intercepting weapon down back.
Saint De Koning?
St Kilda’s open pursuit of in-demand Carlton big man Tom De Koning continues to be a source of intrigue.
Rival recruiters who were at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday to watch the Young Guns series opener also spotted the Saints’ head of talent and acquisition, Graeme ‘Gubby’ Allan, locked in deep discussion with leading agent Paul Connors.
St Kilda are pursuing in-demand Carlton big man Tom De Koning.Credit: AFL Photos
De Koning switched to the powerful Connors Sports stable, where he is managed by Robbie D’Orazio, after his previous manager, former TLA Australia agent Nigel Carmody, left the industry two years ago.
That conversation may have had nothing to do with De Koning – and sources in list management, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Money Talks that Connors and D’Orazio typically tried not to get involved with the other’s clients.
Connors manages fellow Blues ruckman Marc Pittonet, whose two-year deal also expires at season’s end. There is still no clarity on Pittonet’s future either, which makes sense, given the De Koning situation.
Allan and St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni were among the interested spectators when De Koning played in the VFL a fortnight ago. Geelong, where De Koning’s brother Sam is a premiership defender, and Sydney are also expected to chase the 23-year-old’s signature.
De Koning, who has played 46 AFL games, sat out last week while in concussion protocol, and it will be a month since his last senior match if he is not selected for Carlton’s clash with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
The Saints previously enjoyed success with Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall as a ruck combination, and are clearly hoping the same would happen if they could pair Marshall with De Koning.
Mid-season draft picture muddied
Sunday’s opening game of the Young Guns series was supposed to shed light on who the top mid-season rookie draft contenders were but only confused it more.
Rain stayed away during the match but tumbled down beforehand, making conditions difficult for the game between the over-age Young Guns and their under-18 Vic Metro rivals at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Gippsland Power forward Ryan Maric, touted as a contender to go No. 1 in the mid-season draft, won only nine disposals and kicked 1.3, with his goal coming in the last quarter.
Ruckmen Clay Tucker and Flynn Riley combined for 30 hit-outs but had little influence away from stoppages, so will hope for drier weather for the second game at Ikon Park on Sunday.
One big man who did show some aerial prowess was ex-rower Archie May, who is playing for Richmond’s VFL team after not being exposed to the elite under-18 pathway. The 18-year-old remains a work in progress but is 199 centimetres and managed five shots on goal for a 1.4 return.
Out west, Claremont giant Jack Buller is set to return this weekend after a fortnight out with a corked calf that halted his tremendous start to the season.
Buller, 21, was a key defender in his teenage years and manned the likes of Ben King and Jack Lukosius in his draft year, but his switch into attack has transformed AFL clubs’ opinion of him.
Only five clubs – Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs – have a list vacancy, but others can create openings by placing an injured player on the inactive list or if someone retires.
The Eagles and Dockers have shown interest in Buller, with the ACL injury to last year’s top mid-season pick, Jai Culley, giving West Coast the chance to make a selection.
It is unclear whether the Hawks are keen on Buller, who is expected to be one of the first players taken.
Ryan Byrnes.Credit: AFL Photos
In-form Saint hopes for multi-year deal
St Kilda wingman Ryan Byrnes remains uncontracted beyond this season, but preliminary discussions between his management and Saints list boss Stephen Silvagni have started.
Byrnes was a strong contributor again in St Kilda’s defeat of North Melbourne on Sunday, continuing what shapes as a career-best season for him under new coach Ross Lyon. He has played all eight matches in 2023, averaging 20 disposals, seven contested possessions and four score involvements.
The hard-running 22-year-old quietly inked a one-year extension in late 2021 to take him through to the end of this season.
“I’m not really too focused on that at the moment. I’ll let them sort that out with my manager and obviously ‘SOS’ [Silvagni] as well [but] hopefully, it takes care of itself,” Byrnes told Money Talks.
“They’re the pros, so I’ll just keep trying to play some good footy. It’d be nice [to get two years], but we’ll see.”
Winged Eagle nears extension
West Coast premiership forward Jamie Cripps may not play again this season as he recovers from a broken ankle, but his future is in no doubt.
Cripps remains a wanted player despite the Eagles going through a transitional period and giving more opportunities to their promising youth.
The 31-year-old will be sidelined for the next three months – and possibly beyond – after surgery in April, but a source familiar with the situation but not authorised to discuss it publicly confirmed he was nearing a contract extension, likely for two more seasons.
Cripps played in West Coast’s 2018 grand final triumph over Collingwood, as well as their losing one against Hawthorn in 2015. He has kicked 272 goals in 219 matches.
Positional switch sparks Power free agent
Dylan Williams’ resurgence at Port Adelaide as a defender – after initially struggling to make his mark as a forward – is making him an interesting name to follow.
Williams was the 23rd pick in the 2019 draft, but managed just one match in his first three seasons before being delisted and redrafted as a rookie last year despite being contracted for 2023.
The decision to send the 21-year-old down back is proving a masterstroke, with the ex-Oakleigh Charger playing the past five games for the Power’s senior side, including a career-high 24 disposals and eight intercept possessions at the weekend.
Port Adelaide have not offered Williams a contract yet, and him being delisted last year means he is an unrestricted free agent, so Victorian clubs interested in bringing him home would not need to broker a trade.
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