Negotiations between Carlton and Tom De Koning are continuing as the Blues hope to broker a two-year deal that would take the 24-year-old through to free agency.
Out of contract Blues pair Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning played well against Port Adelaide.Credit: Getty Images
St Kilda, Geelong and Sydney have shown interest in the ruck/forward, but he remains in discussions with the club that drafted him at pick No.30 in 2017.
A source at each of those clubs, who wanted to remain anonymous to freely discuss list management decisions, said they were now expecting De Koning to stay put as the Blues show their capability and his potential roles within the line-up.
However, the interested clubs were potentially ready to make a deal if De Koning and Carlton fail to come to an agreement.
Blues sources are aware that other clubs may be prepared to offer him more money or a longer deal if they cannot reach agreement, but with a relatively tight salary cap they are not able to budge too far in the negotiations.
De Koning’s future at Carlton became cloudy after he lost his place in round six as Michael Voss tried a range of ruck combinations with Marc Pittonet, who had signed a four-year deal in May that tied him to the club until 2027.
De Koning won back his spot in round 11 after a stint in the VFL and has played well until the bye before a knee injury forced him to miss the wins against Hawthorn and Fremantle.
He returned against Port Adelaide and put in another solid performance in the ruck, attending 26 centre bounces for two clearances, which included a momentum-stopping tackle on Zak Butters midway through the third quarter. He earned two coaches’ votes.
The Blues have a tight salary cap but have several players coming out of contract including Mitch McGovern – who remains in limbo – as well as Caleb Marchbank, Jack Silvagni, Ed Curnow, David Cuningham, Sam Philp and Lachie Plowman.
Paddy Dow is likely to leave, with the Saints among the clubs expected to be interested, while the contracted Zac Fisher may head west for further opportunities after playing just one game since round seven. – Peter Ryan
Free agent Demon in demand
Melbourne premiership midfielder James Jordon’s free-agency status is making him an attractive target, with Sydney now among several clubs monitoring his performance as he comes out of contract, according to sources familiar with the issue who wished to remain anonymous.
Until recently the 22-year-old had been unable to cement a spot in Melbourne’s line-up this season, playing as a substitute on multiple occasions, but he has returned to the midfield recently with Clayton Oliver sidelined through injury.
He attended 20 centre bounces against the Brisbane Lions on Friday night and is also a good two-way runner who can play on the wing or in the middle.
James Jordon has become a reliable player at the Demons, with other clubs showing interested.Credit: AFL Photos
Jordon was part of the Demons’ 2021 premiership team as the medi sub but did not get onto the ground as Melbourne won by 74 points.
Under rules that year, the sub could only replace an injured player and Jordon, who served the role throughout that year’s finals, only saw game time in the preliminary final.
He played 22 games in 2022, but did not play in Melbourne’s finals campaign.
Essendon and the Gold Coast have also been linked with Jordon, who is happy at Melbourne but prefers at this stage of the season to concentrate on football rather than engage in serious talks with the Demons.
Jordon qualifies as a free agent after the Demons delisted him and put them on their rookie list at the end of 2020.
Sydney declined to comment. – Peter Ryan
A third club for Grundy?
Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy’s high-profile axing to the VFL could lead to the ex-Magpie requesting a trade to a third club, list management sources believe.
The dual All-Australian’s situation remains a source of fascination after news broke mid-last week of his impending omission, with some rivals bemused at the Demons’ wish for the 29-year-old to reinvent himself at this stage of his career.
Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy is in the VFL trying to improve his forward craft.Credit: AFL Photos
Melbourne want Grundy, who is contracted until 2027, to become more dangerous as a forward to make his ruck combination with captain Max Gawn more potent.
He kicked one goal playing exclusively as a forward in a VFL practice match against St Kilda at the weekend, saying afterwards he was committed to improving in attack. But opposition clubs who spoke to Money Talks think he will try to move on if he fails to break back into the senior side, or barely plays, for the rest of 2023.
Port Adelaide, Geelong and GWS were Grundy’s other suitors last year, with varying levels of interest, once it became obvious Collingwood wanted to move his huge contract off their books.
The Power are in the market for a ruckman despite having veteran Scott Lycett, Brynn Teakle, Sam Hayes and Dante Visentini on their list – and Grundy is originally from South Australia.
Port showed interest in Carlton’s Marc Pittonet before he re-signed, as well as Jordon Sweet of the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane’s Darcy Fort.
The Dees made the move for Grundy because premiership big man Luke Jackson wanted to play for Fremantle.
They have only 199-centimetre swingman Josh Schache and rookie-list pair Will Verrall and Kyah Farris-White as ruck options behind Gawn and Grundy. Ex-basketballer Farris-White is so raw he has spent most of the season playing for Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League. – Marc McGowan
Essendon have made a contract offer to restricted free agent Mason Redman.Credit: AFL Photos
Waiting game on Bomber
The two clubs in the race for star Essendon defender Mason Redman are still waiting for him to make a call, but football industry sources expect him to remain in the red and black.
It was widely reported that Adelaide made a long-term offer to Redman via his agent, Ben Williams, but sources familiar with the situation told Money Talks this was not the case. The Age has confirmed that Redman has an offer from the Bombers.
This masthead previously reported the Crows’ interest in the 25-year-old restricted free agent but that they were not super aggressive in their pursuit.
Redman would be an excellent addition to Adelaide’s list, after they traded for Izak Rankine and Jordan Dawson in the past two years, but they are well served behind the ball with medium-sized emerging talents Max Michalanney, Wayne Milera and Mitch Hinge.
The 97-gamer is originally from Millicent – located roughly between Adelaide and Melbourne – but he lived in Adelaide when he played for Glenelg in the SANFL before he was drafted. – Marc McGowan
Draft bounty awaits Dees
Ex-Demon-turned-Docker Luke Jackson.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne have a major decision to make as Fremantle continue to nose dive.
The Demons own the Dockers’ first and second picks this year, as part of the deal for trading Luke Jackson in the off-season – and would make their first selection at No.4 if the draft was held this week. They are the only club with four picks in the opening two rounds.
Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb and national recruiting manager Jason Taylor are traditionally aggressive at the trade table, and will make a play, in vain or not, for the No.1 pick, especially if Fremantle stay where they are, or fall below Hawthorn.
The Demons could keep the selection and use it on one of the draft’s top talents, with the likes of Zane Duursma, Nick Watson, Daniel Curtin, and Colby McKercher to be considered at that range.
They are also expected to match a bid on father-son midfielder Kynan Brown, the son of ex-Dee Nathan, who averaged 23 disposals and five clearances for Vic Metro at this year’s AFL under-18 Championships. Recruiters believe Brown should make it to the third round before an opposition club bids on him. – Marc McGowan
Why Barrass leaving could help Eagles
Sydney’s interest in contracted West Coast defender Tom Barrass presents the possibility the Eagles could invest strongly at the top of this year’s draft without giving up Victorian Harley Reid.
Barrass has given no indication on his future, but West Coast would be open to trading him at the right price, a well-placed source told Money Talks on the condition of anonymity, knowing their rebuilding timeline and that he is one of few players who could score them a good return.
Contracted West Coast defender Tom Barrass is in Sydney’s sights.Credit: AFL Photos
They already used four selections inside the top 30 in the 2022 draft, splitting pick two to draft West Australian duo Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett, before adding ruckman Harry Barnett and speedster Coby Burgiel.
The Eagles would ideally like to have four picks in that section of the draft again.
Reid looks a generational talent and finished the under-18 carnival with 24 disposals and 11 clearances in a dominant display on Sunday against Vic Metro, even though there is some risk with the go-home factor.
Barrass is contracted until 2027, but the prospect of playing for the Swans – who should rebound next season – may be more appealing, given he turns 28 in October and the Eagles have won only three of their past 43 matches. Sydney make no secret of their wish to improve their key defensive stocks.
The Swans’ willingness to give up their top pick, currently fifth overall, knowing they already have an array of young guns, looms as the key to any potential deal.
There is no certainty that top WA prospect Daniel Curtin, a 195-centimetre defender, would still be available at Sydney’s pick after his excellent performances at the championships increased his draft stocks.
However, this year’s draft is strong at the top, and West Coast stated in the past they were not wedded to picking locals with their early choices. – Marc McGowan
