Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia has been linked with a shock return to his former club, Essendon.
The Age reports Fantasia, who was once one of the most electrifying small forwards in the competition, has told ex-teammate and close friend Zach Merrett of his desire to return to Essendon after an indifferent stint at the Power.
Fantasia has played just three games this season, having fallen out of favour in Ken Hinkley’s surging side after the 27-year old’s 2022 campaign was ruined by injury.
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His three-year deal with Port expires at the end of 2023 after he returned to South Australia at the end of 2020 due to homesickness.
It’s unclear whether Essendon would be keen on a reunion, with plenty on the club’s plate from a list management perspective as it is including contract negotiations with free agents Mason Redman and Darcy Parish and links to rival players such as Ben McKay and Harry Himmelberg.
The Age reports even if a return to the Bombers didn’t happen, Fantasia, who owns a property in Melbourne, could pursue a move to another Victoria club.
Fantasia has booted 141 goals from 99 games, but a mix of injury and form has limited him to just 24 games since the start of 2020.
EAGLE STAR MORE LIKELY TO LEAVE THAN STAY
There’s momentum building in a potential Tom Barrass trade from West Coast, according to AFL journalist Mitch Cleary.
The West Australian reported last month rival clubs were circling the gun defender despite Barrass being contracted at the Eagles until 2027 after penning a five-year extension at the end of the 2021 season.
Barrass has played 130 games for West Coast and is the club’s vice-captain, plus he has a young family in Western Australia.
But there’s now a growing belief at club land Barrass, who’s previously been linked with a move to the Swans, is more likely to depart West Coast than remain at the struggling club, reports Cleary.
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“Other clubs are often a good gauge in these scenarios, and when I‘ve been ringing about (Tom) Doedee, Ben McKay, Harry Himmelberg, often the first thing that comes back is: ’Jeez, there’s a but in that Tom Barrass stuff’. Keep your eyes firmly on Sydney,” Cleary revealed on the Tradies Podcast.
“There was a bit of chat about him 18 months ago, there’s a bit happening in this space. Right now, from everyone I’ve spoken to, I’d be more inclined to say he’s leaving than staying.
“In this space, when people start to talk about a player like Tom Barrasss in this manner it usually says to me that something‘s happening.
“He‘s got a sister who lives in Sydney. (Sydney) threw the line out there a couple of years ago and the Swans’ interest actually prompted the long-term extension at the Eagles at the time.
“He’d still have to request a trade … there’s still a lot to get through and the Swans could still land one of these free agents that they wouldn’t have to pay anything for in terms of a draft pick.
“There’s enough chatter around now where that this Barrass thing has gone from more of a whisper to there might be a bit in the market for him.”
TIGERS EYEING SUNS’ FIRST PICK
Richmond is reportedly interested in acquiring Gold Coast’s first-round pick, according to The Herald Sun.
The Tigers off-loaded their first rounder in the Jacob Hopper deal last year and currently don’t own a selection until Pick 31, based on current ladder position.
But the club is keen to get back into the first round and has identified the Suns’ first rounder, currently the No. 7 pick, as target, where they could offer a package that adds up to more draft points to that early Gold Coast selection.
The Suns have stockpiled picks in this year’s draft to use as points to help the club land their three highly-rated academy players — Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Jake Rogers.
