How the lingering effects of Collingwood’s messy cap past are playing a role in Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy’s situations.
Plus why picks mightn’t be solely swapped between the Tigers and Giants.
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DE GOEY’S ‘COMPLICATED’ SITUATION AMID PIES CAP ‘DISASTER’
Collingwood still hasn’t fully recovered from its infamous salary cap squeeze, hence the club has been happy to listen to rival club offers for star duo Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy, reports Footy Classified.
While all eyes will be on the Magpies this weekend to see if they can progress to a preliminary final match-up against the Swans, the club again looms as a key player of the trade period.
The off-contract yet in-form De Goey is eligible for free agency at season’s end, with St Kilda heavily linked to the star midfielder. While the Saints’ deal is significant, an On The Couch report on Monday night indicated a $3.2 million Collingwood contract was back on the table — the same offer that was withdrawn by the Pies after De Goey’s Bali escapade.
Grundy, who’s been sidelined since Anzac Day due to knee and ankle issues, still has five years to run on his seven-year deal, reportedly worth $1 million per season. But he’s met with several rival clubs, most notably Melbourne, amid speculation the Magpies could ask Grundy to explore his options.
It comes just two years after Collingwood’s fire sale, which saw Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs), Jaidyn Stephenson (North Melbourne) and Tom Phillips (Hawthorn) join rival clubs due to a tight Magpies salary cap.
Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, journalist Sam McClure said there was still lingering effects from the 2020 cap squeeze.
“The Jordan De Goey situation is becoming more complicated and convoluted by the week because he’s playing better – so that makes him more attractive for Collingwood to keep him – and Geelong have pulled out of the race, which means that his options are limited, “ McClure told Footy Classified. “I think it’s either stay at Collingwood on limited guaranteed cash or take more money at St Kilda on a longer-term deal.
“Brodie Grundy … he might be dependent on what happens with Luke Jackson (at Melbourne). He’s on $1 million until the end of 2027.
“Forget what Collingwood are saying publicly, their salary cap is still a borderline disaster, so they need to move money out. That’s why they’re looking at offers for De Goey and Grundy.”
Asked if Grundy would be prepared to ask the Magpies to “recalibrate” his contract, McClure said: “No.”
‘WILDCARD’ IN POSSIBLE TIGERS-GIANTS TRADE
Ruckman Ivan Soldo looms as a potential key figure in trade negotiations between the Giants and Richmond this off-season as the latter attempts to pull off a bold move for two star midfielders, reports the Herald Sun.
Giants on-baller Tim Taranto is set to join Richmond on a seven-year deal worth at least $750,000 per season. The Tigers could also add Taranto’s teammate Jacob Hopper to the mix, paving the way for a recharged midfield brigade in 2023.
As foxfooty.com.au reported on Thursday morning, the Tigers can still afford to sign Taranto on that seven-year deal, pay Dustin Martin $1.3 million next season and offer Hopper a bigger offer than the one Geelong has tabled. That’s in part due to veterans Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin signing short-term extensions, as well as the retirements of Josh Caddy, Kane Lambert and Shane Edwards.
The Tigers currently hold Picks 12, 19 and 30 in this year’s draft, as well as a 2023 first-round selection, meaning they’re well placed to strike deals.
The Herald Sun reported Soldo could be a potential “wildcard” in negotiations considering his situation.
A Canberra product, Soldo is contracted to Richmond until the end of 2024 but struggled to cement his spot in the senior team this season, with the Tigers opting to pair co-captain Toby Nankervis with key defender Ben Miller for their final five games of the season.
Considering the Giants’ struggles around a first-choice ruckman, Soldo may hold appeal for the Giants, but should he move clubs in a Taranto/Hopper deal, multiple first-round picks would likely exchange hands.
A 2019 premiership player, Soldo has played 49 games for Richmond yet had his injury struggles since being selected as a rookie in late 2014.
