A luckless Swan is turning heads with some impressive performances in the final year of his current deal.
Plus Essendon are yet to re-sign one of their prized draft picks from 2021.
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RIVAL CLUBS INTERESTED IN OUT-OF-FAVOUR SWAN
Sydney is reportedly desperate to retain 23-year-old forward Joel Amartey, but a number of clubs have expressed interest in him.
Amartey has been stuck behind the likes of Lance Franklin for much of his time at the club, having played just 15 senior games.
He impressed in Round 2 with a four-goal performance in Franklin’s absence, then had a career-best 16 disposals against Melbourne the following week.
The 2018 rookie selection is in the final year of his current deal, with the Herald Sun reporting a host of rival clubs have shown interest in him.
Sydney is keen to retain Amartey given the likely retirement of Franklin at season’s end and the issues the Swans forward line has faced in recent times.
Amartey and 21-year-old Logan McDonald are the two spearheads likely to take the Swans forward in 2024 and beyond, making their signatures vital to the club.
DONS’ PRIZED DRAFTEE YET TO RE-SIGN
Essendon is reportedly in no rush to extend first-round draftee Ben Hobbs’ contract, with rival clubs monitoring the 19-year-old.
Hobbs was taken with pick No.13 in the 2021 national draft, but is yet to be re-signed beyond his initial two-year deal.
The Age reports opposition clubs are beginning to inquire about his potential availability.
He played 17 games in 2022, but is yet to play under new coach Brad Scott.
Hobbs suffered a calf strain in mid-February, but was dominant in the VFL side in round one.
He was a late out for Round 2’s VFL game.
Two plays that should have Swans worried | 02:25
PENDLES IN CHARGE OF FUTURE
Collingwood has reportedly left the ball in Scott Pendlebury’s court in regards to his future at the club beyond 2023.
Pendlebury, 35, is in the final year of a two-year deal, which he eventually signed in late 2021 after clarifying comments that appeared to suggest he would be open to playing elsewhere if it involved a pathway to coaching.
The Herald Sun reports the Pies are happy to engage in talks early in Pendlebury wishes, but will leave the decision up to the six-time All Australian.
Pendlebury has played 361 senior games since being drafted with pick No.5 in the 2005 national draft.
He won the Norm Smith Medal in the 2010 Grand Final Replay and is a five-time Copeland Trophy winner at the club.
Should he play on into an 18th year, Pendlebury would likely become just the sixth player in AFL/VFL history to reach the 400-game milestone.
