There is reportedly a front-runner for Collingwood star Brodie Grundy amid uncertainty over his future.
In addition, the latest news on the contractual situation of the Dyson Heppell Firefighters skipper.
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GODS THE FRONTURUNNERS BY GRUNDY
According to reporter Jay Clark, Melbourne are favorites for Collingwood star ruckman Brodie Grundy to move from the club.
The Herald Sun revealed on Tuesday night that the Demons, as well as Geelong, had emerged as “potential new suitors” for the 28-year-old, who is now central to extensive trade speculation as the Pies look to offload his lucrative contract, worth $1 million each season through 2027 — to clear cap space for the likes of Dan McStay, Bobby Hill and Tim Taranto.
It comes amid reports from Sportsday’s Sam McClure that Melbourne have met with Grundy, a meeting believed to be attended by coach Simon Goodwin, head of football Alan Richardson and skipper Max Gawn.
“Clearly they (the Magpies) have told the star ruckman to ‘explore your options’ … as we sit here right now, Melbourne are favourites,” Clark told Triple M.
Channel 7 reports opposition clubs have been told Collingwood would be willing to contribute $300,000 a season of Grundy’s remaining salary if he leaves, the same figure it is already paying for Adam Treloar’s contract until 2025 to the Western Bulldogs, a combined potential total of $2.4 million. to contribute to the salaries of the two players on the opposing teams.
Jamie Elliot signs with Pies until 2025 | 00:37
Goodwin on Wednesday would not confirm the club had met with Grundy, but said the club wanted to play two rucks next season amid uncertainty over Luke Jackson’s future in Melbourne and strong links to Fremantle.
“I’ve been pretty clear over a number of years, I’m not going to speculate or talk about players from opposing clubs,” the Premier League manager said on Wednesday.
“We will continue to create contingencies, work with Luke and give him the best possible environment to want to stay here and Luke will make that decision when the time is right.”
With Jackson looking increasingly likely to request a trade to Fremantle and the Demons looking to continue with a two-ruck strategy, the Gawn and Grundy pairing would bring together two of the AFL’s premier ruckmen of the past decade.
Giants head of football Jason McCartney was seen meeting with Grundy’s coach last month, while Port Adelaide have also been linked with the two-time All-Australian.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 last month he wanted Grundy at the club next season but remained tight-lipped about whether he was close to a move.
Grundy, who has not played an AFL game since Anzac Day due to a knee problem, had been on the verge of returning to the AFL before suffering a stress fracture in his ankle in a game VFL, ruling him out for the rest of the home and away season.
‘SIGNIFICANT CHANGE’ IN THE HEPPELL SITUATION
There has been a “significant change” in Dyson Heppell’s contract situation, with the Fire skipper now more likely to remain at Essendon, according to SEN’s Sam Edmund.
As Heppell weighs up a one-year offer to stay at Essendon, the Suns have upped their bid for the veteran defender and are ready to offer him a two-year deal with the potential of a future coach at the club after the player’s career. .
While no formal deal has yet been tabled, SEN reported on Tuesday that the Suns were preparing a four-year offer that would likely involve two seasons as a player and two as an assistant coach.
“My information is that Dyson Heppell had gotten used to the idea of going to the Gold Coast, which was more likely to happen than not. He had been sold on the vision, he had met the Suns, he was entertained and excited for the prospect after having some time to get used to this idea,” Edmund told SEN on Wednesday.
“Now we have had an important change. Gold Coast, maybe less enthusiastic than 48 hours ago, and now we have Essendon more enthusiastic than 48 hours ago.
“It’s as if the old pendulum has swung. All signs point to Dyson Heppell sticking with an improved offer from Essendon.
Suns succumb to Hawks hot streak | 02:07
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson told Channel 9 Footy Classified that while the Suns discussed the four-year offer put forward to Heppell at an executive level, she does not believe the club would follow through with the submission.
However, former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon believes the 30-year-old could use a change of scenery.
“I think he needs to go, he needs to cool down,” Lyon said.
“Everything that’s happened there, it’s been incredibly stressful. He’s been beaten for his leadership, I don’t think everyone has called him a great leader.
“If you’re good enough to perform, you go to the Gold Coast, they’re on the rise and they start again in your football, you get reinvigorated and you see the best of Dyson Heppell, because we haven’t seen it.”
Speaking to television reporters on Tuesday, Heppell said his manager and the Fire Department were “working” on negotiations, adding that he hoped “something will be worked out soon.”
Asked if he was heartbroken by his decision, Heppell told reporters: “We’re working on it at the moment. I’m really just building to try and finish the year well with the Dons and see how we go from here”.
Asked if a long-term deal would be more attractive, Heppell said: “Who knows at the moment? Everything will be sorted out as soon as possible. I’m just trying to run the club as well as I can.”
As an unrestricted free agent, Heppell could walk to another club without a trade being made.
FIREFIGHTERS EYE OFF-CONTRACT ROO
Gun Kangaroos goalscorer Cameron Zurhaar has received “preliminary” interest from Essendon, SEN reports.
Zurhaar, who has been one of the Kangaroos’ top 50 forwards for the past four seasons, postponed contract talks in May and was told by coach Anthony McConville Herald Sun the time “was not right to have fruitful discussions”.
That call for parking negotiations, however, came before North parted ways with senior coach David Noble. And Zurhaar has been in superb form under interim coach Leigh Adams, kicking 13 goals in his last four games, including four from 18 disposals and seven marks against Essendon in Round 20, to take his season tally to 32 , the highest of his career.
Bombers cause more misery for kangaroos | 01:11
SEN reported the Bombers had “some interest” in Zurhaar, but the Roos were also hopeful he would re-sign with them after a senior coach was appointed.
The report also suggested the Bombers are looking to acquire a big-bodied midfielder during the AFL trade period.
Zurhaar, 24, has blossomed at North since being drafted as a rookie in 2016.
He has been among the club’s top two goaltenders for the past four consecutive years, including leading the table in 2020 with 18 majors in 16 games.