A key factor is reportedly going to determine whether an out-of-favour Hawk entertains rival interest this year.
Meanwhile, inside a rising Bulldog’s contract talks, and the salary bump that Sam Darcy is set to cash in on. Read on in TRADE WHISPERS.
Watch every match of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Team selection is set to determine whether overlooked Hawthorn key forward Calsher Dear assesses his opportunities elsewhere this October.
That’s according to the Herald Sun’s Josh Barnes, who reports “rivals are keeping close tabs on Dear”.
The out-of-contract Dear played just nine senior games last year after 17 in his rookie season, and he hasn’t yet received an AFL opportunity this year as Sam Mitchell opts for Mabior Chol and Mitch Lewis next to Jack Gunston.
“They’re a fascinating watch with that mould at the moment, they’ve got four guys, and only three of them are ever going to play at one time,” Corbin Middlemas said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
Jon Ralph added: “He’s not in great form. He’s really early in his career — get a kick, and I’m sure he’ll be really quickly back into that senior team.”
In the preseason, Sam Mitchell explained why Dear started the year on the outer.
“He probably hasn’t quite been at his best. We’ve got quite a few tools in the front half, and we’re looking at trying to get the mix right,” Mitchell said prior to Opening Round.
“He’s just down a little bit of confidence, just currently. He’s obviously been a little bit limited with his pre-season.”
Gold Coast’s Ben King is the big name in the free agency market this year, but Dear is another long-term asset rival clubs will be all over if he’s in fact open to leaving Dingley.
‘Only one way for Voss to salvage this’ | 01:06
IMPROVED DOG’S CONTRACT TALKS AS DARCY BUMP REVEALED
After being involved in trade speculation at the end of last season, the much-improved Buku Khamis’ management is reportedly in talks with the Bulldogs over a long-term extension.
A huge part of the Dogs’ defensive revolution to start this season as a one-on-one stopper, Khamis is a restricted free agent this year after requesting a trade to Carlton last October.
“(He’s) not quite ready to sign the new deal that’s been tabled in front of him, and why would you? Jack Silvagni went from bits-parts player to $850,000-a-year from Carlton to St Kilda,” Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
“Dogs are in talks with his manager Ray Purcell — he loves the joint; it’s not going to go sideways.
“He’s not doing a Silvagni-going-to-St Kilda, but he’s doing what he should do — ratchet up the price a bit, and then sign a new long-term deal as an unrestricted free agent.”
On Tackle the Headline on March 12, Corbin Middlemas said Khamis would have “great options” this year.
“If he keeps playing the footy that he has been … I’d imagine he’d be a very attractive prospect for many clubs.
“You could play him back, you can move him forward. He’s such a flexible guy, and now it’s really on his terms should he want to go.
“And likewise, if the Bulldogs want to keep him, they’re going to have to try and squeeze him in — and they’ve got a lot of good players they’re paying.”
Meanwhile, at the Kennel, the Bulldogs are thought to be keen on bumping up Sam Darcy’s current contract, with the young superstar signed through 2029.
“His current salary is less than $1 million; he signed it after his third year, he kicked 38 goals — he wasn’t the best forward in the game then,” Ralph said.
“And so, that right now is not poorly paid, but it’s not amazing. So, the Dogs are very much open over the next year or two to expanding that contract.
“Still through to 2029, they’ll do a longer-term extension with him — his management firm also represents Bontempelli and Libba, so they’re on good terms there.”
Discussion about this post