‘A big watch’: Giants eyeing shock Shiel reunion; Pies mid in ‘worst position’ — Trade Whispers

A GWS reunion could be on the cards for an Essendon ball-getter, while a Collingwood midfielder is “in limbo” amid a nervous wait for a new contract.

Plus, despite rumours, a gun Demons forward is set to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

Stay up to date with the latest developments throughout this year’s player movement period with AFL Trade Whispers!

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GWS REUNION WITH SHIEL ‘A BIG WATCH’

After offloading him to Essendon in 2018, GWS is ‘exploring’ a shock reunion with midfielder Dylan Shiel.

According to Seven reporter Mitch Cleary, the Giants have expressed interest in reuniting with the contracted 31-year-old.

“I understand the Giants will explore the possibility of a reunion with Dylan Shiel, who is open to a fresh start at another club,” Cleary told Seven on Thursday night.

“Shiel was an inaugural Giant before his move to Essendon. He has one year left on his deal at Tullamarine.

“A big watch on what happens now with Dylan Shiel and the Bombers.”

Shiel has played 220 games; 135 of which came with the Giants between 2012-18.

The Aspendale product has fallen out of favour with Essendon’s selection committee in the past couple of seasons, playing nine senior games this year after 12 in 2023.

However, he finished the 2024 campaign strong, playing in the Bombers’ final eight games. He averaged 21.0 disposals, 3.8 marks, 3.4 tackles and 4.2 clearances per game.

The Giants have capital to work with this off-season — they already hold Picks 14, 34, 49, 52 and 70 — and will have much more once they receive compensation for the free agency departures of Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming, as well as prospectives trade for James Peatling (Crows) and Wade Derksen (Demons).

PIE ‘IN LIMBO’ AMID NERVOUS WAIT ON CONTRACT

First-year Collingwood midfielder Lachie Sullivan is “in limbo” according to his management.

After a successful stint with the club’s VFL unit, Sullivan joined the Magpies’ AFL fray at the start of this year as a pre-season supplemental signing.

He played 10 senior games and showed promising glimpses as Collingwood’s engine room suffered more than its fair share of injuries, averaging 12.9 disposals, 5.9 contested possessions, 2.5 tackles, 1.9 clearances per game.

However, after serving a one-year term, Sullivan remains without a deal for next year and is slated for a nervous wait on a new contract.

“Yeah, he is (in a holding pattern), unfortunately, and I think that’s the worst position to be in at this time of year,” Sullivan’s manager James Pitcher told AFL Trade Radio on Thursday afternoon.

“Sometimes it’s easier to know that you have been delisted (so) you can go into that market.

“He is in limbo a little bit — the conversations with the Pies have been really positive.

“I’d like to think, coming in as an SSP, playing 10 games and even seeing his growth through his career … I think, given another opportunity and what he could do, I’d like to think he’s going to be there in 2025.”

DEMON ‘WON’T BE LEAVING’ AMID RUMOURS

Despite trade speculation hinting at the contrary, Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett won’t be leaving the Demons this year.

Pickett has three years remaining on his current deal before being eligible for restricted free agency.

While the electric forward doesn’t particularly enjoy living in Melbourne, Nine’s Tom Morris reports Pickett “loves” the club.

“Pickett won’t be leaving Melbourne,” Morris told AFL Trade Radio on Thursday.

“He loves the Dees, he loves Simon Goodwin, he just doesn’t like living in Melbourne. Port won’t chase him.

“They hear he’s homesick every year, but nothing materialises. He’s been in Darwin and will attend the best and fairest tomorrow night.”

Port Adelaide and Fremantle have been linked to Pickett.

Elsewhere, Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver is said to be pursuing a move to Geelong, while Alex Neal-Bullen is headed to the Adelaide Crows and key defender Adam Tomlinson is likely to depart as a free agent.

On the other hand, Melbourne is expected to bring in veteran ruckman Tom Campbell when free agency opens at 9am on Friday, as well as uncapped GWS forward Wade Derksen via trade.