Rival clubs are reportedly circling Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae.
Channel 9’s Tom Morris reports teams are “monitoring” the three-time All-Australian, who was left out of the Dogs’ senior team for the weekend’s loss to Melbourne after an injury disrupted pre-season.
It curiously came after the 29-year old was demoted from the Bulldogs’ leadership group over the off-season.
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“Jack Macrae, playing VFL, I know he is not fully fit yet but he’s got four years left on a deal,” Morris said on Channel 9’s Footy Furnace.
“Clubs are monitoring him and just seeing whether they could potentially pry him out of the Bulldogs.”
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The Dogs against Melbourne unveiled five new faces including their trio of recruits — James Harmes, Lachie Bramble, Nick Coffield — plus debutants Ryley Sanders and Harvey Gallagher.
Speaking post-match, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge suggested Macrae, 29, was nearing a return to the senior side and that the club wouldn’t risk him if he’s not fully fit.
“With ‘Jacko’ (Macrae), he had a stress-related, through his femur, concern over the pre-season — he worked really hard over his off-season,” Beveridge told reporters.
“And then he had that hamstring that he went down with and he missed quite a bit of training and running and his capacity to cover the ground needs to be there.
“So we’ll just wait until Jack’s totally ready to perform at his absolute best with the ground cover. So he’s not far away.”
MCDONALD PROBED ABOUT FUTURE
Out of contract Swans forward Logan McDonald says he’s “happy playing” for the Swans amid speculation around his future.
Reports have suggested Fremantle is set to make a big play for the West Australian McDonald, armed with three first-round picks it could use as trade currency.
The 21-year old former Pick 4 gets a big opportunity to boost his price tag this year as a focal point in the Swans forward line following Buddy Franklin’s retirement, with McDonald kicking three goals in Sydney’s win over Collingwood on Friday night
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Speaking to Fox Footy post-match, McDonald was coy when probed about his contract situation.
Demons great Garry Lyon cheekily posed: “I am aware you’re out of contract and my football club is looking for a big key forward, where’s that all sitting at the moment?”
To which McDonald responded: “I’m happy just letting my manager and the club work through that. I’m happy playing footy for the Swans at the moment and I’m loving my time.”
McDonald has played 46 AFL games since making his debut in 2021.
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