Eagles sweat over health of key free agent target; veteran Crow nearing big call — Trade Whispers

It’s been revealed the Eagles are “worried” about the latest concussion suffered by free agent target Brandon Starcevich — but there’s a reason they can breathe easier.

Meanwhile, “it would now be a shock” if an Adelaide stalwart didn’t extend his career.

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EAGLES SWEAT OVER FREE AGENT

West Coast has long been keen on luring West Australian dual premiership defender Brandon Starcevich home, but after the Lion suffered his fourth concussion in the space of 14 months, it’s been revealed the club is “worried” about the situation.

Starcevich didn’t play out Saturday’s flag triumph over Geelong after suffering his latest head knock, but Herald Sun and Fox Footy reporter Jon Ralph says it isn’t as serious as one he suffered previously this year as the Eagles sweat on their lucrative offer to the 26-year-old.

“The big worry, right now, is for Brandon Starcevich … this (concussion) was not as significant as the one that saw him out for three months, but the Eagles have put (forward) a deal that is significant,” he told Fox Footy’s On the Couch season finale on Monday night.

“It’s $900,000, as much as six years. They (the Eagles) have contacted those around him (Starcevich) in the last 48 hours — they’re worried about this concussion.”

But in a relief for West Coast supporters, the club’s purported six-year offer isn’t fully guaranteed if Starcevich isn’t able to hit games-based triggers.

“It’s not a six-year deal that’s guaranteed. I can tell you tonight that it’s got some games-based triggers, so it might be four or five years guaranteed, and then you’ve got to play a certain amount of games to get that six-year (term) … right now, that deal is still on the table,” Ralph added.

Four-time flag-winner Jordan Lewis expressed some concern over the Eagles’ offer to the 132-gamer.

“I watched that (his head knock), and I thought ‘I wonder what that means for the contract that is potentially going to come his way — I think they would (second-guess offering that length of deal). I think maybe the length of it you could seriously consider,” he said.

“That’s a lot of money to commit to someone who’s had a lot of previous issues in terms of concussion.”

And in the unfortunate hypothetical event that Starcevich is medically retired in the future, whichever club has his contract on their books will be covered for three further years of that deal.

Under the AFL’s rules, if he was medically retired by an AFL panel, he would have 90 per cent of his salary exempted from the salary cap in the year after he exited the game. In the second season post-retirement he would have 75 per cent exempted, then 50 per cent in the third — but after the third, no more protection.

“I think it’s a fair bet for West Coast to take, assuming that they have got recompense somewhere built in from the AFL to be able to take that risk with the position that they’re in to get a high-quality player,” former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley told On the Couch.

“And as you said, there’s triggers attached to it, so there might be some security and safety mechanisms for the back half of that, at least, and I think you’ve got to be prepared, in West Coast’s shoes, to take a little bit of a risk on something like this that it does pay off, because you get a quality player and quality person.”

Starcevich is a restricted free agent, so even if the Lions’ stopper ultimately desires a move home, Brisbane has the right to match the Eagles’ offer and force a trade agreement.

IT WOULD ‘BE A SHOCK’ IF CROW DOESN’T PLAY ON

Unrestricted free agent Taylor Walker is reportedly set to extend his career into a 19th season, as a “sit-down” with Adelaide officials is imminent.

There have been questions over whether Walker would continue his decorated career, but after 39 goals from 23 games in a humming forward line alongside Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty, a decision appears clear.

According to Seven’s Mitch Cleary on Monday night, “it would now be a shock” if Walker didn’t play on, with “all parties expecting” the 301-game former captain to play on.

‘Tex’ booted a whopping 76 goals in a resurgent 2023 season but regressed last year, managing just 29 majors in 18 games as doubts were again cast over his future in the league.

But he again silenced the naysayers this year, not only proving he’s still a clear best-23 player in Matthew Nicks’ side but also continuing to add serious leadership value in the forward half as Thilthorpe and Fogarty continue to forge their AFL careers.