A veteran Sydney midfielder is reportedly “open” to the idea of moving clubs at season’s end, despite his contracted status.
Plus, a “red-hot” inside midfielder in western Sydney is turning heads in Victoria as he remains unsigned, while a Norm Smith Medallist is fighting for the chance to play again in 2024.
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SWANS VETERAN ‘OPEN’ TO TRADE OPTIONS
Contracted Sydney veteran Luke Parker is reportedly receptive to the idea of exploring his trade options at the end of this season.
Parker hasn’t had an ideal campaign, having been hit with a six-week VFL suspension in May, which came after he had a delayed start to the season because of a fractured arm.
All that, plus his inability to then break into the Swans’ scintillating outfit, means the 31-year-old former club captain has managed just five senior games this season — it will be the lowest tally in his decorated career.
Now, on Wednesday, AFL Media journalist Cal Twomey reported on Gettable that Parker wouldn’t dismiss the prospect of departing the Harbour City at year’s end.
“This is an interesting one … my understanding is the former Swans skipper is open to exploring a move to a rival club at the end of the year,” Twomey said.
“Is there a taker? I think he’s gettable, it’s just a matter of if there’s a home there for him.”
The 14-year Swans stalwart and 2012 premiership player has another year to run on his contract before being eligible for unrestricted free agency, but there is clearly a growing possibility a move could come as early as this October, with North Melbourne one of the experience-needy clubs floated as a potential suitor.
NORM SMITH MEDALLIST PUSHES FOR NEW CONTRACT
2016 premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen is locked in a race against time to prove his fitness before the start of the Bulldogs’ hopeful AFL finals campaign – all while trying to earn himself another contract extension.
The 31-year-old yet to be offered an extension by his club of 14 years, having persistently battled soft tissue injuries the last three months.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane laid his situation bare, with the Bulldogs labelling him as ‘1-2 weeks’ away on their injury report yesterday.
“He hasn’t played since Round 9 – so he’s targeted the first week of the VFL finals to get himself back from that calf injury; he’s pushing very hard (to get back for September),” McFarlane said.
“He’s out of contract, (there’s) no contract in front of him at the moment, but he’s very keen to play on.
“He is hopeful that first week of the VFL finals is actually the (AFL pre-finals) bye … he’s right up against it, there’s no doubt – but what choice does he have?
“This might be his last chance to play on again next year … wishing him all the best, because he’s been a very good servant of the Western Bulldogs.”
Johannisen has played 196 games at Whitten Oval since his debut in 2012, and has played predominately as a half-back with the occasional season as a pacy forward.
But in his traditional spot off in defence, it may be a tough decision for coach Luke Beveridge to make should be become fit in time for his potential finals campaign.
“He’s up against Lachie Bramble (and) Nick Coffield in the team, he’s not taking Bailey Dale’s spot – so that’s going to be hard,” Midweek Tackle host Jay Clark finished by saying.
The Bulldogs will finish their home-and-away season with matches against North Melbourne and GWS, and with two wins, will ensure Johannisen has the chance to play again in 2024.
INTRIGUE GROWS AROUND ‘RED-HOT’ GIANTS MIDFIELDER YET TO SIGN
GWS inside bull James Peatling is still yet to sign on the dotted line for the orange and charcoal beyond 2024, with a belief he is now well and truly on the radar of rival clubs thanks to his purple form patch.
Having picked up 16 coaches votes in the last three rounds – including a perfect 10 last weekend against Brisbane – Peatling looks to be in career-best form playing in his desired midfield role.
But as the Herald Sun’s Josh Barnes explained on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, this season has been a slow burn for the 23-year-old before getting more game time.
“He’s in red-form, but he’s only just started playing in that GWS midfield; he’s played the last month in the centre square – before that, seven of his 11 games (this year) he was the sub,” Barnes said on Tuesday night.
“He wants to play as an inside midfielder, but it’s been hard for him to break into the team as a mid-season draftee from a couple of years ago.
“He is a New South Welshman, he has (had) a contract in front of him for a number of weeks, he hasn’t signed it.”
Peatling has played 41 games across his three and a half seasons at the club, and has been either the sub or subbed off in more than a quarter (11) of those games.
While not usually played close to goal, the Pennant Hills product proved early in his career he has craft in the area, kicking three consecutive hauls of three goals before his 10th game in the league.
And with the impending return of former captain Stephen Coniglio, he may be forced back inside the attacking arc if he is to hold his spot in the side.
“With Coniglio potentially coming back this week, it’s going to be interesting to see where James Peatling fits ahead of the finals,” Barnes added.
“I reckon some of the Victorian clubs would be right across him; you look at (his) numbers, he looks like someone who needs some senior opportunity and some faith,” host Jay Clark finished by saying.
The Giants tackle Fremantle at ENGIE Stadium this Saturday afternoon at 1:45pm AEST.
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