An Essendon defender is being ‘zeroed in on’ by as many as three rival Victorian clubs amid a messy contract situation at Tullamarine.
Meanwhile, an out-of-favour Sydney tall is reportedly drawing ‘varying’ rival interest as he battles a lack of senior opportunity.
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Bargain Players your team needs | 06:14
‘A LOT OF INTEREST’: THREE VIC CLUBS INTO BOMBER
Veteran defender Jayden Laverde is being eyed by as many as three rival Victorian clubs amid contract drama at Essendon.
While the 28-year-old is contracted with the Bombers for another season, he and teammate Jake Stringer were reportedly denied new, longer contracts in a recent meeting with club officials.
Now, St Kilda, as well as Carlton and Geelong, are expressing interest in the 131-gamer, according to Herald Sun journalist Scott Gullan.
“There’s a lot of interest, particularly (from) St Kilda,” Gullan told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday night.
“We know what’s happened with Josh Battle (wanting to leave), so the Saints are zeroing in on Laverde.
“Carlton and Geelong are also in the mix. Carlton need help for (Jacob) Weitering, as we know, and Geelong is always just in the background.
“He’s sort of fallen in their lap after what we heard happened at Essendon; the meeting where he said ‘you’re not getting another year — you are contracted for another year, you can stay, or you can go and find a better deal’ … ‘Maybe we can find a way to get you to Moorabbin’.”
In terms of what a potential trade could consist of, Gullan floated St Kilda offering Pick 43 to Essendon in exchange for Laverde.
“I don’t think he’s (worth) a second-rounder,” Gullan said. “I think it is cheap, but … third round, (Pick) 43, I think that’s about right.”
The Saints have also been linked to Melbourne free agent Adam Tomlinson recently, while the Blues are expected to make a play for GWS utility Nick Haynes.
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‘VARYING LEVELS OF INTEREST’ IN SYDNEY TALL
Sydney’s Peter Ladhams is reportedly receiving rival interest amid a shortage of senior opportunities in the Harbour City.
The contracted utility has played just 21 games over three seasons since crossing from Port Adelaide to the Swans at the end of 2021.
According to AFL Media journalist Riley Beveridge, Ladhams is attracting ‘varying’ levels of trade interest from opposition clubs ahead of this year’s movement period.
“The move to Sydney, at the time, was a great move for him,” Ladhams’ manager John Meesen told AFL Media’s Gettable.
“(But) he probably didn’t have the impact in his first year or two there that he would’ve liked, then they (the Swans) go and target Brodie Grundy.”
Meesen said Ladhams’ camp would be “flexible” this year in assessing the ruck-forward’s future options.
“He’s one of those ones where we’ve just got to stay flexible and speak to Sydney about where his future lies. I wouldn’t say he’s definitely looking to get on the move, but he’s one that could come up later on.”
The Norwood product has played 53 games since being rookie-drafted by the Power in 2016 and is contracted at Sydney through next season.
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