‘Player of intrigue’: Contract ‘watch’ on Hawk; evergreen Lion to extend career — Trade Whispers

A veteran Lion is poised to sign an eighth one-year contract extension, while a Hawks goalkicker has put contract talks on hold.

That’s according to Herald Sun reporter Josh Barnes, who’s cast his eye across the off-contract players at the remaining six clubs in the 2025 premiership race.

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Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday night, Barnes said of the players selected in the week one finals teams across the six clubs still in the flag hunt, 15 were out-of-contract at season’s end.

Brisbane had three: Defensive duo Brandon Starcevich and Ryan Lester, as well as forward Cal Ah Chee.

While free agents Starcevich and Ah Chee have strong rival interest, Lester is set to sign another deal that will see him play on into a 16th AFL season.

“Ryan Lester will sign another one-year deal. That would be his eighth one-year deal … that’ll be ticked off probably in the next week or so,” Barnes told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

Brisbane’s semi-final opponents, Gold Coast, had three off-contract players in its elimination final team: Jy Farrar, Connor Budarick and Brayden Fiorini.

Budarick is a man in demand with Brisbane keen on luring him north, but Farrar — who’s regained his spot in the side late this season — is set to stay with the Suns. Barnes reported the Farrar camp were “in negotiations at the moment” and would “line up a new deal”.

Elsewhere, Hawthorn was “still hopeful” James Worpel would stay, according to Barnes, but that the wide expectation is the free agent will sign with Geelong next month.

Barnes added a big Hawks contract watch was Sam Butler, who came in for Saturday’s elimination final against the Giants for just his fourth AFL game of the season.

“Sam Butler is a player of intrigue to rival clubs with his speed as a small forward,” Barnes said.

“He was one of the heroes on the weekend with a final-quarter goal (against GWS), he’s putting off contract talks now to focus on finals. So, we’ll keep a watch on him over the next few weeks.”

Adelaide’s off-contract players from its qualifying final loss to Collingwood were Taylor Walker, Brodie Smith and Zac Taylor, while Geelong was the only team without an out-of-contract player in its team – although Rhys Stanley may come back in later in the finals.

But of the six clubs, Collingwood’s qualifying final team had the most off-contract players: Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Wil Parker and Roan Steele.

Barnes said both Mihocek and Elliott – Collingwood’s two leading goalkickers in 2025 – had been “pushing and pulling with Collingwood” in their respective contract negotiations.

Fellow Herald Sun reporter Scott Gullan said the Magpies couldn’t afford for both Mihocek and Elliott to depart.

“Elliott to the Gold Coast (mail) is very strong,” Gullan told Midweek Tackle. “He owes Collingwood nothing, he’s much, much loved.

“If he goes for say a change of environment to finish his career and help them (the Suns) elevate to be an elite finals team, where would Mihocek fit then? You can’t lose both.”

Barnes added: “Collingwood have been hunting for a key forward for a long time and they just can’t really land one. Dan McStay is out of the team right now.

“They’d be in trouble in their forward line without Jamie Elliott’s 56 goals for the season and they’d be looking for answers – and this is a team right in the premiership window.”

Cox, 34, last week returned to Collingwood’s line-up for just his ninth game of the year and first since Round 19, impressing with his aerial competitiveness while giving Darcy Cameron a chop-out in the ruck.

Gullan said he believed Cox still had more to give at AFL level.

“Would Collingwood keep him or would someone else have a nibble?” Gullan asked.

“I think someone else would definitely have a nibble now if you saw what Mason can do. We know he’s capable of this, he again showed it in their biggest game of the year so far.

“I’d have a look at Mason Cox.”