Rival’s $4m play for star after Blues’ snub; fourth club in for Suns gun — Trade Whispers

The Western Bulldogs have swiftly turned their attention to a contracted rival defender after missing out on a rival free agent.

Another club has joined the race for an uncontracted Sun, who’s set to receive big offers to leave.

Plus Jack Silvagni’s Saints declaration hasn’t deterred the club from chasing another defender.

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DOGS LAUNCH HARD INTEREST INTO STAR SAINT

The Western Bulldogs have reportedly tabled a mouth-watering deal to lure contracted St Kilda star Callum Wilkie out of Moorabbin.

Nine’s Chief Football Reporter Tom Morris revealed on Thursday afternoon that the Dogs are offering the 29-year-old key defender a four-year contract that would see him earn roughly $1.1 million a year on average across the deal.

Their interest comes after being somewhat snubbed by soon-to-be-Saint Jack Silvagni, who was being hotly pursued by the Bulldogs and Collingwood after informing Carlton of his desire to leave Ikon Park as an unrestricted free agent.

Wilkie is contracted with the Saints until the end of 2027, and has previously squashed claims he was “disillusioned” at St Kilda.

However, as his club continues to splash cash on rival wantaways, Wilkie could be forgiven for thinking twice on a potential exit.

The Bulldogs’ persistent desire to attain a ready-made key defender is unsurprising, with veteran Liam Jones mostly overlooked throughout the season as a third tall down back.

Morris’ revelation came after AFL Media reported on the Western Bulldogs’ desire to recruit Wilkie this off-season.

FOURTH CLUB JOINS RACE FOR IN-DEMAND SUN

Interest in Connor Budarick is ramping up significantly, according to AFL Media reporter Riley Beveridge, who believes Brisbane has entered the race for the uncontracted Suns player.

Budarick is in his sixth season on Gold Coast’s list and, to date, has played 17 of a possible 23 games in a new role forward of centre.

But the 24-year-old has yet to accept a two-year contract offer from Gold Coast amid interest from a host of rival clubs.

Speaking on Gettable this week, Beveridge said the race for Budarick was “really heating up around the competition”, with the Suns’ cross-town rivals also a potential landing spot.

“Brisbane is among the clubs now chasing Connor Budarick,” Beveridge told AFL Media. “We know they’re in a race to keep Brandon Starcevich — I wonder if it’s a little bit of a contingency plan in case Starcevich leaves, looking for another lockdown small defender.

“The Western Bulldogs also have had interest right the way through the season. North Melbourne and Essendon had some interest last year.

“I think deals for Connor Budarick to leave Gold Coast now could reach three, four, even five years … I think that’s the extent of the interest in Connor Budarick now.”

As well as trying to retain Starcevich and Cal Ah Chee, the Lions are also set to land free agents Oscar Allen and Sam Draper, while they’ve also been linked to Jordan Ridley.

Brisbane will also be keen to re-sign Zac Bailey, with reports suggesting Essendon was preparing to launch a big offer for the All-Australian star.

SAINTS’ GIANT INTEREST ‘DID NOT WAVER’ AMID SILVAGNI COUP

St Kilda remains keen to acquire Giants defender Leek Aleer, according to The Age, despite winning the race for another backman in free agent Jack Silvagni.

The Saints on Wednesday confirmed Silvagni had nominated the club as his preferred destination, just over a week after he’d told Carlton he wanted to exercise his free agency rights. Silvagni chose St Kilda over Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.

It comes after months of reports — including from foxfooty.com.au’s Ben Cotton — strongly linking the uncontracted Aleer to the Saints. Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph last week on Fox Footy said Aleer had been offered a two-year deal at $400,000 a season by the Giants, but was aware he’d get a four-year contract at the Saints worth around $750,000 per season.

The Age on Wednesday reported the Saints’ interest in Aleer “did not waver” once they joined the Silvagni race, adding the club was prepared to trade for Aleer while he was in contract last year.

Aleer, who’s played a career-high 12 matches this season, isn’t expected to make an official call on his future until after the Giants’ finals campaign ends.

It means Aleer could join veteran back Callum Wilkie and exciting youngster Alix Tauru, as well as Silvagni, in defence under Ross Lyon as the Saints look to put together a list that will see them compete for finals again.

The Saints will also acquire free agent Tom De Koning and are being tipped to land premiership Eagle Liam Ryan via a trade. They’ve also been linked to contracted Sun Sam Flanders, but will almost certainly need to present a juicy trade offer to Gold Coast to get a deal done.