Rivals circle Bombers first-rounder amid midfield squeeze; Tigers’ play to keep star: Trade Whispers

A former first-round Essendon draft pick is ‘being looked at’ by rival clubs amid dissipated senior opportunities, and a pair of destinations might make sense this off-season.

Plus, a Richmond free agent might not be a guarantee to leave Tigerland this year despite being seriously linked with a rival.

Stay up to date with the latest player movement developments with AFL Trade Whispers!

Watch every game until the 2024 AFL Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

RIVAL CLUBS ‘LOOKING AT’ OUT-OF-FAVOUR BOMBER

Forgotten Essendon midfielder Ben Hobbs, who has played just 10 senior games this season after 18 last year, is being ‘looked at’ by rival clubs ahead of the off-season.

The Bombers selected Hobbs — who is contracted for one more season — with the No. 13 pick in 2021, but he could be out the Hangar door just two years later, per Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark.

“Ben Hobbs’ future is really interesting,” began Clark on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday evening.

“The midfield squeeze is on at the Bombers … they’ve got Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell — who signed for four years today — has been on a rocket; he’s become an A-grader.

“Sam Durham will finish in the top-three (of Essendon’s) best-and-fairest. Plus, outside of that, they’ve got Dylan Shiel, Will Setterfield — who had 43 touches in the VFL a week ago — Elijah Tsatas can’t get a game, and Hobbs, who played 18 games last year averaging 20 touches (but) can’t get a game (this year).

“He’s played 10 games this year, averaging 13 possessions — he’s on a massive slide. He is a ready-made midfielder that rival clubs are looking at, at the moment.”

In terms of which clubs that could come calling in October, Clark floated a couple of options.

“I think you’d have to have a look at Collingwood, who I think really need to bolster their midfield,” Clark said.

“Someone to take the physical load off Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury’s got a year left, Steele Sidebottom maybe (has) one year, (and) what’s Tom Mitchell’s future? So, I think the Pies need to bolster their midfield.

“Richmond, if they lose (Jack) Graham, (Shai) Bolton, (Daniel) Rioli and (Liam) Baker, do they need some density? Do they need a bigger body like Ben Hobbs?

“He’s only 20 years old, so we still consider him young. He’s had some exposure at the top level, (and he’s) contracted for one more year.”

Clark added that little-used ruckman Nick Bryan will attract rival overtures this off-season.

TIGERS MAKE LATE PLAY TO KEEP FREE AGENT

Despite significant interest from the West Coast Eagles, Richmond is reportedly making a concerted effort to retain dual premiership midfielder Jack Graham.

It is understood the Eagles have extended a four-year contract offer to the 26-year-old South Australian, who played integral roles in Richmond’s 2017 and 2020 premierships.

However, according to AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge, the Tigers have also tabled an offer to Graham — however, that deal is not as long as West Coast’s — in a bid to keep the hard-nosed ball-winner at Punt Road.

As an unrestricted free agent, Graham can walk to the club of his choice without any resistance from the Tigers, and if he were to do so, Richmond would likely receive second-round draft compensation.

Graham’s situation comes as the Tigers’ list committee prepares for a potential exodus at the end of this season, with Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli all thought to be considering moves elsewhere.

The North Adelaide product met with Port Adelaide officials at the end of 2022 — while still a contracted player — before deciding to remain a Tiger.