Sun nominates preferred home for 2026; inside ‘remarkable’ offer for Pie — Trade Whispers

Malcom Rosas Jnr has settled on his preferred home for 2026.

Plus Brandon Starcevich has spoken about his future after yet another concussion and the latest on Jamie Elliott and Collingwood’s improved contract offer.

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ROSAS NOMINATES SWANS

Gold Coast small forward Malcom Rosas Jnr has nominated Sydney as his preferred trade destination for 2026, reports AFL Media’s Callum Twomey.

Rosas had been weighing up a move to the Tigers or Swans, with the 24-year old settling on Dean Cox’s side.

The Swans will now need to acquire Rosas via trade in next week’s exchange window.

Sydney currently holds picks 9, 27, 45 and 63 in this year’s draft.

STARCVEVICH SAYS HE MISSED REST OF GF OUT OF PRECAUTION AHEAD OF HUGE CALL

Dual premiership Lion Brandon Starcevich says he sat out the rest of the grand final through precaution after another head knock as he prepares to make a call on his future.

Starcevich was subbed off in the third quarter of the grand final win over Geelong after suffering yet another concussion following a shutdown role on Patrick Dangerfield.

The reliable defender went down in an innocuous incident after a collision with Ollie Dempsey that ruled out Starcevich from the third quarter onwards, raising concerns around his future.

It continues a list of head knocks to Starcevich, who missed two months earlier this year after a concussion sustained against Sydney in Round 1.

The 26-year old admitted his latest setback in the 2025 decider was “scary,” but suggested he could’ve returned to the game.

“I feel fine. It was obviously a bit scary, but I’ve pulled up fine,” he told AFL Media.

“I potentially (could have come back on) but it was more risk management than anything. I’ve had a little bit going on this year, so to finish like this, I can’t ask for much more.”

It comes amid interest from West Coast in luring the West Australian back home with reports the Eagles are offering a deal worth up to six seasons.

Though his latest concussion could throw a spanner in the works and even cast doubt around Starcevich’s career altogether, with the potential for the backman to face the AFL concussion panel.

“I’ll take a couple of days to enjoy it and then decision time is coming. It’s hard either way. It’s a tough decision to make and it’ll come later,” he said.

While Starcevich said he could’ve returned, he still would’ve needed to be cleared by doctors.

Lions coach Chris Fagan sad he hoped Starcevich was OK.

“It doesn’t seem to be too bad, but I guess you wait and see what happens in the next two or three days because sometimes the boys with concussions can go backwards a couple of days after the event, but he seems fine,” Fagan said post-match.

“He’s been a bit unlucky with those this year.”

WHY PIES IMPROVED ELLIOTT OFFER

Collingwood improved its contract offer to Jamie Elliott in fears the gun small forward is seriously considering leaving for Gold Coast, according to Nine’s Tom Morris.

The Magpies presented Elliott an improved deal last week after the Suns came to the table with a three-year offer in a bid to lure the 33-year old following a career-best season.

Elliott kicked a personal best 60 goals in 2025 — including four on both finals — to be Collingwood’s leader goalkicker as contract talks stalled late into the season.

The veteran, who’s previously been hampered by injury throughout his career, is now weighing up his future and the potential of finishing his career in Queensland, where he has family ties.

“How this played out last week is Gold Coast finally offered a deal, a three-year deal,” Morris said on Nine’s Footy Furnace.

“He’s a great player, but it’s remarkable to offer someone of that age with that injury history a three-year deal. But the Suns want him, he’s exactly what they’re after, a small forward.

“Collingwood offered two years (on less money). Then I think they realised there’s a genuine chance Elliott might go, so they upped that offer with a trigger for a third season, the opportunity of development coaching and other things in the third year. Maybe even move the money around.

“I’m not going to say Gold Coast is confident with this, they’re not, they’re hopeful. But it’s still a chance at the moment.”