Lachie Neale has publicly said his free agency preference is to remain a Lion, but particular dynamics mean rival teams from down south could sway his ultimate call.
Plus, the core issue behind a star forward’s contract hold-up. Read on in Trade Whispers.
Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
COMPLEX NEALE DYNAMICS OPEN DOOR TO SA CLUBS
The common thought regarding Neale’s free agency is that the dual Brownlow medallist will choose between either Brisbane or Perth, given his children live in Western Australia with his former partner Jules.
However, it might not be that simple, as Midweek Tackle’s Jon Ralph explains, and it could see the South Australian clubs very much in the window to woo him.
“August is d-day, he’ll assess all of the clubs who are interested in him — and you’d say ‘why would a club other than those two states (Queensland and WA) have a chance?’” Ralph began on Fox Footy.
“Well, the issue is that his parents ferry his young kids across the country when he does see them, and that’s been quite regularly, but he hasn’t really got a lot of family or help in Brisbane.
“I think there are clubs in Adelaide that would say ‘okay, his parents live in Robe (in South Australia), so three or four hours south (of Adelaide), and if it was that we could offer him a deal that might satisfy him, he’s closeby to Perth, where he’s only got his immediate family, what about if, say, an Adelaide or Port said ‘two years at $750,000’?”
Midweek Tackle panellist Scott Gullan said: “I’d do it in a heartbeat. Adelaide’s got issues around the ball, as we know. He’s still an amazing athlete … ultimate professional, leadership — I’d have two years, pay him what he wants, get him to Adelaide, it makes sense.”
Of Neale having to coordinate a back-and-forth between Brisbane and Perth to see his children, Gullan added: “It’s not sustainable for another year.”
The 32-year-old is coming off a blistering 42-disposal display in last Sunday’s win over Adelaide, and has shown thus far this season that he’s still an elite midfielder in the competition.
It comes after his miraculous injury recovery to play a starring role in Brisbane’s second consecutive premiership last September.
Will AFL move match for Pendles’ record? | 03:18
$600K ‘PROBLEM’ IN HOGAN STANDOFF
Giants spearhead Jesse Hogan reportedly doesn’t want to leave GWS, but there’s a clear sticking point in negotiations over a new contract.
Hogan, 31, isn’t even one year removed from his Coleman Medal triumph last season, but he’s gone goalless on two occasions this year and has only once eclipsed two goals in a game.
Midweek Tackle’s Lauren Wood says Hogan “wants to stay a Giant”, but that there’s work to be done between the two sides over remuneration.
“There were whispers about some interest from some other clubs, and I think it would naturally come … but he was adamant that he has no intent to leave GWS,” Wood told Fox Footy on Tuesday night.
“And (he) was actually quite emotive with how he spoke about it — ‘GWS essentially saved my career when nobody else would, everyone had written me off’.
“So, he essentially feels like he’s got to repay the faith … I think what it’s going to come down to, and talking to people at the Giants, what do you pay him in this scenario? What is he worth at that age?”
Jon Ralph replied: “On form, he’s a $600,000 player.
“But the problem is players like Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are probably playing for a couple hundred thousand — those players are playing for so little, and someone like Jessie … has never got that big payday.
“That’s the challenge. But I think a bloke, who, if he can finish off the season in great style after that Coleman Medal, he’s 600 (thousand dollars per season).”
On whether the hold-up was between money or years on a contract, Ralph said: “He wants more money.”
AFL Media reported earlier in April that the Giants had tabled Hogan a two-year offer, which would take him through to his age-33 season.
Discussion about this post