Vic giant ‘shows interest’ in shock Neale play; ‘deluded’ Cripps exit reality — Trade Whispers

A midfielder-needy Victorian powerhouse has flagged its interest in dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, whose AFL future remains uncertain.

Plus the reality Carlton is facing when considering whether to trade Patrick Cripps. More below in Trade Whispers!

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VIC GIANT ‘SHOWS INTEREST’ IN SHOCK NEALE PLAY

Collingwood is eyeing another surprise free agency play for a former Brownlow medallist, holding interest in Lachie Neale reports the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark.

The Brisbane veteran has been in strong form this season but is expected to consider his footy future after the end of his marriage late last year.

Neale has travelled to see his kids in Perth during this year and is yet to decide whether he wants to remain at the Lions, or if he’ll consider offers from elsewhere as he comes out of contract.

West Coast and Fremantle had been considered the front-runners for Neale, should he consider leaving, due to his family ties.

But it has been reported Neale isn’t limiting his market based on location and the Magpies are keen to hold onto their draft picks amid a severe lack of young talent. Therefore they would be interested in signing Neale as an unrestricted free agent.

The 32-year-old could help the Pies’ midfield and follow in the footsteps of Brownlow winner Tom Mitchell who finished his career in black and white.

The 2023 premiers are also interested in poaching Gold Coast’s Ben King, though the Suns remain confident King will re-sign before coming out of contract at the end of this season.

‘DELUDED’ CRIPPS EXIT REALITY

Carlton will need to convince Patrick Cripps to change his mind if it’s to attempt to trade out their captain in a looming rebuild.

On the Couch’s Jordan Lewis suggested last month the Blues must consider everything as it looks to reshape its list, including dealing out Cripps.

Then this week First Crack’s David King declared Cripps, Jacob Weitering and Harry McKay should all be placed on the trade table.

Nine’s Damian Barrett reported on Monday night it would “not shock anyone in the footy industry” if Cripps tries to leave at the end of the year.

“I’ve been checking this story out for weeks … the two clubs in Perth are not gonna be surprised if his management at some stage about this bye period make an inquiry about it,” Barrett said on Footy Classified.

But with coach Michael Voss not expected to continue into next year, and with major changes looming at Princes Park, the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph says Cripps is backing the Blues to rebound and currently doesn’t want to leave.

“Certainly when Michael Voss is sacked, all bets will be off. The club’s new football boss in Chris Davies and (CEO) Graham Wright will formulate the plan with the new coach when he arrives,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“But right now Patrick Cripps does not want to be traded; he has absolutely no intention of finding a new home.

“He’s still of the belief that the Blues can turn this around … it’s potentially deluded but that’s the kind of person he is. He is backing himself in. And if he did move on, it would be against his will.

“When of course it is they do get a new coach, Chris Davies has shown he will pull the trigger; the Dan Houston trade when he came to Collingwood, he (Davies) was able to secure multiple early picks for a dual All-Australian, and of course Graham Wright has been completely emotionless in trading Charlie Curnow last year and a couple of years back Brodie Grundy at Collingwood.

“Yes, you’d get a pick for Patrick Cripps who’s out of contract next year, but would you get anything near his fair value?”

Ralph added: “George Hewett is certain to look around, he’s been totally pushed out of this side as the best and fairest winner. Mitch McGovern is an unrestricted free agent who’ll get better offers elsewhere than he will at Carlton.”

On Monday, former Carlton footy boss Brad Lloyd declared the Blues should not trade Cripps.

“He’s been a star for the club, and there have been similar conversations about his form before this year – but he’s won two Brownlows since then,” Lloyd told The Age.

“I feel like whenever the team goes through a rough patch, Cripps is the target. As a club, the first port of call is to do everything you can to support him. You can really have only one player of that type in the midfield.

“I’d be looking to complement him, as opposed to moving him. The only way you consider those sorts of trades, for someone of that calibre, is if you’re absolutely blown out of the water.”