The contract status of Marcus Windhager is officially one to watch in the coming weeks, with his aspiration to become a permanent ball-winner a desire that could leave rival clubs circling.
And at Melbourne, a number of young guns have caught the eye of recruiters — as two names in particular continue their stellar start in the reserves.
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ST KILDA GUN’S ASPIRATION THAT COULD LEAVE RIVAL CLUBS CIRCLING
The contract status of St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager is emerging as one to keep an eye on, as the young gun contemplates his long-term future at Moorabbin.
The 21-year-old is out of contract at season’s end, and while there’s no suggestion of an impending departure, foxfooty.com.au understands he is hopeful of greater opportunities on-ball — a factor that could prompt rival clubs to come circling with enticing on-field roles of their own to offer.
Windhager has shown glimpses of stardom in just over three seasons at AFL level, however his role has largely been confined to run-with assignments as the Saints’ primary tagger. While he has selflessly performed the role with discipline and grit — with scalps such as superstar Nick Daicos to his name — it’s understood that long-term, Windhager holds ambitions of becoming a more attacking, ball-winning midfielder.
It goes without saying that the Saints see Windhager as a valuable asset and are keen to retain his services, but the structure of their midfield that has established names like Jack Steele and new recruit Jack Macrae, could continue to restrict his ball-winning opportunities.
Saints head coach Ross Lyon has historically favoured a more defensively-minded approach, however did make note of Windhager’s ‘freer’ wing role in last Friday night’s smashing of Fremantle during his post-game press conference.
“We didn’t even tag (Caleb Serong or Andrew Brayshaw) tonight; Windhager just rolled around on a wing. (He) was very effective, which is a big win,” Lyon told journalists.
“We had him there if we thought someone would get away. It was great for him, he free-willed on a wing and it was pretty good.”
For now, Windhager remains committed to continuing his strong start to season 2025, with more advanced talks on his future at Moorabbin to take place later in the season. Nonetheless, his on-field role in the coming weeks could create a more intriguing narrative on his future, should talks be pushed back much further.
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AND A WATCH ON THREE YOUNG DEMONS…
With as many as 18 Melbourne players currently out of contract, a trio of developing prospects — including two untried rookies — have made their way into the notebooks of rival recruiters as they build strong reserves form.
Category B rookie Andy Moniz-Wakefield remains unsigned more than two months after suffering a cruel ACL rupture during match simulation earlier this year.
The 21-year-old dashing defender from Darwin, who was recruited via Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) ties to the Northern Territory, played six AFL games last season and showed promising signs.
Moniz-Wakefield, who grew up playing both rugby and football, was viewed as a long-term project with exciting athletic upside.
Meanwhile, two of his uncapped teammates from the 2022 Rookie Draft — Oli Sestan and Will Verrall — are putting together strong VFL campaigns as they push for an AFL debut.
Sestan, a product of Mansfield in country Victoria, has emerged as a reliable ball-winner in Casey’s back half, averaging just under 22 disposals and 7.5 marks per game.
Verrall, a 199cm ruck from south of Adelaide, has been a dominant presence around the ground and is continuing to develop his forward craft.
With plenty of contracts currently up for grabs at Melbourne, foxfooty.com.au understands rival clubs are monitoring the duo closely, while curiosity surrounds the future of Moniz-Wakefield, who has been ruled out for the remainder of 2025.
The trio’s development as two rookie selections and a Category B rookie respectively, paired with their versatility is seen as their biggest drawcard for rival recruiters keeping tabs.
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