Jamie Elliott’s already clouded future in the AFL became more unclear than ever on Friday following news that the Brisbane Lions have entered the race for the unrestricted free agent’s services.
Elliott is believed to prefer to remain at Collingwood, but only has a two-year contract on the table from the Magpies, while other clubs are willing to make him better offers.
Melbourne’s Josh Mahoney confirmed on Friday that the Demons have made Elliott a three-year contract offer, and it’s believed similar offers could be forthcoming from North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
What we do know now for certain is that Elliott will not land at Hawthorn, as the Hawks’ football boss Graham Wright today ruled out pursuing him.
While it’s believed Elliott would prefer to remain in Victoria if he does move clubs, the Lions could become a serious contender for his services if he does indeed decide his future lies beyond Collingwood.
Elliott appears genuinely undecided on what to do next at this stage. He will look to make a decision sometime between now and when the free agency window closes next Friday.
Another small forward, Tom Papley, reportedly “doesn’t really care” which clubs he plays at in 2020, so long as he’s able to secure a trade back to Victoria.
This conflicts with reports earlier in the week that Papley had nominated Carlton has preferred trade destination earlier in the week, though that still seems the most like scenario for him.
Sydney do appear to be planning for life without Papley – they’ve made contract during the week with Adelaide’s Riley Knight and Brisbane’s Lewis Taylor, both of which could potentially join the club to play a Papley role.
Carlton’s first-round pick, currently No.9 overall, appears certain to be part of any Papley deal, but it’s not clear if other clubs might feel they are still in the race for his services after hearing this news.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Things are also looking complicated for Geelong’s Tim Kelly who, as widely anticipated, earlier this week requested a trade to join the West Coast Eagles, as he did this time 12 months ago.
Unlike last year, Kelly is out of contract and so has more leverage, but Geelong appear set to make the deal a long and difficult one.
Cats list manager Stephen Wells today had the hypothetical of a swap for West Coast’s pick 14 this year and their 2020 future first-round pick put to him, and knocked it back.
It appears that – despite being well aware of the likelihood of this occurring – the Cats are still struggling to get their head around Kelly’s trade request.
“All of us are very reluctant for Tim to go at all, but for him to end up at a fierce rival like West Coast Eagles, who we’ve got great respect for, or Fremantle, who we’ve also got great respect for, we’re losing a player that has come second in our best and fairest in his first two years,” said Wells.
“We want to do what’s best for the Geelong Footy Club, taking into account everybody else’s position as well.”
Geelong’s statement regarding Kelly on Wednesday this week seemed to heavily imply that, despite Kelly nominating the Eagles as his club of choice, they intend to negotiate with both West Coast and Fremantle.
“Tim is out of contract but is not a free agent. The club will explore all options in regard to Tim’s request,” said the club via their statement.
Fremantle currently have pick 7 in this year’s draft and will expect to gain pick 6 via St Kilda in an impending deal to move Brad Hill to the Saints.
West Coast at present hold picks 14, 24 and 33 in the first two rounds of this year’s draft, plus their future 2020 selections, to potentially include in a deal.
Any speculation that Andrew Gaff could somehow be part of the deal to bring Kelly back to WA, or be involved in any kind of trade this year, appears dead and buried.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Sydney’s Zak Jones is another whose future appears uncertain at the moment following news that 2019 premiers the Richmond Tigers have an interest in him.
Jones has long been connected to St Kilda, but with multiple trade targets and no picks in the second or third rounds of this year’s draft, it’s unclear how the Saints will get a deal done for him.
That could open up room for Richmond to swoop on the deal. The Tigers have picks 19, 38 and 39 in this year’s draft.
The Tigers will also get a compensation pick of some kind from the departure of Brandon Ellis, who today agreed to an offer from Gold Coast to join the club as a free agent.
Because he’s a restricted free agent, Richmond have a three-day window in which to match the offer, with the deadline running out on 3pm Monday – but it’s not expected that they will do so.
Adam Tomlinson appears closer to making his move. The GWS Giants confirmed via a statement on Friday that he would depart the club as a free agent.
Melbourne’s list manager Jason Mahoney confirmed his club’s interest in Tomlinson and said the Demons hope to finalise the deal early next week.
In lesser news, Sydney confirmed on Friday that they have delisted James Rose and Durak Tucker from their side. Neither, at this stage, appears likely to draw interest from other clubs.
Fremantle have shown an interest in Richmond winger Connor Menadue, who could arrive at the club to fill some of the gap left by the expected departures of Brad Hill and Ed Langdon.
Maurice
Guest
As good as Gaff is , I am wondering why the Eagles don,t use as part of a deal. It could be a bit of a win win for both clubs. Eagles won the flag without him last year . And Geelong have Selwood Danger and co for mids a elite wingman could be there answer.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Truth hurts ultimately jonboy, Freo would be a unattractive option for an established player atm, a coach yes but no game plan a potential player could view, no direction as thats the CEO's job to set and a list that's going to lose 2 top five players and one top ten players within twelve months. I have a life and a club that won a premiership last year so the backyard is pretty well maintained, keep the hope up high mate cause you're still not getting Tim Kelly. I never said Freo was in turmoil I said there are obvious reasons why a player wouldn't consider them an attractive option atm, turmoil is your choice of words but that suits the evil wce supporters keeping us down narrative some Freo supporters thrive on for me that's a little immature
BBQ BILL
Guest
Groan...might as well dredge up Chardonnay and flat track bullies, lets wheel out the Cliche Trolley!
BBQ BILL
Guest
A low mud dredger huh...every club has their player problems, which generally reflect a societal problem.
BBQ BILL
Guest
How many players haven't gone to their nominated club? Who was forced to go to another club? If Joe Daniher has nominated Sydney, is it likely he will be made to go to GWS? The bias on here is palpable.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Adelaide also gave up Pick 50 to Geelong and also received a player as part of the trade - Dean Gore - albeit that Gore never played a game for either Adelaide or Geelong.
Sfr1
Roar Rookie
I’m a west coast fan but surely it’s non-controversial To say Geelong are being hugely contradictory with their Kelly position. After 2015 they picked up Dangerfield (I think 25years old) from Adelaide. Can’t imagine anyone would argue Dangerfield isn’t at least the equal of Kelly and they got him fromAdelaide for pick 9 and 28. Here are Gee not even willing to consider 2 years of first round picks (I know diff is Kelly not a free agent but not really the point) - all clubs lose top players but they also (Gold Coast not so much) get some back at times.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Weak, throw mud doesn't stick and run off, he received a move on notice much like Brad hill did they are very low level things mate but blow it out of proportion as you do. Won't be the last say cause you'll be back complaining about Kelly tomorrow and it will as always make little sense but humours none the less.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
No reports in the Geraldton Guardian said Police were called to the unit at 3 am regarding a domestic with his wife. But this is stupid you will carry on 24/7 i am going to the pool so you can have the last say. Probably catch you tomorrow. Cheers.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
It was roundly stated from Geelong over the year, there is news about sides that aren't Fremantle jonboy.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
He got a move on notice in Kalbarri very bottom end stuff mate keep to the facts and if you're delusional enough to think clubs have control over players making dumb mistakes when not there well nothing can help you. never said anything about the wce environment beyond the fact they have a ceo, longterm coach and it's players aren't asking to be traded to clubs who finished in the bottom five like Neale, Langdon and Hill. Shows to any person with common sense that the environment at wce would be better regardless of how hard done by you feel about it.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
This is all a mute argument. We can’t influence. If Tim makes a mistake, he will live it. In any case he is much better of than two years ago. I will feel good anyway.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
A Rhodes Scholar is impressive but the rest! :stoked:
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
So your even aware of Geelong's offer.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
No but I don’t get paid for my muscles.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
And left the scene, what about the domestic at Kalbarri . But give him a break he is only a kid and a dad being at WCE is obviously not helpful. All clubs experience problems .But you continue to say the eagles is the best environment but it clearly isn't .
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Not if your miserable, money can't help if you're stuck in a five year contract at a place you don't want to be, much like it sounds Tim doesn't want to be at freo or Geelong who did make him a very generous contract offer. Money isn't everything happiness is, that's why ppl who make decisions based on financial reward only are extremely miserable.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
See your so upset you keep trying to make the same joke, dude crashed a car while drunk oh geez still got a premiership medal so we'll get by.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Plenty of jibes about your concern that wce don't really want him coupled with Geelong are a better club , come on mate you think wce the most professional organisation in the league would rip off Tim haha they're silly jibes to make one feel better.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
My next door neighbour was a Rhodes Scholar and Premier of WA and a eagles supporter. But when it come to footy i was better and smarter.