Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Credit: The Age
As top-10 draft picks from Tasmania, it could be argued the perfect timing for North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher and the Western Bulldogs’ Ryley Sanders to arrive on the scene would have been this year.
That would have seen their initial standard playing contract expire at the end of 2027 on the eve of the Tasmania Devils’ expected entry into the competition in 2028.
Tasmanians Colby McKercher (North Melbourne) and Ryley Sanders (Western Bulldogs).Credit: Getty
As it stands, being drafted in the 2023 national draft is the next best thing as it guarantees the pair – based on their current form – will be in hot demand whenever they come out of contract post-2027.
When that will be remains to be seen.
The pair are contracted until the end of 2026, so they can wait for the next 18 months if they wish before deciding to extend with their current club. In an ideal world, the Bulldogs and Kangaroos would be open to offering them deals beyond 2027. Or they could just extend by one year to come out of contract at the end of 2027, flagging their interest in being available for the new team, creating, at the very least, competitive tension before signing any deal beyond that.
Right now, neither Sanders or McKercher are expected to be in any rush, particularly with the Tassie Devils’ list establishment rules still a work in progress and unlikely to be finalised before next month. The Bulldogs and Kangaroos are fine with that, too, knowing that all they can control is keeping their players comfortable, developing well and playing good football. On that front, both clubs are doing a good job.
AFL Media gave good insight into the league’s current thinking about those list-establishment rules when it reported the new club could be forced to trade some high picks for uncontracted players when they enter the competition. Pardon the pun, but the devil remains in the detail, with ongoing meetings yet to determine whether such a plan would fulfil competitive balance objectives.
As two competition sources pointed out to this column, any pick marked as “must be traded for an uncontracted player” would be immediately devalued.
The quality of the 2027 draft pool and the compensation awarded to clubs if they lose an uncontracted player might make clubs more comfortable contracting players such as Sanders and McKercher, who could expect at least $500,000 a year in their fourth season, until 2027 anyway.
Brendon Gale is the inaugural chief executive of the Tasmania Devils.Credit: Getty Images
Already the Tassie Devils are signalling to managers they should consider finishing contracts of certain players at the end of 2027, despite being unable to guarantee them a list spot.
One competition source said it would be interesting to see whether clubs were as prepared to offer veteran players they want to keep one-year deals when the Devils enter the competition, knowing the appeal the new club might have for those in the twilight of their careers.
The club know they have a good list of already-contracted players coming out in 2027, with the Giants’ Tom Green – who played his 100th game on Sunday – a potential target as he will be a free agent in the prime of his career when the Devils come on board.
The Tigers will also be keen to lock in No.1 pick and emerging star Sam Lalor beyond his 2027 deal, now that round six has passed and that is allowed. He would be a brilliant coup for any new team, but has quickly become a favourite at Punt Road.
Collingwood matchwinner Jordan De Goey, who is contracted until 2027, will be a 32-year-old when the Tassie Devils enter the competition in 2028. Credit: AFL Photos
The list of players who come out of contract at the end of 2027 includes Adelaide’s Izak Rankine, the Lions’ Kai Lohmann, Collingwood’s Jordan DeGoey, Fremantle’s Caleb Serong, Geelong’s Sam De Koning, Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, Melbourne’s Harvey Langford, Sydney’s Chad Warner and the Bulldogs’ Cody Weightman.
Whether it includes McKercher and Sanders won’t be known for a while. – Peter Ryan
Melbourne on the right track with McVee
Melbourne have begun negotiations to extend the contract of highly rated running defender Judd McVee, who made his return to the AFL in round eight after overcoming a significant hamstring injury suffered on the eve of the season.
Judd McVee’s season was delayed by a hamstring injury, but he is a key part of the Demons’ immediate future. Credit: Getty Images
The discussions have been positive and are expected to accelerate in the middle of the season for the West Australian, who has proved an inspired selection for the Demons, who used pick 18 in the 2022 rookie draft to add him to their list.
He played every match in his first two seasons before the injury which held up discussions slightly as he opted to focus on football safe in the knowledge the Demons were keen to retain him.
Negotiations are centring on a short-term deal for the 21-year-old, who has played 51 games for the Demons since making his debut in round one 2023.
Zach Reid reads the play very well
Marc McGowan
In-form Essendon defender Zach Reid is prioritising longer-term security over money as he emerges as one of the AFL’s most promising key-position players.
Reid played only nine games across his first four seasons because of illness, two back stress fractures, three hamstring setbacks and a pectoral rupture.
The Bombers selected the 23-year-old at No.10 in the 2020 national draft, behind teammates Nik Cox and Archie Perkins, so they invested plenty in him, in the expectation he would be a big part of their future.
Reid has had a strong start to the season in defence for the Bombers.Credit: Getty Images
Reid, who has played all eight matches this season, picked up AFL Coaches’ Association votes for the second time in three games on Saturday, amassing career-highs of 27 disposals and 14 marks in Essendon’s win over Sydney.
His contract expires at season’s end, but he told The Age that he wanted to stay at the Bombers.
“Initially, I said, ’I’ll just get in, and try and play some consistent footy [after my injuries],” Reid said.
“For me, security is the main thing, and [having a longer contract] gives you time.
“It’s like, ‘OK, I’ve got a few years here; I can just lock in, get everything right, do everything right, and then you can sort of just go from there’.
“It’s only early stages [of negotiations], but I’m sure that will play out.” – Marc McGowan
Hill backs Wanganeen-Milera
Jon Pierik
Where St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera plays next season remains uncertain as the laid-back running defender keeps his cards close to his chest amid massive interest from Port Adelaide and Adelaide, who are attempting to lure the unsigned star back to South Australia.
Wanganeen-Milera celebrates a goal with Brad Hill during the Saints round seven clash with the Lions. Credit: Getty Images
James Gallagher, who was list manager when the Saints drafted Wanganeen-Milera in 2021, is now on the Crows’ board, while the Saint is good friends with Port Adelaide pair Jason Horne-Francis and Trent Burgoyne.
But the unflappable 22-year-old is enjoying his year at the Saints, where he has been in excellent form. He would be close to leading their best and fairest award after nine games after finishing fifth last season.
Saints’ veteran Brad Hill, who started his career with Hawthorn then played for the Dockers before joining St Kilda, said he was supporting Wanganeen-Milera through the decision-making process, and hoped he remained at Moorabbin.
“I am very close to ‘Naz’. I always have him around at my house. I am just there to give him the support, make him feel safe and comfortable in the environment he is at,” Hill said on Tuesday at the launch of Sir Doug Nicholls round.
“I always have the Indigenous boys around at my house, always around my kids, have them around for a barbecue, so we are pretty close.”
Hill said Wanganeen-Milera was a key player in the Saints’ plans to re-emerge as an AFL power.
“Naz is, obviously, an exceptional player for us and has been playing some outstanding footy,” Hill said.
“We are hoping that he can stay at the club. That decision is in his hands. Him and his manager will work through that.
“I hope Naz can stick around. He has been playing some unreal footy. Hopefully, he can be consistent throughout the year, and [we’ll] see what happens.”
