Tim English, free agency, offers, contract size, deals, Sam Taylor pre agency, latest – MASHAHER

There’s not many bigger names on the market this year than Western Bulldogs star ruckman Tim English.

And Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph expects the 26-year old will ultimately remain at Whiten Oval beyond 2024 on a deal as long as seven years at $7 million.

English, who’s eligible for free agency and is a West Australian native – with West Coast seen as a prime suitor to lure him back home – is among several big-name Bulldogs out of contract at season’s end including Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Bailey Smith.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Ralph believes all signs point to English re-signing with the Dogs on a big-money deal.

“Tim’s happy there, Tim’s loyal. His partner has come back from playing netball in WA. He’s got a house here and he wants to win premierships,” Ralph said.

“It’s going to be significant deal, but I think by Round 10, things will have gone in the right direction and he’ll re-sign with this football club.

“The seventh placing in last year’s best and fairest raised some eyebrows. (He would’ve wondered): ‘Do they rate me or not?’

“But I think the list management team headed by Sam Power have made it really clear that they want him.

“I think that deal would need be something like six or seven years at about $1 million … he’s going to get a million somewhere, so he might as well get it at the Western Bulldogs. There’s going to be 60 players on $1 million by next year, that’s just what the market forces tell you.

“He’s already on say $800,000.”

Ralph took issue with criticism towards English, who’s coming off a career-best 2023 season where he claimed All-Australian honours for the first time in his career.

“I know a lot of people have potted him, but he kicked 16 goals last year and is the best ruckman competition. He’s a follow up ruckman who also wins possessions,” Ralph added.

“He has impact, he’s not just a behind the play, skirting around trying to get lose kicks type ruckman.”

Despite the potential pull to return to WA, Herald Sun reporter Sam Lansberger said to keep an eye on a potential rival Victorian club making a big play for the star ruckman.

“If I had one prediction, it would be that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would re-sign first, and I wouldn’t discount Tim English leaving.

“But not for West Coast, I think there’s potentially a Victorian suitor that could put their hand up and really appeal to him.”

TAYLOR SET TO DRAW MASSIVE OFFERS

Giants ‘pre-agent’ Sam Taylor is reportedly set to draw massive offers north of $1 million per season from rival clubs including those in his Western Australia home state, reports The Age.

Set to hit free agency next year – also known as a ‘pre-agent’ – the star GWS defender is set to be one of the most-sought after players if indeed he explores the market.

According to The Age, the 24-year old’s manager, Trevor Clisby from StrategyOne, recently held preliminary contract talks with the Giants, who are weary of the rival offers that would come his way.

“I still feel like it’s ages away, (we will) wait and see, and I love it here at this club,” Taylor said on his free agency call, per The Age.

“The Giants are a great group, I feel like we have a really bright future – there are so many special players here, and I feel like we can push for the next four or five years.

“I just want to play for a club that goes out there and wins games. I love winning, and (the) Giants are in a spot where we can do that and there’s no better feeling than playing finals and winning games. That’s what I want to do – I want to be at a successful club and probably none better than the Giants at the moment.

“It’ll be a bit interesting (contract speculation) because I’ve usually signed a year or two in advance, so I don’t mind what people say … it’s my decision.”