Essendon has reportedly said ‘no’ to new contracts for a pair of senior players.
Meanwhile, a Victorian club is reportedly launching a second pursuit of a West Coast forward in as many seasons.
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Huge hit sparks TWO simultaneous brawls! | 01:07
BOMBERS PAIR’S CONTRACT DRAMA
Essendon has reportedly denied new contracts to a pair of veteran players.
Contracted pair Jake Stringer and Jayden Laverde were said to have met with the Bombers regarding new deals, but the club prefers short-term arrangements for the duo, per Nine’s Sam McClure.
“Some interesting news and some developing news at Essendon,” McClure began on 3AW on Friday.
“Yesterday — I’ve spoken to the club about this and had it confirmed — Jayden Laverde and Jake Stringer and their manager (they are managed by the same person), met with Brad Scott, the list manager Matt Rosa, and the chief executive Craig Vozzo yesterday — both players were seeking contract extensions.
“Now, they’re both contracted for season 2025 — Laverde coming towards the end of his deal, Stringer triggered a clause in his contract which meant that he got given a deal for 2025 — but the club and Brad Scott were firm in saying ‘no, we’re not going to give you an extensions, and if you’d like longer deals than you currently have, you’re welcome to look elsewhere’.”
It is an intriguing development, particularly in the case of Stringer, who could be tempted to a third AFL club this off-season if he desires more than a one-year term.
“If you’re Carlton, Hawthorn or Geelong, do you want a 42-goal forward? That’s only one less Jamarra Ugle-Hagan,” Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday night.
“Do you have a throw at the stumps to try and pry him out of Essendon and get him to a third club? … It’s a fascinating situation.
“There’s a situation, here, for Brad Scott whether he wants to reshape the list, send a statement and change things up — potentially culturally as much as on the field.”
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ROOS RENEW EAGLE PURSUIT
North Melbourne is reportedly pursuing veteran West Coast forward Jack Darling once again.
The Kangaroos looked into targeting Darling last year, and according to The West, that interest has resurfaced as the Arden Street occupants look to bolster their burgeoning list with established veterans.
The report states the Roos would be willing to offer Darling a multi-year deal to play under Alastair Clarkson, while in terms of trade compensation, a late-round draft choice might be enough to strike an agreement.
The 32-year-old is slated to hit unrestricted free agency next year at the expiration of his five-year Eagles deal, with The West also reporting West Coast rejected North Melbourne’s idea that the Eagles pay $200,000 of Darling’s 2025 salary.
The 298-gamer played 21 senior matches this season and has been mightily durable throughout his glittering AFL career, never playing less than 15 games in a season across his 14-year tenure.
Darling, drafted back in 2010 out of West Perth, kicked 22 goals this season — a career-low — but is said to believe he has more than one AFL season left in him.
North Melbourne currently holds Picks 40, 58 and 64 in the later rounds of this November’s national draft.
Source Agencies
