Essendon coach Ben Rutten’s links to Adelaide could see Crows defender Daniel Talia land at the club during the upcoming trade period, according to SEN SA’s Michelangelo Rucci.
The 28-year-old defender becomes a restricted free agent at the end of next season but Rutten, who played with Talia between 2011 and 2014 at Adelaide, is reportedly making a play to secure his services.
Rucci said if Essendon offered Talia a longer-term deal, it would be a tough proposition to knock back.
“Ben Rutten is very, very interested in getting Daniel Talia out of the (Adelaide) football club,” he said on SEN SA Drive.
“He’s contracted for next year … but he’s a professional footballer. I’m hearing Rutten is keen on him.
“Surely Talia is in that group (that Adelaide won’t want to lose), you’ve got to have those experienced men at that footy club and he’d be number one choice to make sure he stays there.
“But we’re in a professional era and just say another club comes in and offers a four-year contract and (Adelaide) are offering two then you look after yourself don’t you.”
Talia was named in both the 2014 and 2016 All-Australian teams, while also winning the Adelaide best and fairest award in 2014.
The Essendon futures of veteran defensive duo Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker could be in doubt, with Channel 9 reporting over the weekend that they could look elsewhere due to reported unrest at the club.
South Australia-born small forward Orazio Fantasia has also been linked back to a move to his home state, following his failed trade request in 2019.