Darcy Parish’s stocks are rising by the week as Essendon look to lock away the in-form midfielder to a new contract.
Parish broke the record for the most disposals ever by a Bombers player in Saturday night’s Dreamtime loss to Richmond, collecting 44 touches to win the Yiooken Medal as best afield.
With Parish coming out of contract at season’s end and currently in career-best form, Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis was asked what the 23-year-old is worth.
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“I’d go $650,000,” Lewis told Fox Footy.
“I think he’s done enough this season. I think his game has gone to another level, he’s matured a lot, he’s played well in big games which is a good sign of maturity.
“He’s around the $600,000-$650,000 mark for me.”
Essendon is also looking to re-sign star on-baller Zach Merrett with several rival clubs reportedly chasing the unrestricted free agent.
Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson believes the Bombers shouldn’t pay Merrett anything more than $800,000 a season.
“I’m talking what the Essendon Football Club should pay him,” Johnson explained.
“He’ll get more on the open market. If he’s going to stay at Essendon, it’s around that mark for me.”
Lewis added: “I’d pay him (Merrett) the same as Darcy Parish. I go on current form.”
SEN’s Sam Edmund recently reported that Essendon remain confident of re-signing Parish, Merrett and off-contract forward Jake Stringer.