Clubs look set to pay top dollar for recruits this off-season as the market heats up for players seeking new homes.
According to the Herald Sun, one star that’s set for a payday at a new club is GWS’ Tim Taranto, with the midfielder set to request a trade to Richmond after being offered a deal worth $750,000 per season for seven years.
With Taranto’s deal set to become a benchmark, Kane Cornes questioned why that sort of money was offered as he doesn’t consider the 24-year-old in the “top echelon” of players at his position.
As other midfielders like Josh Dunkley and Tom Mitchell could also be on the move, Cornes pondered whether they’d now seek similar offers to Taranto’s.
“If you’re Josh Dunkley, you’re looking at what the other midfielders are getting,” Cornes said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“He’s a better player than Tim Taranto, who’s got seven years at $750,000 (a season).
“That’s the sort of money you’ve got to pay to get a player out of their club, it’s going to cost them a lot.
“I wouldn’t be paying any midfielder that’s not Dustin Martin or the absolute top echelon $750,000 a year for seven years.”
Dunkley in particular has been linked to a move to Port Adelaide, with club great Cornes revealing that the Power are definitely “keen” on acquiring his services.
In reference to the 25-year-old, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he “understands” if Dunkley sought a move if it meant he received a better financial opportunity.
“(Bulldogs List and Recruiting General Manager) Sam (Power) is talking to Josh's management and will continue to do that,” Beveridge said post the club’s Elimination Final loss to Fremantle.
“There are some unknowns. The free market as far as the player market gets heightened every year. The scope to move clubs, whether free agency or in contract is significant.
“We all have to manage our situation within the ceiling of the salary cap. We're desperate, we hope Josh is going to stay, but I can't tell you whether he is or whether he isn't.
“I can tell you absolutely that the relationships are really strong. If there is a reason to leave the club, it might be for opportunity and the short lifespan of an AFL footy, you have to make hay financially as much as you can, and we understand that.”
Like Taranto, Dunkley is now without a contract at his current club for 2023 and beyond.
The pair are not free agents and will need to request a trade to land at a rival club.
"I wouldn't be paying any midfielder that's not Dustin Martin, or in the absolute top echelon, 750k a year for seven years."@kanecornes on the reported Tigers offer to Tim Taranto, as @barrettdamian gives us all the latest on the trade front. #9AFLSFS | Watch on @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/nk4sSukiP4
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 4, 2022