SEN’s Tom Morris believes Essendon free agent Mason Redman is more than likely set to stay a Bomber beyond 2023.
While Redman, a South Australian, reportedly has significant interest from the Crows, Morris says the Bombers are very confident that the dashing defender will stay with the club engaged in contract talks with his manager.
“There’s a bit on Mason Redman’s future, I think he’s more likely to stay,” Morris told SEN Sportsday.
“The Adelaide Crows didn’t want to speak specifically on Mason Redman, clearly, he has family in South Australia.
“But my information is he’s more likely to stay than go.
“This is because his manager Ben Williams is still negotiating with Essendon over a new contract.
“The Bombers are very confident he’s going to stay.”
While Morris concedes clubs often suggest they’re confident players will stay on, he feels Essendon genuinely believe Redman will remain at the club as he hasn’t parked contract talks.
“Sometimes you speak to clubs behind the scenes, and they’ll say, ‘We’re confident’, but you know they’re lying, they’re not that confident,” Morris said.
“Luke Jackson was a great example of that last year, there was pessimism for the entire year over whether Luke Jackson would stay, and it played out that way.
“But Essendon is legitimately confident that he’s going to stay.
“He hasn’t parked his contract talks, he’s a free agent and I think you’d be silly to leave Essendon given the way they’re playing, and the way Mason Redman is playing as well.”
Even though Adelaide has become somewhat of a destination club in recent years, Morris expects the 25-year-old to pen a long-term deal to remain a one-club player.
“I think South Australia is the most likely destination,” Morris said.
“The Crows have the cap space. I’m hesitant to call them a destination club, but they have been a destination club for a couple of players in the last few years with Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine.
“But Essendon is very confident that he’s staying on a long-term deal and that they’ll come to an arrangement.”
Channel Seven’s Mitch Cleary believes Redman could attract a deal near $750,000 a year on the open market.
The half-back is averaging 21.8 disposals, 3.3 tackles and 5.3 rebound 50s a game in 2023.