Tom Morris has offered the latest on a number of players and factors in the upcoming 2023 Trade Period.
See below for updates on Todd Goldstein, Mabior Chol, Dylan Shiel and more.
Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne, unrestricted free agent)
“St Kilda asked the question, but that didn’t go anywhere. Essendon is the hot favourite, they’ve been on the hunt for him and he leaves with the Kangaroos’ blessing,” Morris became on SEN's Crunch Time.
“The prospect of becoming a coach after he retires and being in a new environment is what appeals to him as well.”
Brodie Grundy (Melbourne, contracted)
“There’s been a bit of information about his salary that’s gone out and some confusion.
“Collingwood’s commitment to his salary is to Brodie Grundy. So Collingwood will be paying a portion of Grundy’s salary wherever he plays. He could play at a different club for the next four years and Collingwood would continue to pay it.
“How much Sydney pays will be dependent on their deal with Melbourne. So Collingwood will pay some of Grundy’s salary and that won’t change.
“If the Swans give the Demons a good draft pick I think they would be more open to paying a little bit of Grundy’s salary than if they got pick 35 or pick 40.
“I think the most likely scenario is Grundy is paid by the Swans and Collingwood, but there are other ways it can be sorted. It would he highly unusual for three clubs to pay one player, but it could happen.”
Ben McKay (North Melbourne, restricted free agent)
“Ben McKay’s decision wasn’t a surprise that he was leaving, but it was between Essendon and Hawthorn and they were duking it out right until the very end.
“The Hawks were confident, the Bombers were confident… North does have the ability to match any offer.
“A long-term deal at $750,000 per year, that will get the Roos’ pick three and that will see McKay walk to Essendon.
“The Bombers are stoked, the Hawks are flat, but Essendon’s presentation, I’m told, was the real clincher here. i “t included only players. Jordan Ridley, Andrew McGrath, Mason Redman and Zach Merrett, and they won him over.
“Ridley and McKay are close as well. So I’m not sure what didn’t appeal to him at the Hawks, but I know he was seduced by Essendon. He’s played under Brad Scott before and this deal will get done.
“It’s a big win for Essendon and this was exactly what they were hoping for and it sends the Hawks back to the drawing board.”
Mabior Chol (Gold Coast contracted)
“Mabior Chol is being chased by three clubs and I’m prepared to say today he will not be at Gold Coast next year.
“He’s got a two-year deal still remaining, but given the Crows, the Lions and the Hawks have all shown interest I think Chol will be at one of those three clubs.”
Jade Gresham (St Kilda, restricted free agent)
“Essendon is very keen on Gresham. There is some reporting in the Herald Sun around the potential for Dylan Shiel to get to St Kilda via a trade and for Gresham to get to Essendon via free agency, and that compensation would then allow St Kilda to get Liam Henry.
“I’m not even sure if that is allowed… but Dylan Shiel’s name is being bandied around quite a lot. He’s got one-year left on the deal and I’m confident that if a club came to him and offered him two or three years and it worked for Essendon, then that’s something that he and the club would consider.”
Gold Coast’s pick 4
“There’s a clear front-runner now and it’s the Western Bulldogs. They’ve got picks 10, 17 and 36, which gives the Gold Coast Suns what they want.
“This doesn’t mean that Melbourne or Adelaide or any other club is completely out of it, but I do think it is the Dogs’ to lose now and I think there’s an acknowledgement from the Suns that the Dogs are the frontrunners, too.”
Elliott Himmelberg (Adelaide, contracted)
“Elliott Himmelberg is on GWS’ radar. Harry Himmelberg’s brother, he’s contracted to Adelaide for next year, they would like to bring him in which might spell trouble for Lachie Keeffe, who is out of contract…
“The one to watch from the Giants is Nick Haynes. He’s contracted for next year on a seven figure sum… cubs are aware that they can get him, as long as they’re willing to foot that bill for the year.
“I’m intrigued to see how that plays out over the next month or so.
Tom Doedee (Adelaide, restricted free agent)
“One more to watch… his decision could be this week, we’ll have to wait and see. We know the Lions like him, the Collingwood Football Club also like him.
“Hawthorn is not interested.”