One of the big developments in the AFL landscape in recent years has been ‘pre-agency’, with clubs targeting players a year before they come out of contract and hit free agency.
One fascinating player in that regard is Sydney’s Chad Warner, who has become one of the game’s star midfielders in his first 60 career games.
He is contracted until the end of 2025 and will be a restricted free agent, with the East Fremantle product likely to be targeted by both West Australian clubs.
Fremantle great Paul Hasleby believes West Coast in particular should be eyeing off the 22-year-old.
“He is a gun. He is a weapon when he gets the ball in congestion and runs through the front of the stoppage and that’s what footy is all about now,” Hasleby told SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“He’s going to warrant a good deal – Sydney have got to try and re-sign all these players and there will be pressure (from the Perth teams) and Chad Warner will be offered a fair bit of money from both clubs.
“Maybe not too much from Freo, but I think West Coast, to help out Tim Kelly, we know (Andrew) Gaff’s getting towards the back end, Dom Sheed we’re not sure about, they have younger players coming through that may take a few seasons.
“I think West Coast will be in the mix there if he does decide that he wants to venture back home.”
Hasleby believes the Eagles would potentially have to stump up seven figures per season to get the deal done.
“Provided he has a really good season this year, you’d think he’s $850,000-$900,000 and given if you were to get him out of Sydney he may be a little more than that, so he may be a $1,000,000 player,” he said.
“I think he is worth it on the salary, but when it comes down to giving away your picks, I think that’s where maybe you just back in Reuben Ginbey, back in Harley Reid, back in Elijah Hewett to develop a little bit quicker.”
2024 could be a big year on the recruiting front for the Eagles, with WA products Tim English (Western Bulldogs) and Logan McDonald (Sydney) out of contract at the end of the season.