Carlton will quickly regroup in preparation for a mouth-watering “final elimination” against arch rival Collingwood next week, coach Michael Voss says.
Voss was trying to take positives out of Saturday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Demons, who stole a five-point victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to a classy Kysaiah Pickett goal with 11 seconds left in the game.
Shattered Blues players slumped to the ground on the final siren as Melbourne denied Carlton the opportunity to cement a finals berth for the first time since the 2013 season.
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Asked where it went wrong, Voss told reporters: “A bit of detail in the last couple of minutes didn’t quite get right, so I guess it’s easy to focus on that two minutes.”
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd, who was at the MCG on Saturday night, witnessed a frustrated Voss walk towards the Blues’ rooms after the final siren, before he u-turned, consoled his players and walked from the field with them.
“This is as bad as a home and away loss gets … I’ve lost a prelim by a point but this is as close to what you get with a home and away loss,” Lloyd told Channel 9’s The Sunday Footy Show.
Patrick Cripps of the Blues and Michael Voss leave after the loss. Picture: Mark StewartSource: News Corp Australia
“Vossy, he stands on the bench with the players and coaches from down there – he just started charging off on his own, disconsolate, hands in his pockets. He was going to head straight down to the rooms.
“Just as he got close, I reckon it triggered and he thought: ‘I can’t just go off and leave my players there.’ He turned back around, walked 60m back, he tapped every player on the bum, he and ‘Crippa’ (Patrick Cripps) walked down arm-in-arm.
“So I reckon he thought to himself: ‘I’ve got to be here with my players and we’ve got one week to try and salvage and turn this around.’”
With the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs, who are a win behind Carlton, set to start as favorites in their own do-or-die clash against Hawthorn next Sunday, the Blues simply must beat old foe Collingwood to cement a finals berth.
Carlton, vying to feature in September for the first time since 2013, will take on the miracle-working Magpies in a sequel to the thrilling Round 11 affair in which the Pies won by four points.
“It’s really exciting for us,” Voss said.
Patrick Cripps of the Blues and Michael Voss. Picture: Mark StewartSource: News Corp Australia
“I’ve spoken about the opportunity that’s there and it’s about exposure for us playing in these sorts of games. It can only be a good thing for us and how we grow and develop out of this as a footy team.”
Voss said his troops would relish the opportunity to take on the in-form Collingwood in front of an MCG crowd likely to exceed 80,000.
“It’s effectively an elimination final,” Voss said. “We know what the week holds.
“We’ll get back to work and turn up here next Sunday, in what will be a really big game. I’m sure it’ll be really built up.
“The energy that we brought today was just real excitement to be able to play these sorts of games. I hope we bring that same energy.”
Demons rob Blues on the Buzzer! | 03:03
The Blues are likely to regain Adam Cerra, who was a late withdrawal because of groin tightness but Voss conceded his side wouldn’t have the luxury of bringing fellow midfielders George Hewett and Matthew Kennedy back into the line-up despite the high-stakes nature of the clash.
“(Close) just couldn’t quite get going this morning,” Voss said.
“George (Hewett) is starting to get going a bit, but I think the prognosis for him is that if he does actually start to train it might be more towards the finals.”
Brodie Grundy reportedly walked away from a recent meeting with Melbourne very impressed.
Plus why the Power are well placed for the next few years and the two-club race for a Giants star.
Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!
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PIES STAR ‘BLOWN AWAY’ BY DEES IN MEETING
Brodie Grundy was reportedly “blown away” by Melbourne when the Collingwood star met with key Dees figures in recent weeks.
The Demons, as well as Geelong, last week emerged as “potential new suitors” for Grundy, who’s now central to ample trade speculation as the Pies consider offloading the 28-year-old’s lucrative contract — worth around $1 million per season until 2027 — to clear cap space for the likes of rival players Dan McStay, Bobby Hill and Tim Taranto.
Giants football boss Jason McCartney was seen meeting Grundy’s manager last month, while Port Adelaide has also been linked to the dual All-Australian.
While the Giants are now considered out of the race, the Dees have emerged as the front-runners for Grundy, who reportedly met with Melbourne figures, including coach Simon Goodwin, footy boss Alan Richardson and skipper Max Gawn, in recent weeks.
Lewis 50/50 on Gawn & Grundy tandem | 01:24
And SEN reporter Sam Edmund said Grundy liked what he saw from the Dees.
“He was so impressed by the vision Melbourne set, their professionalism and what they sold to him,” Edmund told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“It doesn’t mean that Melbourne are going for Brodie Grundy as a priority, I’m told they might want to go younger, they might want to go cheaper, but they have met with him and been very impressive getting in front of Brodie Grundy.”
Edmund pointed out the Dees also impressed Adam Cerra in a presentation, only for the midfielder to choose Carlton as Melbourne “didn’t have the levers to pull to get him in the door”.
While Goodwin last week didn’t confirm the club had met with Grundy, he said the Dees were keen to play two rucks next season amid Luke Jackson’s strong links to Fremantle.
Grundy, who hasn’t played an AFL game since Anzac Day due to a knee issue, had been nearing a return to the AFL before suffering a stress fracture in his ankle in a VFL match, ruling him out for the rest of the home and away season.
POWER PRIMED TO LAUNCH IN OFF-SEASON
Port Adelaide is well prepared to pounce on a star rival player at some stage over the next two years thanks to clever list decisions, reports the Herald Sun.
While the Power will miss finals this year after two straight preliminary final appearances in the previous two seasons, they’re in a good position to launch into the market either this year or next year.
the Herald Sun reported the Power have the capacity to be “bold and adventurous”, thanks to shrewd list management calls that have seen them generate more salary cap space than most other rival clubs.
Koch keeps Hinkley for 2023! | 02:49
According to the newspaper’s ‘AFL Rich 100’, which ranks the top 100 highest-paid players in the competition in 2022, only one Power player sits inside the top 50 – Brownlow Medalist Ollie Wines at $750,000 to $850,000 – with Scott Lycett (No. 75) and Charlie Dixon (No. 100) next in line.
It means they could make a big play for Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley or contracted Magpie Brodie Grundy, should either of them wish to move to South Australia.
The Power are preparing to lose wingman Karl Amon, who’s set to exercise his free agency rights and join a rival Victorian club.
TIGERS ‘RIGHT IN THE MIX’ FOR GIANTS STAR
Collingwood could have a fight on its hands to land Tim Taranto, with Richmond “coming hard” for the off-contract Giant.
The Giants, again, are set to be active during the upcoming AFL exchange period, with several players, including Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Tanner Bruhn and Bobby Hill linked to rival clubs.
Taranto has been linked to four Victorian-based clubs, but the Tigers and Magpies appear best placed to fight for his services.
Despite the strong links to Collingwood, SEN reporter Sam Edmund said the Tigers were “right in the mix” for Taranto.
Rutten optimistic Heppell will stay | 00:48
“I know he’s been linked heavily with Collingwood, but Richmond (is) coming hard for Tim Taranto as well,” Edmund told Crunch Time.
“If you’re sitting here right now, you’re saying he’s either going to be at Punt Road or Collingwood next year.”
Taranto, who is out of contract but not a free agent until 2024, would be worth a first-round draft pick, according to Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy.
The on-baller has played 113 games for the Giants since being drafted with Pick 2 in the 2016 draft. He won the club’s best and fairest in its Grand Final year of 2019.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville says his former team hit “a new low” during its embarrassing loss to Brentford before unleashing on the club’s owners for a hands-off approach that has created a “toxic” environment.
Erik ten Hag’s bad start as Manchester United manager descended into an embarrassment on Sunday morning (AEST) as a 4-0 thrashing by Brentford left the Red Devils bottom of the Premier League for the first time in 30 years.
United have now conceded four goals or more seven times in the Premier League since the start of last season.
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Brentford, who only ended a 74-year absence from English football’s top flight with promotion to the Premier League in August 2021, punished a series of errors to score four times in the first 35 minutes to spark joyous scenes at their west London ground.
United fell behind in woeful fashion when goalkeeper David de Gea somehow let a Josh Dasilva shot slip through his grasp before Mathias Jensen struck as the visitors failed to play out from the back. Ben Mee then exposed United’s frailty from set-pieces for his first Brentford goal and Bryan Mbuemo rounded off a stunning counter-attack 10 minutes before half-time.
David De Gea of Manchester United acknowledges fans following the defeat in the Premier League. Picture: Catherine IvilleSource: Getty Images
De Gea took the extraordinary step of voluntarily fronting the media post-game to take responsibility for the loss, telling Sky Sports: “I think I cost three points to my team today to be honest. It was a poor performance from myself… It was a horrible day.”
But ten Hag said he was the “main responsibility” for a humiliating loss.
The jubilant home support taunted Ten Hag with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning”. But the Dutch coach has inherited a rabble rather than being the root cause as United lost a seventh consecutive away league match for the first time since 1936.
“We all have seen the game. I think Brentford were more hungry and we conceded goals to individual mistakes,” said Ten Hag.
“You can have a good plan but that puts the plan in the bin.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Redknapp pointed to stats from the game that showed Brentford covered 109.4km during the match compared to Manchester United’s 95.6km
“That for me is just not good enough by any stretch of the imagination,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
Manchester United’s striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts as Brentford players celebrate. Picture: Ian KingtonSource: AFP
“You’re not always good, you can’t always play great – but you can always run around. That is so damning for that Manchester United team – I don’t care who the manager is, I don’t care who the owners are, that has got nothing to do with it. That is running for the shirt.
“That is a disgrace from their point of view. If you’re the manager and you go into the dressing room and you show them that, I would be so embarrassed a footballer
“From the players that started and finished that game, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more abject performance from a club that I would regard as one of the biggest in the world to play like that.
“I just don’t think they showed they cared.”
Neville said Manchester United players had now come under three different managers “they don’t work as hard as the teams they’re playing against”.
“How long have we been saying in football ‘hard work will beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard’? That Manchester United team don’t run hard enough, they don’t run fast enough,” Neville told Sky Sports.
Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag. Picture: Ian KingtonSource: AFP
“They are absolutely drained of all confidence, they’re struggling badly – and they have been now for 12 months.
“Today was a new low. It seems that continually Manchester United can surpass their previous lows – and when is the lowest low going to come? Because the reality of it is this is really, really bad.”
United were last crowned champions of England in the 2012/13 season in manager Alex Ferguson’s final campaign before retirement.
The arrival of £57 million ($69 million) centre-back Lisandro Martinez from Ajax has done little to shore up United’s leaky defense and questions will be asked of why Ten Hag has left Raphael Varane on the bench in favor of the Argentine and the out -of-sorts Harry Maguire.
While Ten Hag was keen to bolster his squad, he was adamant the team he sat out at Brentford was far better than this result indicated.
“It is clear we need players but I don’t want to think about that at this moment,” he said.
“The good players we had should have been better. I hoped for a better start, but still I have to believe because I have seen good things but the two games from now are disappointing.”
Former England full-back Neville – a longstanding critic of the Glazer family, the club’s US-based owners – slammed the hierarchy at Old Trafford for failing to give Ten Hag adequate support.
United fans are fuming. Picture: Catherine IvilleSource: Getty Images
“Manchester United have known for eight to 10 months they needed to rebuild the squad for the summer,” said Neville, now to Sky pundit.
“To not get the players in early, the quality of the players, the number of players that Erik ten Hag needed to be able to start the season, is baffling and difficult to forgive.”
Neville said the only money spent by Manchester United on players was from cash generated or borrowed “through its incredible fan base and a great commercial operation”.
“There’s a family over there in America who are just literally letting their employees take all the hits for them – and that is unforgivable,” Neville said.
“Joel Glazer has got to get on a plane… get over to Manchester and he’s got to start to divert the issues away from the club and tell everybody what the hell this plan is with the football club. What is he doing?
“You can look at the players all you like, but there are that many big things that need to be put right first, they’ve got to show up and basically face the music. Now’s the time. You can’t keep hanging over in Tampa and thinking that nothing’s going to come back to you.
Manchester United’s defender Harry Maguire. Picture: Ian KingtonSource: AFP
“These owners since Sir Alex Ferguson have proven in 10 years they cannot manage a forward-thinking football club. It’s been overtaken in every single department and it’s painful and it’s woeful.
“At this moment in time, there has been a toxic culture and atmosphere created at the club over a 10-year period without its leader, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, who were propping the club up whilst the family sat there in America glorifying the fact that they were part of it. We’re now seeing what has happened without Sir Alex Ferguson, without David Gill, without leadership. We’re now seeing what’s happening and it’s a mess.
“It cannot continue to go on.”
United host Liverpool, who beat their historic rivals 5-0 and 4-0 last season, in their next game on August 22.
AFL pundits have been left surprised by North Melbourne’s decision to drop No. 1 pick Jason Horne Francis for Saturday’s clash against the Crows in Adelaide.
The Kangaroos have named three inclusions for the match against Adelaide, with star veteran Ben Cunnington to make his highly-anticipated AFL return after beating cancer. Cunnington is joined on the side by key defender Ben McKay and father-son draftee Jackson Archer.
But the Roos also made a statement with their exclusions, dropping Horne-Francis, recruit Hugh Greenwood and key defender Josh Walker, while Flynn Perez was the club’s unused medical sub against Sydney last Sunday.
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Horne-Francis also wasn’t named in the emergencies, which is made up of Walker, Greenwood Atu Bosenavulagi and Josh Goater.
The 2021 No. 1 draft pick played in 12 of North’s first 13 games this season before copping a two-match suspension and returning via the VFL. But in his past four AFL games, Horne-Francis has kicked one goal and averaged 14.3 disposals.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 Plus on Thursday night, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt thought the call to drop Horne-Francis was “strange”.
“There’s two games to go in the year, I would think you’re trying to get games into these guys to expose them as much as you possibly can, give a potential coach like Alastair Clarkson a look at the young players and the game’s in Adelaide – that’s where all his family and friends (are). He was desperate to get back there earlier in the year, which created some issue,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King was also surprised by the decision.
“Why would you drop Horne-Francis? He’s going back to Adelaide to play in front of family and friends, why wouldn’t you give him that opportunity? I don’t understand that,” King told SEN.
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“Just put him there in front of his friends and family because he’ll want to perform.”
Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy told 3AW’s sports day that Horne-Francis’ non-selection for the Crows game was “a bookend to a pretty disappointing season”.
As well as reports Horne-Francis flew home to South Australia without the club’s awareness earlier this season, he also copped criticism for liking a ‘fake trade’ post on social media that involved him heading to Port Adelaide, while an on-field interaction with club great Todd Goldstein was also picked apart by footy commentators.
Jason Horne-Francis of the Kangaroos. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images
There’s also been speculation around Horne-Francis’ future and talk he could return to South Australia after putting off contract talks with the Kangaroos on a new deal beyond 2023.
While dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna thought it was an “unusual” selection move, he told AFL 360 Plus “tough love can hold you in better stead in the long term”.
“I think that’s the general consensus, ‘why not just play them’, but we’ve seen with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan sometimes some tough love in the short-term can actually hold players in better stead in the long-term,” Montagna told Fox Footy.
“Maybe there are still elements in his game that we don’t know about that he’s working on or he’s not buying into some goals that they want.”
Port Adelaide president David Koch has emphatically declared Ken Hinkley will see out his current contract and coach the club in 2023.
A question mark had been hovering over Hinkley and his position at the Power, despite being contracted to the club until next year and his defiant AFL 360 interview on Monday night where he said he expected to be at Alberton next year.
Amid mounting criticism over Hinkley’s coaching from fans, Koch said earlier this week “every single person’s role” would be assessed at the end of the season, which has seen the Power drop out of finals contention after back-to-back preliminary final runs.
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Koch spoke on 5AA radio on Monday and conceded the club was “not afraid to make change.” His comment from him, “turn it around or watch out”, fueled speculation there could be sweeping changes to the club’s football department.
But Koch confirmed to 7 News Adelaide on Thursday night Hinkley would remain at Alberton.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley with Chairman David Koch.Source: Twitter
“Obviously, for all of us, this season has been a major disappointment … (and) as we always do, we’ll thoroughly assess our football program at season’s end,” Koch told 7 News Adelaide.
“But, as the club has maintained all year, Ken Hinkley is contracted and will be our coach in 2023
“Prior to this season, Ken led us to two consecutive preliminary finals.
“Some will argue we should make a change based on our performance this season alone and that Ken has never taken the team to a grand finale.
“But we base decisions on all the information in front of us.
“We believe Ken gives us the best chance of successfully rebounding next season, of successfully attracting new talent and football department resources to make us better.”
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Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Thursday night, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said it was a “big backflip” from Koch that should never have happened.
“I like it from the point of view that it provides fodder for all of us to talk about, but Ken Hinkley must get to the end of the week and think: ‘What did I just go and endure – and for what?’” a passionate Riewoldt said on AFL 360.
“So Kochie comes out on Monday saying what he said after the CEO, the footy manager, everyone else in the club has been on the same page – and five days later he backflips on the statement? He could’ve said on Monday what he said tonight, but he chose not to – and by omission, he put Ken Hinkley under ridiculous, undue pressure this week. It was really poor.
“I think Ken’s probably got a reasonable tolerance for it now after all of this time, but I’d be scratching my head.”
Hinkley is Port’s second longest serving coach, behind the club’s sole AFL premiership coach in Mark Williams.
In his 10 seasons in charge, Hinkley has steered the Power to finals in four seasons and has a 60.8 per cent win rate from his 212 games as coach.
When asked directly on AFL 360 if he felt any uncertainty as coach after Koch’s “turn it around or watch out” comments, Hinkley replied: “No, no I don’t”.
Koch statement awkward for Hinkley? | 01:36
“David (Koch) himself has said that he expects me to be coaching Port Adelaide in 2023, as I do and that’s what I am preparing for,” he said.
“I think I’ve been given enough assurances (he’ll see out his deal) through the season, not that I needed them to be fair.
“We all get there’s a finish line for everyone at some point.
“But as I sit here tonight, I’m more than confident that that won’t be at the end of 2022.”
Hinkley said despite the outside pressure, his players “100 per cent” continued to back him in for an 11th season in 2023 – and final year of his current contract — saying:
“My players, they play for me every week. They play for us every week.
Carlton has omitted Tom De Koning, Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow for Saturday’s must-win game against Melbourne.
The Blues bring Marc Pittonet back into the side along with Liam Stocker, while they’ve named Patrick Cripps in the center as he awaits his fate at the AFL Appeals Board.
The Western Bulldogs have omitted Alex Keath for a second time this season, with Ryan Gardner coming into the side in his stead, while Lachie Hunter and Stefan Martin return.
Key forward Josh Bruce has been managed.
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Meanwhile, North Melbourne has made a couple of selection statements, with Hugh Greenwood, Jason Horne-Francis and Josh Walker omitted from the side that will take on Adelaide on Saturday.
As confirmed on Wednesday, veteran midfielder Ben Cunnington will play his first AFL game in 13 months, with Ben McKay and Jackson Archer also returning.
Dangerfield likely to face Suns | 01:17
Geelong has been boosted by the return of quartet Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Mark Blicavs and Gary Rohan to face the Suns. But they’ve managed Mitch Duncan, Isaac Smith and Mark O’Connor, while Luke Dahlhaus (omitted) and Jon Ceglar (medi-sub) also haven’t been named.
Brisbane has turned to a pair of Jack’s — Jaxon Prior and Jackson Payne — to replace injured duo Marcus Adams and Callum Ah Chee for their primetime match-up against the Saints.
St Kilda veteran Dan Hannebery has been ‘managed’ for Friday night’s clash against the Lions after suffering an ankle injury last round.
Fremantle has opted to bring Sam Switkowski straight into its senior team, with the small pressure forward to play his first AFL match since Round 13.
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Bomber Dylan Shiel, as well as Power forward duo Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades have been named for Sunday’s Essendon-Port Adelaide clash, but star veteran Robbie Gray has been managed.
Shane Edwards (Richmond), Liam Shiels (Hawthorn), Peter Ladhams (Sydney) and Ollie Henry (Collingwood) have all been named on the extended benches for their respective Sunday matches.
Carlton has omitted Tom De Koning, Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow for Saturday’s must-win game against Melbourne.
The Blues bring Marc Pittonet back into the side along with Liam Stocker, while they’ve named Patrick Cripps in the center as he awaits his fate at the AFL Appeals Board.
The Western Bulldogs have omitted Alex Keath for a second time this season, with Ryan Gardner coming into the side in his stead, while Lachie Hunter and Stefan Martin return.
Key forward Josh Bruce has been managed.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne has made a couple of selection statements, with Hugh Greenwood and Jason Horne-Francis omitted from the side that they will take on Adelaide on Saturday.
Brodie Grundy’s link to the Dees has strengthened after three key Melbourne figures met with the Pies ruck.
Plus while Essendon remains in negotiations with its skipper, it’s flagged preliminary interest in a North forward.
Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!
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KEY DEES TRIO MEET WITH PIES STAR
Not only is Melbourne interested in Brodie Grundy, the club has met with the star ruckman, according to Sportsday reporter Sam McClure.
the Herald Sun reported on Tuesday night that the Demons, as well as Geelong, had emerged as “potential new suitors” for Grundy, who’s now central to ample trade speculation despite being contracted to the Pies until the end of 2027 on a deal reportedly worth around $1 million per season.
Giants football boss Jason McCartney was seen meeting Grundy’s manager last month, while Port Adelaide has also been linked to the dual All-Australian.
Speaking on 3AW’s sports day on Tuesday night, McClure said the Dees had been proactive and met with Grundy “in recent days”.
“Simon Goodwin was definitely there, Alan Richardson was definitely there and Max Gawn was definitely there,” McClure told 3AW.
Jamie Elliot signs with Feet until 2025 | 00:37
“Clearly Melbourne are of the belief that Luke Jackson is going to Fremantle, so they are on the lookout early and are getting in early in the queue for a direct replacement.”
While Jackson appears increasingly likely to request a trade to Fremantle, the Demons are keen to continue with a two-ruck strategy — and pairing Gawn and Grundy would bring together two of the AFL’s premier ruckmen in the past decade.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae declared on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 last month he wanted Grundy at the club next season, but remained tight-lipped on whether he was up for trade.
Grundy, who hasn’t played an AFL game since Anzac Day due to a knee issue, had been nearing a return to the AFL before suffering a stress fracture in his ankle in a VFL match, ruling him out for the rest of the home and away season.
BOMBERS EYE OFF-CONTRACT ROO
Gun Kangaroos goalkicker Cameron Zurhaar has received “preliminary” interest from Essendon, SEN reports.
Zurhaar, who’s been one of the Kangaroos’ most important forward 50 players over the past four seasons, in May put off contract talks, with his manager Anthony McConville telling the Herald Sun the timing was “not right to have fruitful discussions”.
That call to park negotiations, though, came before North parted ways with senior coach David Noble. And Zurhaar has been in excellent form under caretaker coach Leigh Adams, booting 13 goals from his past four games — including four from 18 disposals and seven marks against Essendon in Round 20 — to take his season tally to a career-high 32.
Bombers inflict more misery on Kangaroos | 01:11
SEN reported the Bombers had “some interest” in Zurhaar, but the Roos also had hope he would re-sign with them after a senior coach is appointed.
The report also suggested the Bombers are looking to acquire a big-bodied midfielder during the AFL exchange period.
Zurhaar, 24, has blossomed at North since being selected as a rookie in 2016.
He’s been among the top two leading goalkickers at the club for the past four straight years, including topping the table in 2020 with 18 majors from 16 games.
HEPPELL GRILLED OVER FRESH SUNS LINK
Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell has been quizzed about his playing future amid reports of a juicy Gold Coast offer.
As Heppell weighs up a one-year offer to stay at Essendon, the Suns have reportedly upped their offer to the veteran defender and are prepared to offer him a two-year deal with the potential of a coaching future at the club post-playing career. .
While no formal deal had been tabled yet, SEN reported on Tuesday the Suns were preparing a four-year offer that would likely entail two seasons as a player then two as an assistant coach.
Suns succumb to Hawks hot streak | 02:07
Speaking to TV reporters on Tuesday, Heppell said his manager and the Bombers were “working through” negotiations, adding he was hopeful “something will be sorted soon.”
Asked if he was torn on his decision, Heppell told reporters: “We’re working through that at the moment. I’m really just honing in on trying to finish off the year well with the Dons and see how we go from there.”
Asked if a longer term deal would be more appealing, Heppell said: “Who knows at the moment? Everything will get sorted ASAP. I’m just trying to lead the club as best as I possibly can.”
As an unrestricted free agent, Heppell could walk to another club without a trade being made.
The ongoing Prison Bar jumper feud has taken a fresh twist, with Collingwood reportedly prepared to offer a teal-coloured alternative to Port Adelaide.
Power president David Koch was fuming earlier this month when he claimed he’d “been played” by the Magpies after the Power’s request to wear their heritage jumper, which features thin black and white stripes in a panel, was again knocked back by the Victorian club.
But the Herald Sun reported on Tuesday night the Pies were prepared to make a minor concession and allow the Power to wear their prison bar jumper once a season … if Port was happy for the white in the panels of the jumper to be replaced by teal stripes.
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Collingwood believes the compromise would allow Port to combine its proud SANFL heritage, which includes 36 SA league premierships, with its 25-year AFL history as teal has featured heavily in many Power jumpers since they entered the competition in 1997.
An agreement was put in place when Port Adelaide entered the AFL that the Prison Bar jumper could only be worn in AFL heritage rounds. But as there’s no longer one dedicated AFL-driven round by the AFL, the Power want to don their Prison Bar guernsey for one Showdown against the Crows per year – a request the Magpies have so far denied.
Connor Rozee wearing the Prison Bar strip at training in 2021. Picture: Dean MartinSource: News Corp Australia
“We always have discussions,” Magpies chief executive Mark Anderson told SEN last month, Port is a great football club and we do have great respect for them, so (we are) always happy to sit down and have a conversation and we have since signing that agreement as well,” he said.
“But as we stand here now, the agreement is the agreement.”
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Koch said earlier this month he was hopeful clubs could move “past these trivial arguments”, saying the club’s request was “logical, harming nobody and promoting the history of Australian football”.
“What we are asking for is entirely reasonable. To wear our iconic Prison Bar Guernsey in Showdowns to celebrate the heritage of Port Adelaide and South Australian football. Not against Collingwood, just two times a year, in Adelaide. I don’t see how it impacts anyone negatively at all,” he said.
Last year, the Power were threatened with the loss of premiership points if they wore the Prison Bar jumper against the AFL’s ruling for a Showdown.
Cheekily, the team waited until post-match to change out of their playing strip to don the heritage jumper.
