As his side enters a crucial stage of the season, star Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps will face Match Review Officer scrutiny after a collision with Cal Ah Chee led to the Brisbane defender being subbed out of Sunday’s game.
Cripps copped jeers from Lions fans at The Gabba after making contact with Ah Chee during the second quarter of the Blues’ clash with Brisbane at The Gabba.
Ah Chee leapt into the air and got hands on the ball before Cripps also jumps off the ground and makes contact from behind. Ace Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph pointed out on Fox Footy, Cripps braced rather than reached for the ball yet it wasn’t a marking contest, nor did it appear Cripps was contesting the ball.
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Ah Chee was helped from the ground before being subbed out under concussion protocols and replaced by Mitch Robinson.
Speaking on Fox Footy, Ralph said Cripps’ incident could be assessed by the MRO as medium or even high impact, which would lead to a suspension of multiple weeks.
While Cripps’ accidental landing may have contributed to Ah Chee’s injury, Ralph said precedent indicated that it wouldn’t necessarily help Cripps’ case. Ralph pointed to the ban Magpie Brayden Maynard copped in March, despite a secondary action playing a role in Giant Daniel Lloyd’s injury.
“He’s much more likely to be suspended than not. The AFL’s bottom line is if you choose to bump, you’re responsible for the fallout,” Ralph told Fox Footy.
“This is a textbook case. He jumps off the ground, it’s not a marking contest, he doesn’t really contest the ball, he braces rather than reaches for the ball.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of middle ground. It’s either a football incident and an accident and he gets off, or it’s got the potential to be high impact given the concussion and he could miss two weeks
“It’s probably going to go to court, it’s certainly going to be scrutinized very heavily by Michael Christian. I think he’s in trouble.”
Carlton needs to win at least one more match to secure a 2022 finals berth. But should the Blues lose to the Lions on Sunday then be without their skipper for clashes against Melbourne and Collingwood, their task will be more difficult.
Callum Ah Chee of the Lions was subbed out. Picture: Bradley KanarisSource: Getty Images
Cripps is also fifth favorite to take out this year’s Brownlow Medal.
“We’re watching in slow motion unfortunately and there’s not a lot of time to think,” triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy. “When ‘Crippa’ decided to take off and contest that ball, he wasn’t quite sure of the timing of it all.
“I think he should get off, I think it’s a football incident. But Jonny Ralph knows the precedent better than anyone.”
Triple All-Australian Eddie Betts added: “It’s a tough one to judge, because he turns his body right at the end. But Callum Ah Chee is convicted and gone off.”
Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes has accused Sydney Swans forward Lance Franklin of selfishness, suggesting the eight-time All-Australian’s contract saga is distracting his teammates ahead of the finals.
Earlier this week, Nine journalist Michael Atkinson reported that Franklin was considering turning his back on the Swans for a deal with the Brisbane Lions.
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But on Saturday, Franklin’s management released a statement confirming the 35-year-old was still “undecided” about his future in the sport, officially putting contract talks on hold and hinting at a possible retirement.
“At this stage conversations have been paused around my contract so I can put all my focus on playing footy,” Franklin said.
“No further comment will be made until the season is done and I have decided about my future.
“I am still undecided and need time after the season to make a family decision about whether I continue to play next year.”
Speaking on Channel 9’s AFL Sunday Footy ShowCornes argued that Franklin’s “very strange” statement didn’t stop speculation about his future in the sport, but rather fanned the flames.
“It was a very ‘me, me, me’ thing to do, I thought, from Buddy Franklin when the Sydney Swans are flying,” he said on Sunday morning.
“They’d paid him $10 million over nine years… I’m not sure you need to release a statement prior to the game.
“What was the point of Buddy doing that?
“It didn’t alleviate any of the talk. It made the talk fester more.
“The day before a game to release a statement like that, I thought it was very strange.”
Franklin has been in excellent form this season, kicking 41 goals in 17 games for Swans. However, the ongoing contract drama has become a significant distraction for John Longmire’s side as they approach September.
Lions coach Chris Fagan believes that if Franklin is considering a move to Queensland it would be more likely to be for retirement rather than continuing his football career.
“I would have thought if they are moving to Queensland, that’s perhaps an indication that Bud’s going to retire from AFL football,” he said on Friday.
“If it came to pass down the track that they do move here, and. someone reaches out from his camp and suggests that he still wants to play, then we would be remiss as a footy club not to go and have a conversation with him.
“As far I’m concerned he’s a Sydney Swans player, and if any of that was going to happen, it would happen when the season’s all over.
“My latest communication with him was a text message I sent to him when he kicked his 1000th (AFL) goal which was four months ago.
“I don’t know what will play out in the future but the way I see it right now is if he is moving to Queensland to live, I would suggest that he’s going to retire.”
Franklin joined the Swans from the Hawthorn Hawks in 2014 on a nine-year, $10 million deal.
While he has been injured prone in recent years, the scenes of fans flooding onto the SCG when he kicked his 1000th career goal showed he is still one of the sport’s biggest drawcards.
The Swans will face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the first bounce scheduled for 1.10pm AEST.
Sydney Swans forward Lance Franklin is still “undecided” about his future in the sport, officially putting contract talks on hold and hinting at a possible retirement.
According to a report by Nine reporter Michael Atkinson, the 35-year-old is considering turning his back on the Swans for a deal with the Brisbane Lions.
The Nine report was immediately countered by Swans chief executive Tom Harley, who confessed the veteran forward’s move to Brisbane was “news to him”.
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Sports broadcaster Andy Maher later claimed Franklin would stay with the Sydney-based club, potentially on a one-year contract extension.
“I can’t say where it came from, but Franklin’s not going to Brisbane,” he told SEN on Friday.
“He’s not going, he’s going to stay at Sydney and they’re in the throws of working out the contract, so it does sound like he’s going to play another year at the Swans if this information is true and where it’s coming from is pretty strong.”
On Saturday morning, Franklin’s manager Adam Finch released a statement confirming contract talks had been put on hold so the 1000-goal hero could focus on Sydney’s run towards the finals.
“At this stage conversations have been paused around my contract so I can put all my focus on playing footy,” Franklin said.
“No further comment will be made until the season is done and I have decided about my future.
“I am still undecided and need time after the season to make a family decision about whether I continue to play next year.”
Franklin has been in excellent form this season, kicking 41 goals in 17 games for Swans. However, the ongoing contract drama has become a significant distraction for John Longmire’s side as they approach September.
Speaking to Fox Footy, former Hawthorn forward Ben Dixon argued that Franklin has more chance of “playing on the moon than Victoria” next year.
“I reckon there’s some real merit in (rumors of the Brisbane move),” he said.
“My gut feels is yes (he’ll leave Sydney).
“He’s more chance of playing on the moon than in Victoria.
“Going for one more tilt, going to a different club, it’s not going to tarnish anything about your reputation in the game.
“He’s only going to go north.
“He’s a Perth boy, but you can rule out those two clubs (Fremantle and West Coast). You can rule out the Giants. It’s a process of elimination – the Gold Coast or it’s Brisbane.
“Brisbane’s right in the wheelhouse to win it. If it’s not this year, they still have got a little tilt next year.
“I know his motivation in signing a long-term deal with Sydney was sustainable success.
“I think his drive and his motivation – he wants to win a flag.
“He could be the hottest property in Queensland.
“If you look at it and you say, ‘Who’s closer to the flag (Gold Coast or Brisbane)?’ Well, there’s no doubt Brisbane are.”
Lions coach Chris Fagan believes that if Franklin is considering a move to Queensland it would be more likely to be for retirement rather than continuing his football career.
“I would have thought if they are moving to Queensland, that’s perhaps an indication that Bud’s going to retire from AFL football,” he said on Friday.
“If it came to pass down the track that they do move here, and. someone reaches out from his camp and suggests that he still wants to play, then we would be remiss as a footy club not to go and have a conversation with him.
“As far I’m concerned he’s a Sydney Swans player, and if any of that was going to happen, it would happen when the season’s all over.
“My latest communication with him was a text message I sent to him when he kicked his 1000th (AFL) goal which was four months ago.
“I don’t know what will play out in the future but the way I see it right now is if he is moving to Queensland to live, I would suggest that he’s going to retire.”
Franklin joined the Swans from the Hawthorn Hawks in 2014 on a nine-year, $10 million deal.
While he has been injury prone in recent years, the scenes of fans flooding onto the SCG when the eight-time All-Australian kicked his 1000th career goal showed he is still one of the sport’s biggest drawcards.
The Swans will face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the first bounce scheduled for 1.10pm AEST.
Buddy Franklin is reportedly edging closer to a deal to remain at the Sydney Swans as rumors swirl over his future in the AFL.
Channel 9 reported on Thursday Franklin was set to turn his back on Sydney for a deal with the Brisbane Lions.
The report said the Lions and Franklin’s management have already entered into preliminary discussions.
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It was immediately countered by Swans CEO Tom Harley who said the report linking Sydney’s star forward to Brisbane was “news to him”.
“There’s nothing to announce, but there’s nothing untoward at the same time (on Franklin’s future),” Harley told 3AW.
“There’s no hurry from our point of view and no hurry from his point of view.
“Things are all tracking well at the moment.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said on Friday the Lions would be open to having a chat with Franklin if he was indeed considering moving north to continue his career.
The Lions coach felt if Franklin was to relocate to Queensland it would likely be for retirement rather than to continue his football career.
“I would have thought if they are moving to Queensland, that’s perhaps an indication that Bud’s going to retire from AFL football,” Fagan said.
But sports broadcaster Andy Maher said on Friday he has been told Franklin will stay with the Swans and is simply signing up the details around a contract extension.
“I can’t say where it came from, but Franklin’s not going to Brisbane,” Maher said on his SEN radio show.
“He’s not going, he’s going to stay at Sydney and they’re in the throws of working out the contract, so it does sound like he’s going to play another year at the Swans if this information is true and where it’s coming from is pretty strong.
“They’re arguing whether the last $100,000 is marketing money or how it fits in, how they can use what they have available to them within the rules of the game to satisfy what is right for Franklin to receive.
“They’re right at the very end and the edges of just tidying up the contract for next year.”
The conflicting reports come as former Hawthorn forward Ben Dixon argued Franklin has more chance of “playing on the moon than Victoria” next year, with Brisbane the perfect fit.
“I reckon there’s some real merit in (rumors of the Brisbane move),” Dixon told Fox Footy.
“My gut feels is yes (he’ll leave Sydney).
“He’s more chance of playing on the moon than in Victoria.
“Going for one more tilt, going to a different club, it’s not going to tarnish anything about your reputation in the game.
“He’s only going to go north.
“He’s a Perth boy, but you can rule out those two clubs (Fremantle and West Coast). You can rule out the Giants. It’s a process of elimination – the Gold Coast or it’s Brisbane.
“Brisbane’s right in the wheelhouse to win it. If it’s not this year, they still have got a little tilt next year.
“I know his motivation in signing a long-term deal with Sydney was sustainable success.
“I think his drive and his motivation – he wants to win a flag.
“He could be the hottest property in Queensland.
“If you look at it and you say: ‘Who’s closer to the flag (Gold Coast or Brisbane)?’ Well, there’s no doubt Brisbane are.”
Franklin and his wife Jesinta have made plenty of headlines in recent months after the bombshell news the 35-year-old believed the Swans were lowballing him.
Franklin joined the Swans from Hawthorn in 2014 on a nine-year $10 million deal but the star forward was looking for $700,000 per season.
While Franklin has been injury prone in recent years, the scenes of fans flooding onto the SCG when he kicked his 1000th career goal earlier this year showed he is still one of the sport’s biggest drawcards.
But reports of a move out of Sydney dominated headlines in early July and Jesinta told Channel 7’s The Morning Show “we’ve got options” when questioned about the speculation.
It shapes as one of the biggest, most complex deals of the trade period. But unfortunately for the Gold Coast Suns, it involves another one of their budding stars departing.
Foxfooty.com.au confirmed a report from the Herald Sun that Suns young gun Izak Rankine has been offered a five-year, $4 million deal from the Adelaide Crows as he considers a move back to South Australia.
Originally thought to be close to re-signing with Gold Coast, who are reportedly offering around a $650,000-a-season deal and won’t match Adelaide’s offer, the report states the 22-year old is highly likely to be playing at West Lakes in 2023 given the size of the offer.
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However as Rankine isn’t a free agent, he’d need to be acquired via trade, setting the stage for one of the most fascinating negotiations between the Suns and Crows in some time.
Pick No. 3 in the 2018 draft, Rankine showed promising signs early in his career before really elevating his game in 2022 into the competition’s elite bracket.
Rankine has booted a career-best 27 goals from 16 games this season while averaging 13.6 disposals per game (both ranked above average as a general forward by Champion Data), and his 1.5 goal assists ranks fifth in the league (ranked elite).
What’s more, his 2.9 forward 50 ball gets rank first in the competition and his 10.6 AFL Player Rating ranks ninth (both elite). His 6.4 score involvements per game (elite) come in fifth in the league including three games in 2022 with 11 score involvements.
And from Rounds 8-15 Rankine was the No. 1 ranked overall forward in the competition during a stretch where he ranked second in score assists.
“They signed probably six of their top eight players over the last six months and you just expected Izak will sign … then this comes in as a bit of a wildcard, so incredibly tough for the Gold Coast,” Roos legend David King said on SEN.
“Rankine is going to be a top liner. The ball’s not even kicked to him and his ability to hit the scoreboard is second to none.
What would Rankine cost in a trade? (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
A potential future face of the Suns and just 46 games into his AFL career, Rankine’s upside is scary, and he’s clearly only going to keep getting better, thus complicating his trade value given he’s not yet the final product.
So what’s he worth in a deal right now and how might it look?
Adelaide currently holds Pick 4 in the draft — a pick that could yet get moved back also pending on where potential Pick 1 and father-son draftee Will Ashcroft lands.
You’d think Adelaide’s first pick would be the starting point to any trade, but surely the Suns would want more.
A second first-round pick from the Crows feels like overs, especially considering it’d likely again be a top five selection or thereabouts. Would the Suns accept a first and second rounder?
Looking at recent history, the Adam Cerra trade from last year is a fair comparison given he was also aged 22, an early draft pick (No. 5) and still coming into his prime but didn’t yet qualify for free agency.
The Dockers ultimately received Carlton’s Pick 6 as well as a future third rounder despite originally putting a bigger price on Cerra’s head — although Fremantle had other deals to get done including acquiring Jordan Clark.
Prior to that, Jaeger O’Meara moved from the Suns to Hawthorn at the end of 2016 when he was also aged 22 and rated as one of the best young talents in the game.
O’Meara while playing for the Suns (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
O’Meara, who joined Gold Coast with the No. 1 pick of a special ‘mini draft’ as part of its early concessions, only cost the Hawks Pick 10 and a future second rounder.
Then there was the original Adam Treloar (who was also 22) trade back in 2015 that saw the star midfielder along with Pick 28 move from GWS to Collingwood for Picks 7, 65 and a future first rounder.
Similar to O’Meara, Treloar was drafted by the Giants as an under-age selection.
But making Rankine’s situation slightly more unique is that he was a bona fide top three pick (and taken ahead of the likes of the King brothers, Connor Rozee and Bailey Smith in the highly-rated 2018 draft), and factoring in that the Suns have already lost so much young talent over the years to add a potential extra tax of sorts.
And losing too many young stars to rival clubs has seen Gold Coast already top up with a stack of early picks in recent years.
It held selections 5 (Mac Andrew) and 7 (Elijah Hollands) respectively over the last two drafts, 1 and 2 in the 2019 draft (Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson) and 2 and 3 the year prior (Jack Lukosius and Rankine).
So would the Suns really want or need more picks? Finals should be firmly on the agenda next year after the club has finally made inroads in 2022, currently sitting 11th on the ladder with nine wins and on track for its best ever season.
Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes wasn’t yet convinced Rankine is going to be a “top liner,” but emphasized the Crows would have to give up something given he’s not a free agent — proposing a swap for Riley Thilthorpe or a package of Josh Rachele and Darcy Fogarty if draft picks don’t appease the Suns.
Is Buddy going back to Brisbane? | 00:33
“Adelaide would hope that (Pick 4) gets it done, but Rankine was a Pick 3 four years ago and is probably better than what you’re going to take a put on with Pick 4 in this year’s draft, which probably goes to ( Pick) 5 or 6, so that won’t get it done,” he said on SEN.
“They (the Suns) don’t want or need draft picks… is it Rachele and Fogarty or something like that for Rankine?
Of course, the Crows could dig their heels in if they can’t meet Gold Coast’s demands and try and walk Rankine to the pre-season draft (and hope other clubs don’t pounce on him).
This happened most recently in 2019 when Jack Martin joined Carlton via the pre-season draft after the Blues and Suns failed to reach a deal during the trade period.
King believes the Suns should take a stand and be willing to let Rankine walk for nothing if it comes to it.
“I just wonder if they would say, ‘you know what, we’re not going to do this deal, we’re going to take a stand. We’ve got enough first-round picks, future picks coming in, trade commodities to be able to shift if we want to go down that path. Let’s dig our heels in and say if you want to leave you can go to the draft’,” he said.
“Why not? Does it really rock their boat (losing him for nothing)? Do they say, ‘do we just draw a line in the sand?’ Because this is going to continue to happen if they allow it to happen.
“I think they’ll take a stance. I don’t think they’ll say, ‘oh yeah, no worries, what do you (Adelaide) want to discard? You don’t think Rachele is going to be a top-liner? OK, give us Rachele.’ That’s of no value to them.”
Buddy Franklin has reportedly made a decision about his future and is set to turn his back on Sydney for a deal with the Brisbane Lions.
That is according to a report from Nine News Queensland reporter Michael Atkinson, who said he “can confirm the Brisbane Lions are the frontrunner to be his (Franklin’s) club next year”.
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“It’s my understanding that Franklin has informed the Swans that he won’t be playing in Sydney next year,” he continued.
“Franklin and his wife Jesinta have a desire to move their family up to Queensland to be closer to family on the Gold Coast. But it’s not the Suns where he wants to keep playing, Buddy wants to win more premierships and he’s identified Brisbane as the club most likely to help him achieve that goal.”
The report continues the Lions and Franklin’s management have already entered into discussions.
Atkinson said there is still some time to go for this deal to be actioned as no club can put a deal to Franklin until the trade period begins.
Franklin is a restricted free agent, meaning the Swans are able to match the bid.
Franklin is a restricted free agent because he is in his ninth season for the Swans and in the top 25 per cent of the club’s earners.
Any players outside the top quarter of earners or who have played 10 seasons at a single club will be unrestricted free agents.
It’s expected forward Dan McStay will likely head south as he has been strongly linked to a five-year $3 million deal at Collingwood.
The report has been immediately countered by Swans CEO Tom Harley who spoke off-air on 3AW’s Sportsday after an interview and said it was “news to him”.
But during the interview, he’d said: “There’s nothing to announce, but there’s nothing untoward at the same time (on Franklin’s future).
“There’s no hurry from our point of view and no hurry from his point of view.
“Things are all tracking well at the moment.”
Franklin and his wife Jesinta have made plenty of headlines in recent months after the bombshell news the 35-year-old believed the Swans were lowballing him.
Franklin joined the Swans from Hawthorn in 2014 on a nine-year $10 million deal but the star forward was looking for $700,000 per season.
While Franklin has been injury prone in recent years, the scenes of fans flooding onto the SCG when he kicked his 1000th career goal earlier this year showed he is still one of the sport’s biggest drawcards.
But reports of a move out of Sydney dominated headlines in early July and Jesinta told Channel 7’s The Morning Show “we’ve got options” when questioned about the speculation.
“There’s always rumors and speculation swirling around Bud, and I think when he’s coming to the end of such an amazing contract, this was always going to happen,” she said.
“But I think they’re just that; they’re rumors and they’re speculation.
“We’re really happy in Sydney – at the moment – and we’ve got our life set up here, so we’ll just have to see what happens.
“I still feel like he’s got lots to give, and he still feels like he’s got great footy (left in him), and he feels so good.
“He keeps saying, ‘I feel like I’m 21,’ which is great. And the stats really show that as well.”
In May, Jesinta also said: “I think there’s still a lot of good football left in him, but it’s our dream, whether that’s in five years or 10 years or whenever, to be able to live closer to one of the grandparents and have quality time with them.”
Jesinta Franklin was the 2010 Miss Universe Australia and grew up on the Gold Coast.
The couple also own a beachside apartment just south of the Gold Coast and rumors are swirling they’re set to sell their Sydney home.
Will Ashcroft, the son of a triple premiership Lions great and the best player in this year’s AFL draft pool according to many scouts, will join the Brisbane Lions next year.
The Lions on Thursday confirmed they had formally agreed to join the club as a father-son selection at this year’s national draft after officially nominating Brisbane as his preferred destination earlier in the day.
It means Brisbane now gets the opportunity to match a rival club bid on Ashcroft, who’s widely regarded as the Pick 1 favorite for November’s draft.
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One recruiter told foxfooty.com.au Ashcroft “could play AFL this week” as he was on a “different level” to most of this year’s draft class.
Ashcroft’s father is Marcus Ashcroft, who played 318 games with the Lions and was part of the club’s famous three-peat premiership from 2001 to 2003.
He trained with the Lions’ AFL list last summer then played two games with the club’s VFL team in early May. He starred, of course, for the Lions against both Sydney and Coburg, averaging 28 disposals, eight tackles, six inside 50s and five clearances across the two matches.
Will Ashcroft of Vic Metro. Picture: Dylan BurnsSource: Getty Images
Ashcroft has impressed at every level he’s played so far this year, including in the recent AFL Under 18 National Championships. He booted two goals and averaged 33.3 disposals, 15.0 contested possessions, 10.0 clearances, 6.7 tackles and 6.7 inside 50s from his three Vic Metro matches.
The 18-year-old is the hot favorite to claim this year’s Larke Medal – the award given to the best player of the annual carnival — when it’s awarded next month. Recent winners of the honor include Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield, Dom Sheed, Jack Graham and Sam Walsh – the latter, of which, Ashcroft has been compared to for his elite on-field consistency and leadership, as well as his off-field professionalism of the.
“I can’t wait to join the club and start earning the respect of all the players and coaching staff,” Will Ashcroft said.
“I was lucky enough to do some work with the midfielders last pre-season and I am really looking forward to learning from them and hopefully breaking into that group and seeing what we can become.
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“To be following after dad is a privilege and if I can achieve half of what he did then I would be happy. I am also looking forward to forging my own name.
“I’d like to say a big thanks to Leon Harris (Lions recruiter) he has done heaps of work over the years to support me. And also a huge thanks to my parents and brother and sister for all they have done.”
Lions football boss Danny Daly said it’ll be exciting to see Ashcroft follow in his father’s footsteps.
“Will is one of the most talented young players in the country and to have him choose the Brisbane Lions to start his AFL career is a huge moment for all involved,” Daly said.
Will Ashcroft of the Sandringham Dragons. Picture: Morgan HancockSource: Getty Images
“He has impressed at every level he has played at this year, and like our members, we cannot wait for him to pull on a Brisbane Lions jumper.”
Possibly complicating matters, in a positive way, for the Lions is they have another father-son prospect in first-round calculations, with Jaspa Fletcher – the son of Adrian Fletcher who played 231 games for four clubs including 107 for Brisbane – rising up draft boards following an three strong carnival games for the Allies.
It means the Lions could spend most of this year’s trade period banking selections to match rival club bids on Ashcroft and, possibly, Fletcher. As of July 26, the Lions held Picks 16, 34, 44 (via Port Adelaide) and 70 in the draft, but will need more picks in their arsenal to secure Ashcroft if his name is called at Pick 1.
Ashcroft’s main competitor for the Pick 1 mantle is seen as George Wardlaw – a powerful, competitive and combative inside midfielder that models his game on Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver.
Brisbane Lions boss Chris Fagan has downplayed rumors he could hand over the reins to free agent coaching great Alastair Clarkson at season’s end.
There was some talk last month about a possible handover from Fagan to Clarkson for 2023 as the latter weighs up a returns to the coaches box, having recently met with GWS and North Melbourne about their openings.
The pair have previously worked together closely when Fagan was Hawthorn’s footy boss during its golden era including winning four premierships from 2008-2015 while Clarkson was coach.
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Asked on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 if he’d made “private plans to hand the job over to an old colleague,” Fagan responded with a laugh:“It’s not my job to hand over in the first place … is not the firm answer to that question.”
Fagan said he was unconditionally committed to coaching Brisbane next year.
“I’ve got a contract for next year and hopefully the team can continue to do well and the club is keen to keep me for a while longer,” he said.
“I love coaching the Lions and that’s what I’ll be doing next year unless someone knows something I don’t know.”
It comes after some pundits have put a line through Brisbane’s premiership chances after its second-half fade out loss to Richmond on Sunday that saw the Lions fall down to fifth position on the ladder.
But Fagan insisted the club wasn’t listening to the outside noise as it stays focused on its final three home and away matches against Carlton, St Kilda and Melbourne.
“I understand people want to comment on the game and they’ve got to have strong opinions, because that’s why people want to watch and listen to media,” the Lions boss said.
Clarkson and Fagan at Hawthorn (Picture: Colleen Petch)Source: News Corp Australia
“But we can’t get caught up in that. This time last year we had to win our last three games to finish in the top four and even that wasn’t guaranteed… you just take each win as it comes.
“It’s a really tough and tight competition. If we can get back to our really best form, which we showed a strong glimpse of (against Richmond) in the first half, then there’s no reason why we can’t be really competitive come September.
“We’re not a perfect team, we’ve got strengths and weaknesses like every other team. But when we play at our best we’re pretty hard to beat.”
A key criticism towards Brisbane’s fading flag prospects has been its leaky defence.
Since Round 10 the Lions rank 16th in the competition in the most points conceded, 18th in most points conceded from their defensive half and have been the 15th easiest team to score against once the ball is inside 50.
Fagan said sharpening their defense has been the “main focus” at training over the last six weeks, but also highlighted the club’s inconsistent personnel down back due to injury.
“It’s a work in progress for us, we have had a fair turnover of players particularly in our backline since the Melbourne game (in Round 15),” he said.
“I think we’ve had 14 different players down there play for various reasons, not that defense is just about the backline, but we haven’t had a lot of continuity with our boys.
“Hopefully we can build that back up over the next few weeks and have the same seven or eight players playing there each week.”
Melbourne and Brisbane have been quizzed on the futures of two their respective out-of-contract stars as rumors swirl.
Plus the latest on a suitor’s Jordan De Goey bid as well as Dan Hannebery’s future.
Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!
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DEES, LIONS CONFIRM HONEST CHATS WITH OFF-CONTRACT STARS
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has admitted he’s had “honest chats” with out-out-contract star Luke Jackson about his future, saying the youngster faces a massive call ahead.
Jackson has put off contract talks until the end of the season and been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle as he weighs up returning to his home state of Western Australia.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Goodwin implored the 20-year old to not be distracted by his future plans and keep his focus on helping the Demons’ bid for back-to-back premierships.
“I’ve had some great chats with Luke and some were honest chats about we just want him to perform for the Melbourne footy club, however long that may be,” Goodwin told Fox Footy.
“That’s what our focus has been, whether that’s 10 weeks, whether that’s the next 10 years, and he’s been really open … he’s fully committed to Melbourne.”
Jackson rucking against Freo (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
“Our responsibility as a club is to be mature in our approach towards that end, and get the best out of the Luke for however long he’s at our footy club… those conversations have been held with Luke and he’s embraced it.
“He needs time to make his decision… we’ve said to Luke all along, ‘you take as much time as you need’.
“He’s got the chance to go home at some stage throughout his career and he’s got a footy club that he loves at the moment, so it’s a big decision for him to make.”
Brisbane faces a similar situation with key forward Dan McStay, who’s been heavily linked to Collingwood on a five-year, $3 million deal.
And like Goodwin, Lions coach Chris Fagan just wanted to see McStay put his best foot forward while wearing the Brisbane jumper.
Fagan addresses Clarko whispers | 00:43
“I’d have a couple of chats with Daniel during the season. These are challenging times for players when they’ve got to make decisions about their futures,” Fagan told AFL 360.
“I just wanted to make sure Daniel felt supported and also to encourage him to play the best football he can for the rest of the year.
“Whatever decision he makes he makes, hopefully he decides to stay with the Lions, but if he doesn’t he’s given us great service and we’re grateful for what he’s contributed to the club.”
Asked if players and clubs should announce moves ahead of time, like in the NRL, Fagan said: “That probably seems the mature way to do it, I just don’t know whether we’re ready for that and whether all clubs will be comfortable.
“Some players might feel like if they say they’re going, that would endanger their chances perhaps for selection for the rest of the year or the club might turn in a different direction.
“I don’t know whether we’ve arrived at that level of maturity with football yet, I’d like to think so.”
SAINTS WANT MORE BY GOEY CLARITY
St Kilda’s board has requested its football department for more information on Jordan De Goey before it ticks off making a formal push for the free agent Magpies star, reports TheAge.
The Saints have been linked to De Goey, who was discussed at the club’s board meeting on Thursday night as it weighs up an aggressive pursuit of the 26-year old.
It’s believed the board wants to be satisfied he’s the “right fit” for the club both on and off the field including its leadership and values and whether he could help the club win a premiership.
De Goey’s future at Collingwood is in doubt after the Pies pulled their most recent contract offer to him following his Bali exploits — a two-year deal with a trigger for another two years, totaling $3.2 million.
De Goey returned from a quad injury on the weekend (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
Geelong is also interested in the midfielder/forward, while St Kilda coach Brett Ratten confirmed in June his club would want to look at “all the evidence” around De Goey’s off-field indiscretions before ruling out a play for the out-of-contract Collingwood star.
“We’d have to do our homework and have a look at exactly what has happened and taking all the evidence as you do when you bring in any player, especially opponents from another club,” Ratten said.
“You’re looking at the on-field performance, and you’re looking at what you’re trying to build as a football club and culture and that as well. So we take in both sides of the equation, and then we make decisions around there and all those free agents will be singled out and sort of maybe targeting one or two, if it’s possible.
“We do assess everything they do on and off the field.”
HANNEBERY ‘PRETTY KEEN’ TO PLAY ON
Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reports Dan Hannebery is “pretty keen” to play on in 2023, but believes the out-of-contract Saint may have to settle for a rookie list spot.
Hannebery enjoyed a strong return to the field against Hawthorn — an inclusion that raised the eyebrows of some pundits — racking up 27 disposals and booting one goal in the St Kilda’s 12-point win in his first game since Round 23 last year.
However the injury-plagued 31-year old, who’s coming towards the end of a four-season deal worth around $800,000 per season — a contract renegotiated to a reduced figure this year — has struggled to stay on the park in recent years, playing just 16 senior games in four campaigns due to several setbacks.
Giants keen to ‘correct their cap’ | 04:04
Speaking on Fox Footy’s on the couch, Ralph provided the latest on Hannebery’s future.
“Officially out of contract, pretty keen to go again — probably needs to make the next three weeks a winner.
“He funded his own trip over to ‘Healing Hans’ the German soft tissue expert… he’s taken multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars pay cut.
“I think one possibility is if he gets through the year, you go onto the rookie list or you spend a summer trying to train yourself up — and if you can get through it, it gives you another year as a summer rookie.”
