St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has described his former club’s decision to trade away Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn as “mind-boggling.”
McEvoy, who played his 250th AFL game in Saturday’s win over Gold Coast, was dealt to the Hawks at the end of 2013 and has been an invaluable addition, winning two premierships and getting appointed captain in 2021.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Best on GroundRiewoldt, who was Saints skipper at the time of the trade — which saw the club acquire Shane Savage and a first-round pick (Luke Dunstan) — says McEvoy was pushed out.
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“He didn’t leave, the club traded him. At the time it felt like the people in charge making those decisions were saying, ‘look how clever we are. Let’s trade this bloke and this bloke and we’ll get in some picks, we’ll show how clever we are with recruiting’,” Riewoldt said.
“You’ve got to get your picks right, and they didn’t… it was mind boggling, and still is.
“He’s been a superstar and it was still at St Kilda — a bit of a void of leadership is the criticism at times — he would’ve been perfect.
“But good luck to him, he’s gone on to great things.”
McEvoy was carried off after his milestone match and embraced by Hawks fans and teammates with his kids on the ground in great scenes.
Fellow Saints great Leigh Montagna also praised his former teammate post-game — a match that ended in the tough ruckman’s head bandaged after a knock.
McEvoy carried off after his 250th match (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
“Congratulations to Benny McEvoy, big contested mark in that last minute, the headband, he’s everything we’ve seen from him over 250 games,” he said on Fox Footy.
Hawks star Jack Gunston said of McEvoy: “You always love a good that you want to follow, and Ben is that guy. Headband today, of course he did. He’s just such a genuine good block, but such a competitor as well.
“It’s not an easy gig playing in the ruck I wouldn’t have thought, he’s just a good fella and I’m glad we got the win for him.”
McEvoy gave a shout out post-match to Dylan Moore playing in his 50th match in true selfless McEvoy style.
“It wasn’t pretty today, but sometimes you’ve got to win ugly. So pleased to get a result in mine and Moorey’s 300th.”
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.
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“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.”
Mabior Chol continues to make the most of the chance given to him by a Gold Coast Suns side whose slim AFL finals hopes could rest on the boot of the former Richmond forward.
With three rounds of the regular season remaining, the Suns remain a mathematical chance of playing finals football for the first time in the club’s history.
It’s a tall order and the Suns will need other results to go their way, but with Chol in stellar form, it’s not yet impossible.
Having joined the Suns this year from the Tigers, where the regular top-flight football was craved wasn’t forthcoming, Chol has rewarded Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew for believing in him.
The 25-year-old, 200cm giant has kicked 43 goals this season, including a career-best single-game haul of five in the Suns’ three-point weekend win over the West Coast Eagles.
“I’ve been seeking an opportunity for a very long time to show what I can do at the highest level,” Chol said ahead of the Suns’ trip to Tasmania for Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn in Launceston.
“I knew coming up here I wasn’t just going to walk straight in. I knew I was going to have to work hard and earn my position.
“There’s been a lot of hard work since the start of the pre-season and it’s just been an exciting season … I knew what I was capable of doing.”
As did Dew, who said Chol was a “real leader” who gave the Suns “great energy”.
“He’s a real thinker of the game,” the Gold Coast mentor said.
“He sees the game really well, he can understand what’s happening, patterns of play, so when he comes to the bench, he’s really aware of how the game’s going.
“The more he gets confidence to voice that to the greater group he’s going to improve his leadership. “We’re excited by not only what he’s done, but what’s to eat.”
Chol said the Suns weren’t looking ahead to the finals but instead on the immediate task of beating the Hawks for a second time this season after disposing of them by 67 points in Darwin in May.
“We’re just focusing on each game, each week – we’re not trying to look too far ahead. It’s been exciting,” he said.
The Suns are hopeful another former Tiger, Brandon Ellis, overcomes a shoulder problem to play this weekend after he was a late withdrawal from the team that beat the Eagles.
Dew said of Ellis: “We anticipate he’ll be on the plane to Tassie.”
The party is going strong on both sides of the world after Australia’s Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens gold medal triumph.
Taking to the field just before 6am AEST, the Aussies were unstoppable, leading 22-0 before two late tries gave some respectability to the scoreline in the 22-12 result over Fiji.
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The Commonwealth gold is the final piece of Australia’s trophy cabinet as the side won the 2016 Olympic gold and are the current Rugby Sevens World Series champions.
And while our stars were living it up, those left back at home were also getting in on the celebrations — just ask Richelle Levi.
The mother of the Levi sisters Teagan, 18, and Maddison, 20, was ready for the win, showing up on Channel 7’s Sunriseafter enjoying the spoils of victory.
Asked if the party was going to go on all day, Richelle was clearly already enjoying herself.
“100 per cent, two bottles of champagne already done — woo!” she said.
Sunrise host Natalie Barr and David Koch were in hysterics over the cross to the Gold Coast.
At a bowls club on the Gold Coast, Richelle said: “This is their little club, they used to sit out on that balcony …”
Weatherman Sam Mac added: “…while you were drinking champagne?”
He added: “I feel like the Olympics was all about Dean Boxall (Ariarne Titmus’ coach) in terms of passionate supporter, well I see your Dean Boxall and I raise you Richelle.”
Back in the studio, Edwina Batholemew said: “Imagine winning a gold medal and waking up the next morning with messages, ‘your mum’s on TV, she’s had two bottles of champagne, and she’s a riot”.
However, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise for the champion sisters who knew their mum was prepared for victory and was even more loose off camera.
“Mum had a bottle of champagne ready at 6 in the morning — she was ready to celebrate and I think she’ll be on it all day celebrating,” a jubilant Maddison Levi said after Australia’s historic maiden Sevens gold medal win over Fiji.
“I don’t know if I can say it on camera (what mum said) but they were definitely happy.
“There were tears of joy. It was a pretty emotional rollercoaster…. they’ve been with us through the highs and lows and to have two kids standing on that podium is pretty awesome.
“They definitely had tears. But lots of swearing, I can confirm.”
Fans may need to remember the Levi name as the duo are set for long careers in the sporting spotlight.
The Levi sisters have been pursued by rugby, AFLW and rugby league, such is their athletic prowess.
Maddison played eight games for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW, kicking three goals, before representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Teagan was drafted No. 6 by the Suns in the 2021 Draft before joining the Rugby Sevens tour.
But before the Games, Maddi revealed she would like to try everything.
“AFLW and NRLW is still there, which later down the track we’d love to give a go, but for now our heart is set on sevens,” Maddi told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“In sevens there is so much opportunity and it’s a growing sport. With the Olympics coming up and World Series [tournaments] every year, traveling the world with your best friend … there’s no other sport that compares to that.”
Teagan adds: “Mads has been my best friend since day one. I guess we do fight a little bit, but as we’ve grown older I wouldn’t change it for the world to finally play in an Aussie sevens team together. It’s a dream come true.”
The party is going strong on both sides of the world after Australia’s Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens gold medal triumph.
Taking to the field just before 6am AEST, the Aussies were unstoppable, leading 22-0 before two late tries gave some respectability to the scoreline in the 22-12 result over Fiji.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
The Commonwealth gold is the final piece of Australia’s trophy cabinet as the side won the 2016 Olympic gold and are the current Rugby Sevens World Series champions.
And while our stars were living it up, those left back at home were also getting in on the celebrations — just ask Richelle Levi.
The mother of the Levi sisters Teagan, 18, and Maddison, 20, was ready for the win, showing up on Channel 7’s Sunriseafter enjoying the spoils of victory.
Asked if the party was going to go on all day, Richelle was clearly already enjoying herself.
“100 per cent, two bottles of champagne already done — woo!” she said.
Sunrise host Natalie Barr and David Koch were in hysterics over the cross to the Gold Coast.
At a bowls club on the Gold Coast, Richelle said: “This is their little club, they used to sit out on that balcony …”
Weatherman Sam Mac added: “…while you were drinking champagne?”
He added: “I feel like the Olympics was all about Dean Boxall (Ariarne Titmus’ coach) in terms of passionate supporter, well I see your Dean Boxall and I raise you Richelle.”
Back in the studio, Edwina Batholemew said: “Imagine winning a gold medal and waking up the next morning with messages, ‘your mum’s on TV, she’s had two bottles of champagne, and she’s a riot”.
However, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise for the champion sisters who knew their mum was prepared for victory and was even more loose off camera.
“Mum had a bottle of champagne ready at 6 in the morning — she was ready to celebrate and I think she’ll be on it all day celebrating,” a jubilant Maddison Levi said after Australia’s historic maiden Sevens gold medal win over Fiji.
“I don’t know if I can say it on camera (what mum said) but they were definitely happy.
“There were tears of joy. It was a pretty emotional rollercoaster…. they’ve been with us through the highs and lows and to have two kids standing on that podium is pretty awesome.
“They definitely had tears. But lots of swearing, I can confirm.”
Fans may need to remember the Levi name as the duo are set for long careers in the sporting spotlight.
The Levi sisters have been pursued by rugby, AFLW and rugby league, such is their athletic prowess.
Maddison played eight games for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW, kicking three goals, before representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Teagan was drafted No. 6 by the Suns in the 2021 Draft before joining the Rugby Sevens tour.
But before the Games, Maddi revealed she would like to try everything.
“AFLW and NRLW is still there, which later down the track we’d love to give a go, but for now our heart is set on sevens,” Maddi told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“In sevens there is so much opportunity and it’s a growing sport. With the Olympics coming up and World Series [tournaments] every year, traveling the world with your best friend … there’s no other sport that compares to that.”
Teagan adds: “Mads has been my best friend since day one. I guess we do fight a little bit, but as we’ve grown older I wouldn’t change it for the world to finally play in an Aussie sevens team together. It’s a dream come true.”
