A top-two spot and home qualifying final could be up for grabs on Sunday afternoon as Sydney and Collingwood — two of the AFL’s most in-form teams — meet at the SCG.
The Swans (14-6, 127.5%) are in a strong position to host a qualifying final, especially after Brisbane’s inability to thrash Carlton after threatening to increase their percentage in a massive way. They’ve won six of their past seven games.
But the Magpies (15-6, 106.3%) can put themselves in Position A to finish in the top two with a 12th straight win and skip ahead of Brisbane on the AFL ladder.
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The Magpies were dealt a major blow just hours before the first bounce, with star midfielder Jordan De Goey a late withdrawal due to a hip flexor issue. De Goey has been in excellent touch since returning to the Pies side two weeks ago with 23 and 25 disposals respectively in wins over Port and Melbourne.
De Goey was replaced by Trent Bianco, with Callum Brown named the medical sub. There were no late changes for the Swans, who named Braeden Campbell as their sub.
This match gets underground at 3.20pm AEST from the SCG.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 503) from 3pm AEST.
Follow Sydney v Collingwood in our live blog below!
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
Collingwood had the run early against the Swans but couldn’t put it on the scoreboard before a rare Scott Pendlebury error gifted Sydney the first of the match.
With the corridor kick coming unstuck, the Swans pounced before Lance Franklin unselfishly opted for the pass to teammate Isaac Heeney who nailed the first.
Dane Rampe had Sydney’s second later – his first goal since 2016 – as the home crowd really got going.
But when Jack Ginnivan pounced on a midfield turnover and went the barrel forward, Beau McCreery chased the footy down and got the hand pass over to Brody Mihocek who snapped truly from the square.
“Gee it was hard work for the Pies!” Commentator Brian Taylor said.
“Not sure why (Ginnivan) went the barrel… but they got the goal in the end.”
Mihocek appeared to cop a cork in the process of kicking the goal in worrying early signs for the Pies.
Tom Papley broke a tackle and got the crowd back to their feet with the Swans’ third goal of the day.
In more worrying signs, Brayden Maynard appeared to nurse his right shoulder after the Papley goal. He made his way to the bench only to be sent back into the action.
He then laid a big tackle and was slow to his feet when brought to ground by James Rowbottom.
The Pies dodged a bullet when Ryan Clarke’s goal was denied as the goal review showed the footy shaving the post.
While his brother Nick struggled to get into the action, Josh Daicos narrowed Sydney’s lead to eight points with a goal on the run from stoppage.
“You have to be accountable because if he give him that much room, he’ll kick the goal,” commentator Shaun Burgoyne said.
Young Ash Johnson beat two Swans to take a big grab 25m on the angle, but he couldn’t convert.
Down the other end, Franklin showed why he is the Swans’ marquee man as he roved and goaled on a tight angle.
“He’s the man they all come to see,” Taylor said.
The goal brought Franklin just one shy of the great Tony Lockett on 462 goals for the Swans.
Sam Reid had the chance to extend Sydney’s lead but pushed his set shot out on the full as the quarter time siren sounded.
Papley may have burned his teammate Franklin early in the second term, but Chad Warner made sure he lowered the eyes minutes later after breaking two tackles.
Franklin couldn’t pull in the mark on the arc, but Warner roved brilliantly and got the ball to Will Haywood who goaled from the square.
The Pies just couldn’t win the footy in their front half as Taylor said they were “getting a bit of a bath from the Sydney defenders”.
When Jack Crisp slipped over in the center square, the Swans gathered the turnover and found Logan McDonald.
But the youngster leaned back on it and missed to the near side.
Franklin couldn’t get the bounce when he snapped from the pocket as Collingwood just couldn’t get into the contest in the second.
It took a Jack Ginnivan goal from a high tackle free kick to give the Pies a sniff.
Paddy McCartin was penalized for the tackle and the controversial Collingwood forward slotted it to the boos of the crowd to narrow Sydney’s lead to 15 points.
“It’s immediately high from McCartin,” commentator Jude Bolton said.
“I believe the first one was around the throat. He’s got to go lower.”
But Ginnivan left the field moments later and headed straight to the rooms, leaving the Pies down to just two on the bench while medical staff struggled to stem Will Hoskin-Elliott’s nose bleed from earlier in the quarter.
Ginnivan was subbed out at half time and later spotted on the bench with ice on his left hamstring.
Franklin got the Swans off to the best possible start in the third term when he snapped his 462nd goal for Sydney – drawing him level with Tony Lockett.
Johnson couldn’t bridge the gap after some Daicos brother brilliance in the center of the ground.
“He just didn’t get back in his run up,” Burgoyne lamented.
The drama between former North Melbourne premiership teammates Wayne Carey and Anthony Stevens has taken a twist, with reports the duo had to be “separated” at a club reunion on the weekend.
More than 20 years after Carey’s cheating scandal with Stevens’ then-wife rocked the Kangaroos and ended with the skipper departing the club, an SEN report on Monday suggested the duo clashed at a gathering of former North players on Saturday night.
SEN reporter Sam Edmund told Dwayne’s World there was an “ugly altercation” between Carey and Stevens at North Melbourne’s 1996 premiership gathering at the Railway Hotel in Yarraville.
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“Witnesses said, Dwayne, that Carey went at Stevens, accusing him of talking behind his back, telling people not to bother trying to catch up with him but then being fine in-person,” Edmund told Dwayne’s World.
the Herald Sun reported the conversation centered around Stevens’ mental health, with Carey discussing how he dealt with his own issues following the affair scandal. Carey told Channel 7 earlier this yer the affair was the “biggest regret of his adult life” and had “haunted me for over 20 years.”
Edmund said witnesses had told him the pair were “separated”, with fellow ex-Kangaroos left “stunned” by the verbal attack. the Herald Sun reported there was no potential of violence and that the pair “moved on and shared a beer together” afterwards.
Stevens then didn’t attend the club’s 1996 reunion parade at Marvel Stadium on Sunday — where 17 players took part in a motorcade before the Roos’ clash with Sydney — as he was left “shattered by the heated exchange”.
The Roos told the Herald Sun that Stevens, who’s also a club director, didn’t attend Sunday’s event because he was ill.
Stevens had played a crucial role in organizing the celebrations, but ultimately saw fit to stay away from Sunday’s event.
“It’s a pretty sad sequel,” Edmund said.
While Stevens was absent on Sunday, Carey was in a vehicle with ex-teammate Wayne Schwass and premiership coach Denis Pagan for the lap around the Docklands stadium.
Also in attendance was Glenn Archer, who famously uncovered the affair at his house back in March 2002.
The scandal saw Carey resign in disgrace before moving across to play his final two years at Adelaide – and famously coming up against former teammates like Archer.
North Melbourne’s 1996 premiership reunion at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Supplied
Last weekend’s gathering was to celebrate the club’s 25-year anniversary, but due to Covid restrictions in 2021 the meeting was pushed back to last weekend.
Six players were presented life membership at the club – Stuart Anderson, Mathew Capuano, Glenn Freeborn, Mark Roberts, Robert Scott and Peter Bell.
As the Bulldogs watched their final hopes fade on Saturday, there was a cruel irony in front of them.
Plus the ‘five years with a mulligan’ theory that helps explain Collingwood’s year.
The big issues from Round 21 of the 2022 AFL season analyzed in Talking Points!
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CRUEL IRONY AS FREO’S FLAG-WORTHY RECORD GROWS
Saturday was bad for the Bulldogs in 2022; their loss, combined with Richmond’s win, has them outsiders to make the eight (though Carlton’s loss to Brisbane keeps them alive).
But it might’ve been good for them in 2023 and beyond.
The irony wasn’t lost on Fox Footy’s commentary team as Rory Lobb, reportedly on his way to the Kennel in free agency on a deal of around $1.5 million over three years, dominated the game.
The Dockers key forward has always shown flashes amid an inconsistent career – this is the first season where he’s reached the 30 goal mark – his four big majors at Marvel Stadium showed him at his absolute best.
Best three kicks at goal since Plugger | 00:58
“First four kicks were goals, it looked like he could kick them from everywhere,” goalkicking legend Jason Dunstall said at three-quarter-time on Fox Footy.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon added: “If you believe everything that’s been said, the Western Bulldogs whilst they’d be shattered if they lose and Rory Lobb leads them (Fremantle) to victory, they might be rubbing their hands together, given many think he’s heading to the Western Bulldogs.
“That’s what they’re saying; he’s playing unbelievably well.”
Some have questioned whether the Bulldogs need Lobb, given they’ve got Aaron Naughton (three goals on Saturday), Josh Bruce, No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and father-son prodigy Sam Darcy, who made a strong debut with a team -leading eight marks and seven intercepts.
But as those intercepts suggest Darcy played in defense, where the Bulldogs desperately need tall help – while Luke Beveridge remains a Ryan Gardner stan and defends his backs when questioned, they’ve long struggled to defend one-on-ones.
So if Lobb truly is coming on board, that just adds more tall weapons to their armory.
More magnets to spin for the AFL’s most prolific magnet-spinner can’t hurt, surely?
Meanwhile for the Dockers, their win on the road was yet another example of their terrific away record in the 2022 season.
They’re the only non-Victorian team to win more than one game in Victoria this season – and they’ve won five, plus that draw against Richmond.
Taking 22 premiership points from trips to the home of footy is a big reason the Dockers are current flag contenders this season. After all, if they can win in Melbourne, they can win on the biggest day of all.
Buckley on 2018 Crows: ‘It’s harrowing’ | 06:33
AFL’S BIGGEST SHOCK SURGE COME AFTER ‘FIVE YEARS OF GOOD FOOTY’…WITH A MULLIGAN
Few experts pre-season tipped Collingwood to feature in this year’s finals series. Nathan Buckley, however, did.
And while the former coach didn’t expect his Magpies to be sitting second on the ladder with two rounds to go, he’s of the firm belief the side’s 2022 surge is a result of an exciting five-year build.
The Magpies’ destiny is in their own hands. Win two more home and away games and they’ll jump from the bottom-two last year to the top-two this year – a simply remarkable feat. Those last two games will be tough – Sydney at the SCG and Carlton at the MCG – but it seems nothing, not even the prospect of watching The Exorcist in the dark, scares this team.
While many outside the club had low expectations for the Magpies this year after a 17th-placed finish in 2021, Buckley said it was important to remember the build and list turnover in the previous three years.
“I’m going to suggest – and I’ve been involved in the footy club – but this is five years of good footy with a bad year last year,” Buckley told Fox Footy on Friday night.
“The nucleus of this side is established and we’re seeing some young players come in and play really big roles – and it’s brilliant and it’s exciting to see.
“This Collingwood side has exceeded my expectations. I thought they were 15 wins at the top end – and they’ve still got two more to go. What ‘Fly’ (McRae) has done has been amazing, but it’s been built off the nucleus of a senior core that have been there for five or six years doing this now.”
Maynard BUZZING after big hit and win | 00:47
The Magpies on Friday night claimed a remarkable 11th straight win – the first time they’ve achieved the feat since 2011 – in another tantalizingly close game.
Asked how the Pies keep winning such tight games, coach Craig McRae told reporters: “Yeah, this group’s got some belief hasn’t it? We just get ourselves into positions where at three quarter-time, there’s a few smiles on their faces – like, ‘here we go again’.
“It’s just been our story. I haven’t been part of a team like it that gets themselves in a situation that they just think: ‘Here we go, we’ll get the job done.’”
The On The Couch team last week compared the profile of Collingwood’s 2022 team to the Richmond premiership side of 2017. Like the Tigers, the Pies aren’t a strong clearance team, but are among the top-four clubs for interceptions, pressure and opposition score per inside 50.
Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy added to the comparison on Friday night.
“This could be a premiership built on pressure, like Richmond in 2017,” Healy told Fox Footy Live. “They didn’t win all the stats, but they won the flag, so there’s a lot to like about this Collingwood side.
“They are certainly in the conversation – you can’t win 11 in a row and beat last year’s premiers twice and not be a genuine chance.
“Collingwood and Sydney sit underneath most people’s favorites of Geelong and Melbourne, but we do know they are capable of beating the top sides.”
Asked if he’d reassess his message to his playing group considering the circumstances, McRae said: “We’re living in the moment of getting better. That’s always been our message. We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves.
“You look at the stats sheet (after the Melbourne game) and there’s a lot of red in it, so we’re not naive and we’ve got a little work to do.
“We don’t know where our ceiling is at – and that’s exciting. We’re in discovery mode… and that’s an exciting place to live.”
Consider comments heard! | 00:26
‘MORE OF IT’: ‘ALL DUCK NO DINNER’ LEADS TO FOOTY FEAST
Ed Langdon was something of a sitting duck when he was swamped only moments into Friday night’s epic between Collingwood and Melbourne.
We wouldn’t normally put so much time into dissecting a wingman’s game, particularly one as consistent as Langdon. But after the former Freo man spoke on radio about Collingwood being “all duck and no dinner” and a “one trick pony”, all eyes were on Langdon.
It created one of the most memorable moments of the season – and added some spice to a game that barely needed it.
Sitting second and third on the table respectively, Melbourne and Collingwood were playing on a Friday night for the first time since 2007, so the stage was already set for a dynamite contest.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae made light of Langdon’s comments pre-game, telling Fox Footy’s Kath Loughnan he had “duck for dinner last night”.
Feet assistant Brendon Bolton told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight he “loved it”, while Adem Yze reiterated the respect the Demons have for the Pies.
Kennedy chaired off in charming scenes | 01:23
The 24 hours prior to the opening bounce were gripping as a football lover. All that anyone was talking about were those comments and how good the game was going to be. The AFL even bumped up their crowd estimates off the back of the comments.
And when Brayden Maynard and co. engulfed Langdon in a brutal gang tackle, we got one of the most memorable and electric moments of the season — and the game itself didn’t disappoint either.
Ex-Saints and North Melbourne star Nick Dal Santo suggested it might have been a slip of the tongue after similar language was used in a team meeting, but the triple All-Australian noted “we shouldn’t be knocking that down”.
“Our game needs more of that,” Dal Santo told Fox Footy Live after the game.
“Our game is a combative game. The people who least speak about that combativeness is the players.”
“We need to embrace the rivalry and the competitiveness. If someone is to put out a comment like that, brilliant. More of it.”
The Melbourne media department, privately, would’ve been scrambling after the comments were made. The beauty of it was being so close to bounce-down, everyone could just enjoy the ride — even Ed, who had a smile pre-game, got booed by Pies fans and performed solidly in the 7-point loss.
“All duck no dinner” made for a footy feast.
Ban likely for Cripps after heavy bump | 02:00
HOW DOES MCSTAY FIT INTO FEET?
Amid doubts already over whether Collingwood should be pursuing Dan McStay, just how does he fit into this Pies forward line?
The Magpies have been heavily linked to the Lions free agent on a five-year deal worth $3 million as the club looks to add another marking target in attack.
But this is a Collingwood side already firing on all cylinders, with Friday night’s epic win over Melbourne seeing it climb into second place on the ladder.
Jamie Elliott and fourth-gamer Ash Johnson were both instrumental with four goals apiece, while Brody Mihocek, who’s led the goalkicking in each of the last three seasons and is on track to do so again in 2022, chipped in two goals.
“Mihocek, Elliott and Johnson look so good — so where does Daniel McStay fit into all this?” Demons great Garry Lyon posed on Fox Footy.
Heck, if McStay was available to play for Collingwood next week, it’s hard to see him cracking into the 22, especially with star ruckman Brodie Grundy and young gun Ollie Henry already out of the side.
McStay has booted 16 goals from as many games this year and been held goalless on eight occasions, while the key forward’s 28 majors in 2021 mark his best-ever return.
Franklin kicks four in big Swans win | 02:29
There’s a possibility that Collingwood could look to play McStay in defence, although it still raises questions of whether he’s worth the $650,000-a-season price tag and at a club that’s only two years removed from a trade exodus due to salary cap pressure.
“They believe he can help the forward line like Josh Bruce has been able to help Jamarra Ugle-Hagan get better match-ups… Daniel McStay is coming to Collingwood, but it’s going to be some kind of juggling act, especially with Ollie Henry not in the side right now,” Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy.
To which Saints great Nick Riewoldt responded: “Josh Bruce is a brave, brave workhorse. Is that Daniel McStay?”
Triple-premiership winning Lion Jonathan Brown believes his former club see him as the “workhorse, down-the-line guy.”
“They like to kick it long to him, put it on his head. Hipwood and Daniher tend to be more the runners,” he said.
It was the curveball statement that has cast further doubt over Lance Franklin’s footy future.
But it’s the timing of the superstar’s declaration that he’s delayed contract talks until season’s end that pricked the ears of several AFL commentators – and not in a good way.
Franklin, a premiership Hawk, four-time Coleman Medalist, eight-time All Australian and one of just six players in AFL/VFL history to kick 1000 goals, remains one of the biggest names in the AFL world, both on and off the field .
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His management on Saturday morning released a statement, confirming the superstar’s contract talks with the Swans had officially been “paused” so he can “put all my focus on playing footy”.
“I am still undecided and need time after the season to make a family decision about whether I continue to play next year,” said Franklin, who’s coming to the end of a nine-year, $10 million deal and, therefore, a restricted free agent.
Buddy likely to stay in Sydney? | 00:35
In the days prior, Franklin had been strongly linked to Brisbane, while there were also suggestions he was more likely to remain with Sydney after the club had made financial ground in negotiations.
The statement, which was described as “provocative” by veteran AFL journalist Damian Barrett on The Sunday Footy Showwas released just over 24 hours before the Swans, who are now right in the 2022 premiership mix, were to face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Swans coach John Longmire said on Saturday the club supported Franklin’s decision, labeling it a “really sensitive” move considering his stage of his footy career. Swans chairman Andrew Pridham told 7NewsMelbourne the Swans were “very supportive” of Franklin’s approach, adding: “I see no need to rush an outcome.”
But speaking on Channel 9’s The Sunday Footy Showfour-time Power best and fairest winner Kane Cornes suggested the timing of Franklin’s statement was selfish and “really strange”.
“It was a very ‘me, me, me’ thing to do, I thought, from Buddy Franklin when the Sydney Swans are flying,” Cornes said on Sunday morning.
Lance Franklin of the Swans against the North Melbourne Kangaroos. Picture: Michael WillsonSource: Getty Images
“They’ve paid him $10 million over nine years … I understand that (he’s delivered on his contract), but 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.”
It all comes after it was reported last month Franklin could leave the Swans – or even call time on his career – with the key forward left frustrated by a low-ball contract offer.
Reports have indicated that he wants between $700,000 and $800,000 next season, but the Swans, who want Franklin to play on, initially offered him a deal between $500,000 and $600,000. Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph suggested if Franklin was paid close to the $800,000 mark, it “makes it hard to keep that (Sydney) list together.”
Asked if it was selfish for Franklin to ask for as much as $800,000 next year, triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy: “It’s hard to say ‘selfish’ because he’s brought a lot of value to that football club. However you need to have an expectation late in your career that your salary is going to come down.
Is Buddy going back to Brisbane? | 00:33
“You’d probably look at the Tom Brady comparison. Tom Brady always played well below market value provided he had weapons and tools around him – and he’s gone on to win seven Super Bowls.
“You feel like the legacy for Buddy to win another premiership and end his career is more important than an extra $100,000 to $200,000.”
St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said it was a “mature” decision by Franklin considering the premiership opportunity the Swans have this year, but said it was now doubtful the left-footer would be wearing red and white in 2023.
“I don’t think it necessarily augurs that well for him being at Sydney next year,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s Best On Ground.
“Whether that’s at another club or retirement, it puts that little seed of doubt in. But they’re not going to talk about it now.”
Seven-time All-Australian Nathan Buckley added: “He’s had success at both clubs, he’s been an established player over a long period of time, he’s contributed heavily to both of his organisations.
“If for family reasons or personal reasons he wants to go and play somewhere else or not play at all – which he might be considering – he’s entitled to it.”
Sydney officials are sweating on the severity of champion midfielder Josh Kennedy’s potentially season-ending hamstring strain suffered in the VFL on Sunday morning.
Kennedy hurt his left hamstring lunging towards North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas as the Kangaroo burst out of the center in the second quarter at Arden Street Oval.
The Swans are referring to the 34-year-old’s setback as a strain but remain unsure of how serious it is. He won 10 disposals before limping from the field.
Kennedy’s injury coincided with Kangaroos star Ben Cunnington playing his first game in 379 days since being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Cunnington, who won the first center clearance of the match, finished with 18 disposals and three tackles before calling it a day at three-quarter time.
Kennedy’s hopes of forcing his way back into the Swans’ senior side for finals now hang by a thread.
He was Sydney’s medical substitute last week but has otherwise played at second-tier level for the past month since missing eight weeks recovering from a serious right hamstring tendon injury against Carlton in May.
Swans coach John Longmire has consistently praised Kennedy’s attitude and leadership this season while he adjusts to going from an all-time club great to being a fringe member of the squad.
Kennedy is yet to indicate publicly whether he plans to continue into a 17th AFL season next year that would give him the chance to bring up his 300-game milestone.
The former co-captain has appeared only 11 times at senior level this season, which would be the lowest in his 13 seasons in Sydney after crossing from Hawthorn.
Kennedy’s honor roll includes playing in the Swans’ 2012 premiership, winning three Bob Skilton Medals as the club’s best and fairest and being a triple All-Australian.
He has won the most contested possessions (4006) of any AFL footballer since the statistic was recorded.
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.
A former first-round pick is drawing interest from clubs in his home state of Victoria.
Plus Geelong’s “number one target” in the upcoming trade period revealed.
Get the latest AFL player movement news in Trade Whispers!
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POWER FIRST-ROUND PICK COULD BE HEADING HOME
Miles Bergman is drawing interest from Victorian clubs and veteran SA journalist Michelangelo Rucci believes he will not be at Port Adelaide next year.
The 20-year-old has played seven games this season after featuring 23 times in his 2021 debut season, including playing in both finals.
A first-round pick in 2019, Bergman is contracted for another season but Rucci reported he is drawing interest from teams in his home state.
“We know there’s going to be an enormous trade market, but it’s not just going to be players falling out of contract,” Rucci said on SEN SA’s The Run Home.
“Miles Bergman is under contract until 2023, the end of next season. But he has – what I’ve been told – fair interest from a few Victorian clubs to lure him back to Melbourne.
“He was a first-round draft pick, number 14 for Port Adelaide in 2019, has a Rising Star nomination last year and had a difficult past 12 months with Covid.
“If he gets tempted to move, Port are going to have some interesting talks with clubs about what they want back.
“I don’t think (he will be at Port next year).”
Bergman was the Rising Star nominated in Round 21 last year after being selected with Pick 14 in the 2019 draft, in between Will Day (Hawthorn) and Cody Weightman (Western Bulldogs), and just before Mitch Georgiades (Port Adelaide) and Sam De Koning (Geelong).
Best three kicks at goal since Plugger | 00:58
CATS’ NUMBER ONE TARGET REVEALED
Geelong is prioritizing contracted GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper in the upcoming trade period, reports SEN’s Sam Edmund.
The Cats are one of a number of clubs showing interest in Hopper, who is among a group of Giants expected to depart the club this off-season.
His midfield mate Tim Taranto has been linked to clubs including Richmond and Collingwood, while the Tigers and Adelaide have interest in Hopper.
The Cats have also been linked to Geelong Falcons product and 2020 first-round pick Tanner Bruhn, but reported Edmund Hopper is their number one target.
“GWS, all bets are off here, they might be the most active in the trade window which we’ve spoken about as they look to balance the books,” he said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“It’s not an exodus as such, I think it will be really targeted in terms of who they let go and they’ve got some levers to pull here given not all their players are in contract.
“Tanner Bruhn is definitely out, he wants to get back to Victoria only two years after being taken with Pick 12 in the 2020 draft.
“Bobby Hill has wanted a trade since this time last year, and Tim Taranto is out of contract and widely expected to seek a fresh start.
“And then there’s his midfield running mate Jacob Hopper, who’s got a year to run but Geelong have expressed a real interest in him, as well as Jordan De Goey.
“I think Hopper is their number one target there.
“Nick Haynes has been raised, contracted long term, Lachie Whitfield even just around the edges as well as someone who’s locked in for the long term as well.
“So there’s a bit to work out at GWS also with a new coach coming in.”
Former Adelaide coach Don Pyke has apologized for the 2018 pre-season camp amid growing scrutiny of his role in it, as players continue to speak out.
On Saturday Bryce Gibbs joined Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts as past Adelaide players opening up on their disturbing experiences.
Gibbs backed up Jenkins and Betts’ claims, including about counselors asking the players for personal information which was then used to abuse them during camp rituals.
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Jenkins revealed during the now-infamous ‘harness’ incident he asked Pyke and Crows development manager Heath Younie why it was taking place, telling them “we lost a game of footy (the 2017 Grand Final), we are all good people, this is rubbish and I think we should all leave”.
Crows higher-ups have also been criticized for their handling of the camp fall-out, with Jenkins claiming the club told players it had signed confidentiality agreements on their behalf, and that after Indigenous players’ reaction to the camp, it was suggested they as a group would be excluded from the leadership program.
The Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson wrote this weekend: “Coach Don Pyke, who was on the camp and surely aware of the distress and distrust growing within his playing group, needed to be better.
“I needed to stop it. Someone had to and he was coach.”
Buddy likely to stay in Sydney? | 00:35
Now a Swans assistant, Pyke delivered an apology while speaking to media at Melbourne Airport on Saturday.
“To Josh and Eddie and the Adelaide players and staff who were involved, I apologize for the camp. It’s saddened me to see they’re feeling that way. I acknowledge the hurt and I’m sorry,” he said.
“I’ve been in contact with both of them, haven’t had a chance to speak to them yet but have spoken to a couple of the other guys. Clearly it’s a sad time for us all. I’ll reach out to some other guys in the next couple of days.
“Clearly we’re always reflecting, there’s a couple of components there – firstly with Eddie and Josh, the fact they feel personal information they provided was used against them, that’s disappointing and unacceptable. I’m saddened by that, sorry for that.
“Clearly we entered as I’ve said before, a space to improve from a performance viewpoint. And that space had some challenges and we got it wrong, that has to be acknowledged. Whether it was our planning, whether it was our assessment, the execution or the follow-up or the debriefing following the events of the camp, clearly it was an error and I’ve apologized to the playing group before and I apologise again.
“I respect Eddie and Josh for speaking out and saying their piece about how they felt about the camp. It’s put it on the agenda and on the table for discussion. It’s important we have the discussion to try and deal with the issues that arise from that.
“If there’s still people with ongoing issues we support them and we try and actually move on from this. It’s a challenging time for all of us but one that we’ll hopefully get through.”
Pyke was also asked whether he believed his role in the camp would impact his chances of getting another senior coaching role, such as at GWS, but said that it was “for others” to discuss.
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.
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.”
