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!
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
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.”
Rising interest rates might be putting off some people from purchasing a property amid fears they cannot afford the mortgage stress.
But whether you are looking for a house to make your home, or an investment property, there are still some bargains to be found across Australia.
Real Estate Institute of Australia president Hayden Groves told NCA NewsWire markets like Sydney, spurred on by low interest rates and economic stimulus, had experienced rapid price gains of about 30 per cent in 2021, peaking earlier this year.
“Other east coast markets have performed similarly well and are now beginning to moderate as affordability constraints impact,” he said.
“In contrast, the markets of Perth and Darwin, since early 2020, have underperformed comparative to east coast cities.
“They are now enviable, more affordable and continue to grow thanks to migration-led demand, strong economies and tight housing supply.”
Mr Groves observed that in the hyper-inflated markets of Sydney and Hobart, prices were beginning to rationalize due to buyer uncertainty.
“Brisbane’s market remains buoyant thanks to migration pressures fueling demand, whereas Adelaide continues to perform well thanks to the flow-down effects from relocations from higher priced regions across Melbourne,” he said.
“Price rises have already reversed in Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart, while Perth and Adelaide remain strong off the back of more constrained growth.”
Mr Groves said Perth remained the most affordable capital in Australia.
“Average mortgage holders part with around 24 per cent of their wages to service their loans,” he said.
“Compared this to Sydney-siders who currently give up on average 46 per cent of their salary to meet their mortgage payments.
“Median house prices in Perth are about $550,000, less than half that of Sydney’s median prices and well below Hobart, Brisbane and Adelaide.”
Darwin and some major regional city areas in eastern Victoria, north Adelaide and northeast Tasmania also offered good value, Mr Groves added.
He noted interest rates remained low and were coming up from “emergency” levels.
“It is good news that Australian property markets head back to a more balanced environment, although as housing supply remains below underlying demand, property values are likely to retain much of their gains experienced since early 2020,” he said.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae says he’d “love” Jordan De Goey to stay at the club beyond this season amid uncertainty around the star free agent’s future.
De Goey was influential with 25 disposals, 10 contested, one goal and nine clearances in the Magpies’ thrilling seven-point win over Melbourne on Friday night, a performance McRae believes was “his best game of the year.”
Collingwood pulled a $3.2 million contract offer to De Goey after his Bali exploits earlier this year and put off contract talks with the star midfielder/forward until season’s end as rival clubs including St Kilda circle.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
And speaking after the Pies’ 11th-straight win on Friday night, McRae hoped De Goey would recommit to the club.
McRae hopes De Goey stays at the Pies (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“He’s a free agent. That’s his right to explore his options. I speak authentically; I’d love Jordy to stay. I would,” the Magpies coach said.
“That’s going to create a headline but we’ll just live in the moment and let Jordy keep being himself in our environment and make us better. Nights like tonight are good examples of his assets from him that makes us better.
“I thought it was his best game for the year. I thought he was a star. I thought I genuinely flipped the game around clearance.
“We couldn’t get the ball out of center bounces, we got smashed in there again and he just had this shrug the shoulders and swagger to get out of traffic.”
It comes a week after De Goey was best-on-ground in Collingwood’s win over Port Adelaide after returning from a three-game absence with a quad issue.
Teammate and close friend Brayden Maynard also wanted to see the De Goey stay in the black and white beyond 2023.
“He’s not going anywhere, I’ll make sure of that. I haven’t had a chat with him about it, but I’m sure he’ll make the right call,” he told Fox Footy post-match.
“If we want to leave, then he leaves, but I’m in his ear at the moment. I just want what’s best for him, so just got to be with him.”
Collingwood Magpies press conference | 09:16
The 25-year old’s contact negotiations are one of several big ticket items for Collingwood to address ahead of an eventful off-season, with Brodie Grundy’s future also uncertain as the Pies have been linked to the likes of Dan McStay, Tim Taranto and Bobby Hill .
De Goey has averaged a career-best 21.1 disposals per contest this season and booted 15 goals from as many games as he plays for arguably the most significant contract extension of his career.
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt thinks De Goey staying at the Magpies on a shorter deal might be in his best interests to stay “on the edge” instead of taking up a more lucrative offer elsewhere.
“I think that’s what you weigh up and the situation that’s going to bring the best out of yourself,” he said on Fox Footy.
“If being on the edge and only having a two-year deal is going to mean you make really good decisions in terms of your career, then maybe that’s the best thing for him.
“Rather than just looking at big carrot financially and security, maybe playing on the edge might be the best alternative.”
The swimming is officially over at the Commonwealth Games and while Australia dominated with a towering medal tally, there was plenty of attention on the Dolphins over what was happening outside the pool.
Kyle Chalmers slammed the media for delving into a reported “love triangle” between himself, Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson, saying all the attention and “clickbait” focused on his personal life might drive him out of the sport.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Chalmers was romantically involved with McKeon before she started dating Simpson, whose incredible comeback to swimming from his music career has been one of the biggest storylines in Birmingham.
The swimmers involved have repeatedly denied there’s any bad blood between them, while Chalmers went on the offensive and ripped into the media. His father Brett did the same, blasting the national obsession with Simpson as he complained not enough credit was being directed to other swimmers and their achievements in Birmingham.
Kyle Chalmers’ outstanding results were overshadowed by his angst with the media. Picture: Glyn KIRK / AFPSource: AFP
Candice drops truth bombs on Kyle
Ex-Aussie swimmer turned popular TV presenter Johanna Griggs said earlier in the week Chalmers was “feeding” the media frenzy by constantly engaging with it, and former Ironwoman Candice Warner is on the same page.
Warner said she was “really surprised” by how Chalmers handled the headlines, saying she expected someone who dealt with the attention thrust upon him in 2016 when he won gold in the 100m freestyle at the Rio Olympics to be better prepared for the media barrage.
“He knows how to deal with the pressure. Why is he allowing the media to make these comments?” Warner told Fox Sports program The Back Page this week.
“Why hasn’t he put a self-imposed media ban (on himself) until the Games are over? I’m just really a little bit confused by the situation and why he’s engaging with the media.
“He’s not in the wrong, but he also has the power and ability to stop it and also just to focus on his swim events.
“Should I know how to deal with this pressure? Should I know how to deal with this completely?”
Reports of possible friction between Chalmers and Simpson first emerged at this year’s national championships in Adelaide, leading Warner to question why the 24-year-old wasn’t more prepared for the questions he’d face in Birmingham.
“Would there not have been a strategy put into place before these Games? We haven’t just started talking about this now, we’ve been speaking about this love triangle before the Commonwealth Games,” Warner said.
She adding Chalmers’ team and Swimming Australia should have “put some sort of strategy into place knowing this could have been a possibility”.
Warner also said Chalmers — who she described as an “alpha male” — would understandably be affected by McKeon’s relationship with Simpson given their history, suggesting “his ego would be burnt a little bit”.
Candice Warner believes Chalmers needed to come into the Commonwealth Games with a smarter strategy. Picture: Michael Errey/AFPSource: AFP
‘He likes the attention but not the scrutiny’
Chalmers has been irked by attention being lavished on Simpson and his personal life at the expense of other swimmers whose feats also deserve praise. Courier Mail chief sports writer Robert Craddock suggested Chalmers craves positive headlines about himself but can’t handle it when coverage isn’t so rosy.
“It appears to me as if he likes the attention but not the scrutiny — and there is just a fine line between them and they often overlap,” Craddock told The Back Page.
“I think he’s one of those guys who can’t live with it and can’t live without it and finds it very awkward.
“He’s on Instagram, he’s out there, he’s happy to put himself front and center but like a lot of swimmers, when it’s big time, when it’s Games time, the force of the coverage hits them hard.”
Australian swimming legend Susie O’Neill had a different take on how the situation has affected the national team in Birmingham.
O’Neill — who was in Tokyo for last year’s Olympics — was adamant there is no rift among the Dolphins and said it’s harder for athletes these days to block out negative publicity because of social media and the insatiable news cycle.
“I think what they’re struggling with is, if you think about swimmers, they spend 30-40 hours a week trying to improve one one-hundredth of a second — such specific, objective goals,” she told The Back Page.
“So when they get asked subjective questions not even to do with their sport, you know, reality TV stuff, they’re confused and I think get offended by that.”
The sprint king wanted to silence his critics. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Why Chalmers is kicking up a stink
Meanwhile, SEN boss Craig Hutchison believes Chalmers is struggling in adjusting to the added scrutiny because he’s been so used to positive coverage for the majority of his career.
“He has had a charmed run as a young man with the media. That rarely happens to the bulk of society and you get a disproportionate comfort that you are … a figure that gets a lot of adulation,” Hutchison said on his media podcast The Sounding Board.
“So when things go wrong, you’re not emotionally equipped to necessarily handle the negativity.
“Then it often sways the other way because you overreact, or react to a certain way.”
Journalist Damian Barrett told The Sounding Board: “What he (Chalmers) doesn’t get… you can’t control media. No matter who you are and what run you’ve got.”
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.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Six polarizing finals contenders, latest trade whispers
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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.”
South Australian artist Cathy Gray hopes highlighting the plight of disappearing native plants will empower Australians to do more to protect them.
Key points:
Artist highly commended for her work depicting endangered native plants
756 out of the 758 critically endangered and endangered species feature in the drawing
Her mandala will be hung at the National Archives in Canberra until the end of November
Her piece Endangered has won The People’s Choice Dr Wendy Wickes Memoriam Prize as a part of the South Australian Museum’s Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize.
It was also highly commended by judges for its depiction of the fragile relationship between the arts and the natural world.
Ms Gray’s illustration captured 756 of Australia’s 758 critically endangered and endangered species.
She said while she didn’t win the major prize, it was great that it resonated with people who saw the drawing up close.
Ms Gray says she was humbled by the recognition.(Supplied)
“It’s a bit surreal and just such an honour,” Ms Gray said.
“I think for my work especially, it’s very hard to see online and in a photo, but when you go in and you see it in person, just to have that connection and for it to resonate with people, it’s really important.
“We actually have more foreign species now in Australia then we do native.”
Ms Gray says some of the plants featured in her drawing haven’t been seen for 20 years.(Supplied)
She said the loss of Australia’s endangered species was happening right in front of people.
“It’s the plants we may have in our neighborhoods and because of that I believe unlike some environmental issues, people may be empowered to make a difference,” Ms Gray said.
She said she spent more than 400 hours researching and producing the detailed pen-inked mandala.
Ms Gray says two plants were missing because she couldn’t find any photos of them. (Supplied)
She said the most challenging aspect of the piece was researching all the different species and trying to find good photos of each one.
“I actually put it out there on Facebook, and people started to tag botanists they knew and people working in botanical gardens, and those botanists contacted their connections that they had around Australia,” she said.
“They all came together for me, it was a huge challenge for everybody to try and get these last 35 plants.
“Every single plant that is drawn on here might not be around if we don’t make changes, or [we] don’t do something to help these plants.”
The piece will be on display at the National Archives in Canberra.(Supplied)
The drawing will be on display in the National Archives in Canberra until November.
The People’s Choice Dr Wendy Wickes Memoriam Prize recognizes the significance of the public vote, a unique feature of the award, providing visitors with the opportunity to decide on the piece they think most reflects the spirit of the Waterhouse.
The competition is open to artists from around Australia.
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.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
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.
NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Six polarizing finals contenders, latest trade whispers
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
“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.
Severe weather warnings are in place in five states and territories as gale-force winds and thunderstorm conditions near a NSW ski resort.
Winds of up to 100km/h have hit NSW, Victoria and Tasmania early on Thursday.
Canberra could see two months’ worth of rain fall in just 24 hours after 40mm of rain hit the ACT since midnight.
The cold front that whipped up damaging winds in Western Australia earlier this week has moved east across the Great Australian Bight overnight.
A complex low pressure system moving across the Great Australian Bight and an associated through and cold front are causing vigorous north-westerly winds across southeast NSW.
NSW and Victorian snowfields are set to suffer under a downpour of rain and gale-force winds, prompting Thredbo resort to close all lifts for the day.
Damaging north-westerly winds and dangerous surf are forecast throughout the day in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, NSW and the ACT, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Heavy rainfall is expected in some regions, and the bureau is monitoring the situation for isolated major flooding possible in catchments in southern NSW, northern Tasmania and Victoria’s northeast.
Sheep graziers across the south of NSW, ACT and parts of South Australia are warned that cold temperatures, showers and gusty winds are expected through Friday. There is a risk to lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
NSW/ ACT
Damaging wind gusts of more than 125km/h are likely for alpine areas above 1900m on Thursday.
Khancoban, behind Perisher Valley recorded a wind gust of 100 km/h at 2am while nearby Cabramurra recorded a gust of 98 km/h just after midnight.
The Snowy Mountains and South West Slopes could receive between 45mm and 60mm of rainfall.
Lightning and gale-force winds are expected throughout the day and have prompted Thredbo resort to shut down all lifts for the day to the disappointment of holiday-makers.
Just 22 of Perisher resort’s 53 lifts are open on Thursday and will continue to be monitored throughout the day for safety.
Inland water catchments are on flood watch as heavy rainfall across the central and southwest of the state could bring minor to isolated major flooding.
Saturated soils in the Central Tablelands and Illawarra will bring an increased risk of fallen trees and powerlines in powerful winds.
The west ranges of the ACT, east to Bombala, south to Crookwell and north to Oberon can expect damaging winds of up to 90km/h on Thursday morning.
South Australia
Strong to damaging winds smashed the western and southern coasts of the state on Wednesday afternoon.
They will return again on Thursday, bringing showers and thunderstorms to widespread areas of the south.
Up to 60mm of heavy rainfall is possible for parts of the Lofty Ranges into Thursday evening and Friday morning.
The area is on watch for a localized riverine or flash flood threat.
Victory
High-speed winds of up to 100km/h lashed the alpine regions on Wednesday and may return on Thursday.
Mt Hotham recorded 56.4mm in the 6 hours to midnight this morning.
Some parts of the state will receive up to 60mm of heavy rainfall throughout the morning, though most will average under 40mm.
A severe thunderstorm warning was canceled on Wednesday but conditions may return.
Rainfall of between 5mm and 10mm brought minor flood warnings for Seven and Castle creeks near Shepparton.
Tasmanian
Winds of up to 100km/h reached the state’s higher ground overnight and strong winds are expected to stick around through Thursday in coastal areas.
A minor flood warning is current for the Mersey, Meander, North Esk and Macquarie rivers.
Thunderstorms in the north and west of the state may drive more strong wind likes and higher rainfall totals.
Another rival club has been linked to Brodie Grundy, while St Kilda’s interest in his teammate hasn’t cooled.
Plus Fremantle is keeping tabs on a fringe Crow.
Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Six polarizing finals contenders, latest trade whispers
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
NEW SUIT FOR PIES STAR
Port Adelaide has emerged as a suitor for Brodie Grundy should the star ruck wish to be traded at season’s end, reports 7NewsMelbourne.
Multiple reports have indicated Grundy’s management are preparing to be asked by Collingwood about the possibility of trading the dual All-Australian, even though he’s contracted to the club until the end of 2027 on a deal worth around $1 million per season.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae last week declared on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 he wanted Grundy at the club next season, but remained tight-lipped on whether he was up for trade.
The Giants reportedly have interest in Grundy – speculation that grew last month when Grundy’s manager was seen meeting with Giants football boss Jason McCartney, where the dual All-Australian’s future was reportedly discussed.
But 7NewsMelbourne reported the Power was also keeping tabs on Grundy’s situation.
McRae evasive on Grundy & De Goey trades | 01:54
“Port Adelaide is interested in where Grundy is going to end up and his trade status at the end of the year,” reporter Tom Browne told 7NewsMelbourne. “But at this stage the Power don’t see Grundy leaving Victoria
“If Grundy approves, Collingwood is expected to gauge his trade interest post-season.”
Power premiership player Kane Cornes last month flagged his old club as an appropriate destination for Grundy should he be prepared to move home, telling SEN Breakfast the Power could “absolutely use” Grundy and adding: “He’d fit in at Port Adelaide and take over from Scott Lycett.”
DOCKERS ‘IDENTIFY’ FRINGE CROW TO POSSIBLY FILL CHASM
Crows forward Elliott Himmelberg has been identified by Fremantle as a possible trade acquisition, reports SEN SA.
The Dockers are bracing to lose goalkicker Rory Lobb, who’s expected to request a trade at season’s end despite still being contracted to Freo.
Himmelberg, 24, kicked bags of four goals in Adelaide’s wins over the Power and Tigers earlier this season, but has struggled for senior game time this year with Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty the preferred key-position combination.
Subsequently, Fremantle is reportedly keeping tabs on Himmelberg, who’s kicked 38 goals from just 37 games since being taken with Pick 51 in the 2016 draft.
Busy off-season looms for the Dockers | 00:56
“Fremantle are putting together their list of how they overcome the issues of what they’ve got in attack, or don’t have in attack,” veteran journalist Michelangelo Rucci told SEN SA’s The Run Home.
“And the player that they’re identifying – I stress identifying, so they’re doing their due diligence – is Elliott Himmelberg at Adelaide. He’s out of contract, they think he’s the fit for them.
“We know he’s a tall player who can play forward and ruck – they want him as a forward. They desperately need to shore up their attack.
“He is growing with interest at Fremantle.”
SAINTS INSIST DE GOEY INTERESTED HASN’T COOLED
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten insists his club’s interest in Jordan De Goey hasn’t waned, even though the board has yet to approve a pursuit of the Collingwood free agent.
It was revealed earlier this week the Saints’ board had asked the football department for more information about De Goey, who’s out of contract at season’s end and eligible for free agency.
The Age reported the board wanted clarity around how De Goey would fit within the club’s playing list, as well as its leadership and values.
St Kilda Saints press conference | 06:25
But Ratten denied that it was a sign that the club had cooled on its pursuit of De Goey, saying it was perfectly normal for the board to ask questions about the star Magpie before potentially recruiting him.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re employing new staff members or players, we have to run things past the board and they have the right to challenge and ask questions and see where we’re at with it,” Ratten said.
“He’s very talented but we’re still working through that.”
