Harley Reid’s management have reportedly approached West Coast on what his future beyond 2026 may look like, with one variation potentially costing up to $20 million.

Meanwhile, with just five rounds to go until the end of their season, Essendon have a plethora of crucial list decisions to make — first and foremost, around their in-demand ruck.

And eslewhere, Melbourne have reignited interest in a Giant still yet to make their AFL debut after more than three years.

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$20M HARLEY REID CONTRACT TWIST AS MANAGEMENT PITCH TO EAGLES

Harley Reid’s management has reportedly approached West Coast on what a contract extension at the club could look like beyond 2026.

Veteran journalist Ryan Daniels reported on Triple M airwaves that the Eagles were presented with a number of options about what a new deal would look like.

One of the contract variations is reportedly a “very long-term commitment”, in what can only be seen as a positive for West Coast fans and a club desperate to retain the number one pick of the 2023 AFL National Draft.

“The latest with this one, is a bit of a strange one. Because my understand is that Harley’s management … they have put some options to the West Coast Eagles on the table to stay,” Daniels told Triple M.

“One of them in particular is a very long deal. I don’t know the specific number of years, but it was described to me as ‘very long’; so I would say you’re looking at that 9-10 (year) range.

“It would have to be between $15-20 million, and I would say we’re heading closer towards the $20m.”

Daniels noted that conversations have not advanced yet beyond the contract propositions tabled by Reid’s manager Nick Gieschen from Connors Sports Management.

Reid is contracted at Lathlain until the end of next season, however clubs from his home state of Victoria have long been circling him in a preliminary attempt to lure him out of the bottom-placed Eagles.

“Hurting deep in some souls” | 07:25

MAJOR LIST CALLS LOOM AT TULLAMARINE AS DONS STAND GROUND ON BIG MAN’S OFFER

Amid an unprecedented injury crisis at Essendon this year, lay a number of critical contract calls that look set to shape how Brad Scott’s club attack future seasons.

With well over a dozen players out of contract for season 2026 and injury preventing them from gaining an optimal read on the ceiling of their list, the Bombers are stuck in a precarious position.

The most publicised player out of contract at the club is Sam Draper, who has enticing offers from both Adelaide and Brisbane trying to lure him out of Tullamarine.

Like many of his teammates, Draper has been sidelined with injury — his more unfortunate than most however, after rupturing his Achilles tendon in Round 6 against West Coast.

As reported by The Age’s Jake Niall on Sunday morning, Essendon have not moved on the length of their contract offer for Draper — a four-year deal. The Crows and Lions are understood to have an extra year on the table for the 205cm ruck, which could be critical in whether or not Draper stays or goes.

Veteran teammates such as Dylan Shiel, Todd Goldstein and Jayden Laverde are all without a contract beyond 2025, while recent mainstays Will Setterfield and Ben Hobbs are competing with a group of mid-season draftees who have impressed since making their AFL debut.

Dons slump to 7th straight loss vs GWS | 02:10

DEES RE-IGNITE BULLISH CHASE OF UNCAPPED GIANT
After a hard and fast effort to swoop on him in last year’s trade period, Melbourne are once again bullish on trading uncapped GWS player Wade Derksen.

Seven’s Xander McGuire reports that the Demons are “ramping up” their efforts to make the 24-year-old their own, after failing to strike a trade in last year’s off-season.

Derksen had one year remaining on his contract in 2024, with the Giants holding him to the deal as any meaningful trade discussions stalled.

Both Western Australian clubs were also interested in his services last year, and could also be in the race to lure him out of western Sydney in the coming months.

“The Dees have ramped up their efforts to convince him to don the red and blue next year in recent weeks … Melbourne are leading the pack,” McGuire said on-air on Saturday night.

Taken by the Giants in the 2022 Mid-Season Draft, Derksen is yet to represent the orange and charcoal in over three years at the club, however has been a notable performer in their VFL side throughout.

The 24-year-old utility is one of nine GWS players still without a contract next season, with the club locking away most of their talent before the halfway point of this season.