Tasmania’s CEO has touched on links to Nick Daicos. Plus two players set to be restricted free agents in a crop that could be as a little as five.

Stay up to date with all the latest trade and free agency news from around the league in AFLTrade Whispers.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

‘Swans Year of Redemption’ | 04:06

DEVILS CHIEF ON DAICOS LINKS

Tasmanian Devils CEO Brendon Gale says the club could offer Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos a “compelling package” to lure him to the 19th club.

But Gale assured the Devils would avoid putting all its eggs in the one basket with regards to their spendings when trying to attract talent to build their inaugural side.

A potential Daicos to Tasmania move has been constantly speculated on already ahead of the club’s entry into the AFL in 2028.

The Devils are set to have a $5 million sign-on bonus that sits outside the salary cap over their first two years to help them land their inaugural stars.

Money vs Reality: Simmo defends Nas | 02:42

Gale said Tassie would clearly be keen to add a player of Daicos’ ilk but emphasised the club would have a balanced approach in building its list.

“In the case of Nick, I can imagine we can offer him a compelling package,” Gale said on Channel 7.

“But it’s what (Collingwood would) want, and clearly he’s contracted, so there would be a whole stack of draft capital.

“There’s a lot of speculation about Nick, he’s a wonderful player and he’s going to be eagerly sought after. But we’ve got to get the balance right.

“Clearly we need to look at these sorts of opportunities, these players are difference makers. Bur we need to consider our overall risk profile and our list profile.

“We need to be balanced and we certainly can’t put all our stocks in one player, notwithstanding what a great player Nick Daicos is.”

DEMON, HAWK SET TO BE RESTRICTED FAS

Only five restricted free agents?

Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch and Hawthorn’s Jarman Impey are likely to be among as little as five restricted free agents ahead of the release of the 2026 class’s bandings, reports AFL Media.

That group would also include superstar trio Zak Butters, Ben King and Zac Bailey as three of the biggest names set to hit the market.

Meanwhile Brisbane’s Lachie Neale, Sydney’s Joel Amartey and Mitch Lewis are all projected to be unrestricted free agents, meaning they can walk to the club of their choice without their current sides having the power to match an offer.

Opening round criticism continues | 02:58

The league is reportedly finalising its official free agency list and which names quality for restricted status and which will be unrestricted.

To be eligible for restricted free agency, a player needs to have served eight or more years at a club and rank within the top 25 per cent of earners at their club.

A player who has been previously delisted or moved clubs as a free agent, or those who have served 10-plus years at a team automatically receive unrestricted free agency status.