West Coast’s list boss has spoken on three of the club’s trade targets — but one pursuit has hit a snag.
Plus, a surprise salary detail in Calsher Dear’s recommitment to Hawthorn. Read on in AFL Trade Whispers!
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‘INCREASE OUR SCORING POWER’: EAGLES CONFIRM INTEREST IN TRIO
West Coast list manager Matthew Clarke has confirmed his club’s interest in a trio of rival players as it aims to strengthen its list for 2027.
Speaking on Friday, Clarke confirmed that the Eagles had reached out to the management groups of Gryan Miers and Trent Rivers regarding potential interest in moves west after the club met with Jack Viney in Perth.
But in the case of Miers, his manager James Pitcher earlier in the day reiterated the forward’s commitment to the Cats, where he’s contracted for a further two years.
The 27-year-old managed 17 senior games this year while battling a complex ACL injury.
“Earlier in the year (we touched base), as most clubs do when guys are out of the team for various reasons,” Clarke told AFL Trade Radio on Friday.
“(Pitcher) is pretty strong that Gryan is keen to stay at Geelong. He’s a very loyal guy, really enjoys it there; he’s contracted for another couple of years. I think that’s where that sits at the moment with Geelong.
“I don’t expect a lot of movement there, to be fair, but we’re obviously trying to bolster the front half to increase our scoring power and connection.”
Clarke also confirmed that 2021 flag-winner Rivers, whose Dees deal runs through next year, was a player of interest.
“Trent is a WA boy; he’s played some pretty good footy for the Demons over the years; he’s a premiership player, he can add to our mix with his age profile as a 25-year-old,” Clarke said.
“There’s a bit to play out. Trent’s a free agent at the end of next year, so there’s a little bit to work through with that.”
Rivers played only 17 senior games this year under first-year senior coach Steven King, after having featured 23 or more times in each of the previous three seasons, with injury partly to blame.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Gryan Miers of the Cats looks dejected during the AFL Semi Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium, on September 11, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, West Coast expects to learn Viney’s plans next week as the Demons veteran weighs up interest from Essendon.
“Obviously it’s well-documented that Jack has been over in Perth for a few days, so a bit more of a presentation to him about us to be fair,” Clarke said.
“We’re trying to sell what he can offer to us as a group, as a footy club and as a playing list. Jack’s back in Melbourne, the Demons have got their best and fairest tonight so I’m sure he’ll take a little bit of time to assess what he’s been through the last few days.
“We understand we might have something to chat about early next week potentially, so we’ll give him the time that he needs. There may be some extra work we need to do to talk him around.”
Elsewhere, Clarke expects Chad Warner to remain at Sydney in the fallout of the Pullman Hotel scandal.
Warner is a free agent next year and has been linked to a return to his home state of Western Australia.
“Our understanding from his management group … is he’s a required player and he’s very happy where he is right now. I don’t expect any movement at our end,” Clarke said.
“We’ll obviously do our due diligence and ask the question about scenarios that played out in the last couple of months, but from where we sit right now Chad will be playing for Sydney next year.”
But Clarke suggested it was unlikely for the club to throw a lifeline to ex-Magpie and Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill.
“There is always a question to ask… it is great Bobby is trying to turn his life around and get himself fit. I think it’s unlikely, but every club will speak to his management group and ask questions,” he said
“It’s not a priority for us right now.”
SHOCK DETAIL IN YOUNG GUN’S PLEDGE AMID WATCH ON HAWKS ‘FLOW-ON EFFECT’
Hawthorn fans were as joyous as any on Friday morning after Calsher Dear’s commitment to the club for a further two years.
The 21-year-old had a four-year offer on the table from Melbourne, as well as notable interest from Geelong, but the father-son product ultimately stayed loyal to the Hawks — whose attacking half is now peppered with key forward talent.
And it’s since been revealed that Hawthorn upped its financial offer not once but twice.
According to Seven’s Tom Morris on Friday, the Hawks on Thursday increased Dear’s salary for a second time, seeing the new number “roughly doubled from the original figure”.
With Ben King’s impending arrival as a restricted free agent this off-season, Sam Mitchell’s side now boasts all of King, Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Mabior Chol, Dear and 18-year-old Aidan Schubert on their books as key forwards.
Additionally, Max Ramsden and Will McCabe remain unsigned, though the latter is reported to have a one-year deal on the table from the club.
It led Morris to believe that as part of a potential parallel trade alongside a Gold Coast free agency compensation pick, the Suns will come knocking for Schubert — despite signing a two-year extension until the end of 2029 in June this year.
“I reckon there is a flow-on effect to Calsher Dear staying at the Hawks, and that is Aidan Schubert,” Morris said on AFL Trade Radio.
“I reckon this potentially pushes him out and the Hawks say: ‘Don’t match Ben King, take the compo — which is a top 10 pick — and then we will discuss a trade for Aidan Schubert separately.”
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‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’: INTRIGUE REMAINS OVER DE GOEY’S FUTURE AT PIES
Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch has transparently spoken on the future of star midfielder Jordan De Goey, revealing a mutual parting of ways isn’t off the cards this trade season.
The 30-year-old Magpie is currently contracted until the end of 2027, but with Tasmania’s entry in the league approaching fast, their cash to splash may prove too great for some clubs to compete with.
Speaking to AFL Trade Radio on Friday morning, Leppitsch emphasised that while he would love De Goey to be in black and white next season, the club is mostly “open for business” on all but one or two players.
“We hope (he’s on our list). You always want to sit here and say: ‘He’s not going anywhere’, or anything like that,” Leppitsch said.
“But, we’ve also got to be open for business as well at this time of the year. Obviously, there’s always one or two players (that aren’t) — I could probably sit here safely and say Nick Daicos isn’t going anywhere.
“We’ve had really mature conversations with Jordy and (his manager) Ryan (Vague). Jordy is really after finishing his career, getting that last contract and probably go into the next phase of his life.
“So, he’s very much looking at it from a business perspective and we’re the same. At this point in time nothing will happen, there’s no movement and no options for either party. We’re expecting him to be with us next year.
When asked if the club had spoken with De Goey regarding what might be next, Leppitsch added: “If something happens this year that suits both parties, then great. If not, we go into next year and we look to recontract Jordy.
“We all know Tasmania’s coming next. I think we all have a good idea of what’s going to happen, but then there’s other times you’re thinking: ‘Geez, this is a bit unprecedented in some ways, where we know what could happen to some players on your list’.”
Adelaide list boss Jarryd Roughead spoke later on Friday morning, saying De Goey is “not one we would expect to be going after.”
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