SYDNEY has reportedly entered the race for Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin as the star forward prepares to make his intentions clear to Hawthorn in the coming days.
The Swans, who acquired Kurt Tippett last year on a lucrative contract, are prepared to offer Franklin $7 million over five years in order to further strengthen their side.
News Limited report that the numerous trades and retirements expected at Sydney this pre season will allow Sydney to be able to make the audacious play for Franklin.
Franklin is widely tipped to join Greater Western Sydney, though a move to their cross-town rival would surely raise the issue of the club’s infamous cost of living allowance.
The free agency period opens on Friday.
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RICHMOND have re-signed Dustin Martin after the player yesterday accepted Richmond’s original offer.
Martin had been exploring his options, though a lack of interest in the troubled star severely limited his potential to move.
News Limited report that Essendon met with Martin’s manager, Ralph Carr, on Sunday night about a potential switch, though Martin was ultimately keen to stay at Richmond.
The announcement of of Martin’s re-signing was made at the club’s best and fairest, where Martin finished second behind Daniel Jackson, who claimed his first Jack Dyer medal.
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GRAND FINAL heroes Brian Lake and Cyril Rioli look set to start their premiership defence on the sidelines after being handed down bans by the Match Review Panel yesterday.Lake, the Norm Smith medallist, can accept a three-week suspension for striking Michael Walters while Cyril Rioli can accept a one-week suspension for his ‘chicken wing’ tackle on Michael Barlow.Both players had the points allocated for their incidents doubled due to the AFL’s “double-demerit” policy that is active for grand finals.
Meanwhile, Fremantle’s Nick Suban has been referred straight to the tribunal after making “unnecessary and unreasonable” contact to Sam Mitchell.
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NORTH MELBOURNE appear to be in the box seat to snare St Kilda veteran Nick Dal Santo.
Dal Santo, who has attracted interest from both North Melbourne and Essendon, has met the requirements to trigger an automatic extension to his contract.
It means that Dal Santo would either have to reject the extension and leave as a free agent, or orchestrate a trade with any potential suitor.
News Limited also report that North Melbourne are also pursuing Carlton’s Eddie Betts.
Betts looks likely to leave the Blues, with Adelaide reportedly the most interested in the small forward’s services.
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BRISBANE youngster Sam Docherty has reportedly nominated Carlton as his preferred destination as the Lions fight to retain their young players.
News Limited report that Docherty will have to wait though, as Carlton prioritise the signing of Dale Thomas from Collingwood and other potential trades.
Should Carlton not be able to orchestrate a deal, the Western Bulldogs and Essendon loom as potential homes for Docherty after meeting with the two clubs last week.
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AFL off-season key dates
Friday 4 October – Gillette AFL restricted free agency offer and unrestricted free agency period begins.
Friday 4 October by 2pm – Gillette AFL father-son bidding nominations; Academy bidding nominations lodged with AFL.
Monday 7 October 10am – father/son and Academy players bidding meeting; Gillette AFL Trade period begins.
Friday 18 October at 5pm – close of Gillette AFL restricted free agency offer and unrestricted free agency period.
Monday 21 October – Gillette AFL restricted free agency matching offer three-day period ends.
Friday 25 October at 2pm – Gillette AFL Trade period closes.
Thursday 31 October by 2pm – list lodgement (1); rookie promotion to primary list; retained second and third-year rookies; scholarship players; alternate talent player nominations.
Friday 1 November – Gillette AFL delisted player free agency period (1) begins.
Friday 8 November – international players inclusion on rookie list form; players not registered or played for 3 years rookie list form lodgement.
Wednesday 13 November – Gillette AFL delisted player free agency period (1) closes; out of contract listed AFL primary list players draft nomination form and player request for removal from list form lodged with AFL; new or expired (after 3 years) draft nomination form lodgement. Priority zone selections – NSW/ACTand NT on the primary list of GWS Giants.
Thursday 14 November by 2pm – list lodgement (2) and TPP estimates.
Friday 15 November – Gillette AFL delisted player free agency period (2) commences.
Monday 18 November – delisted primary list draft nomination form lodgement; non–retained rookie players draft nomination form lodgement; Gillette AFL delisted free agency period (2) concludes.
Thursday 21 November – NAB AFL Draft selection meeting (Gold Coast Convention Centre).
Friday 22 November – Gillette AFL delisted player free agency period (3) commences.
Monday 25 November – Gillette AFL delisted free agency period (3) concludes; AFL club list lodgement (3); notification of NSW and Qld pre-selected rookies, father-son pre-selected rookies, Academy pre-selected rookies, international scholarship pre-selected rookies and scholarship pre-selected rookies nominated if not selected in the pre-season draft.
Wednesday 27 November – NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft selection meeting (11am, Telstra Webex); NAB AFL Rookie Draft selection meeting (11.10am, Telstra Webex)
Monday 2 December – final list lodgement and final TPP estimates.
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