A “serious contender” has emerged for delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin while an “honest conversation” has cast doubt over the future of a popular Blues player.
Plus — Patrick Dangerfield looks to be closer to securing a new deal with Geelong.
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‘SERIOUS CONTENDER’ IN THE RACE FOR DELISTED BLUES FORWARD
It is the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that Geelong specialises in and according to The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark, Jack Martin could be the latest name for the Cats to gamble on.
Martin was among five Blues players to be delisted by the club last week, having only managed 54 games across five seasons with the club after struggling with injuries.
The 29-year-old only made three appearances for Carlton this season and while he has reportedly undergone a medical at Fremantle amid interest from the Dockers, the Cats have emerged as a “serious contender” according to Clark.
Clark noted that while the Dockers have “strong interest” Martin “would prefer to stay in Melbourne”.
“That puts the Cats in a really strong position,” Clark added on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night.
Clark suggested something like a two-year deal at around $350,000 to $400,000 a season would be enough to get Martin to sign on with Geelong, describing it as a “low-cost and risk-free” move.
“The Cats have been masters in this area,” Clark said.
“They find the mature-age player, maybe with a few injury issues and plug him straight in. He’s got a lot of talent… I think the big question for the Cats is can they get his body right, because otherwise I think he could fit into that best 22.”
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Former Geelong list boss and now football manager Andrew Mackie spoke to Clark back in 2022, revealing how the team had been able to consistently stay competitive — and his words remain relevant to this day considering the risk versus reward debate that comes with targeting Martin.
“What we do know is this competition is even, so if you make a binary decision to say, ‘We are rebuilding’ then that is potential pain for a long time,” Mackie said at the time.
“What’s the point of being conservative and safe?
“We could do that. But we are really open and OK to explore outside the norm. We have had to. If we see something like, we aren’t afraid to pull the trigger.”
The Herald Sun’s Josh Barnes pointed to Gary Ablett and Gary Rohan as some examples of Geelong’s success with that approach, although he also brought up the likes of Jonathon Ceglar, Shaun Higgins, Josh Jenkins, Jack Steven and Aaron Black as proof it doesn’t always work out.
“I’m not sure where Jack Martin fits in this Geelong forward line,” Barnes said.
“They like to play Tyson Stengle close to goal, everyone else runs really hard. He’s going to have to have a massive off-season if he’s going to get a game for Geelong.”
Robbo slams AFL for fining Ken Hinkley | 03:56
DANGERFIELD TO GET HIS GEELONG WISH
Speaking of the Cats, Jon Ralph reported on the Midweek Tackle that Patrick Dangerfield is set to get the two-year extension he is after at the end of the season.
Dangerfield’s focus is understandably on guiding the Cats to a flag, with Ralph adding that for the time being both the club and his manager are “waiting until he gets through the season unscathed” to put pen to paper.
Once that happens, Dangerfield will get his wish of a multi-year deal to remain at Geelong.
KENNEDY’S FUTURE AT BLUES ‘IN THE AIR’ AFTER ‘HONEST CONVERSATION’
Elsewhere, Matt Kennedy’s future at Carlton is clouded after what Barnes described as an “honest conversation” with the club earlier in the week.
Kennedy is contracted with the Blues next year and while it is considered more likely at this stage that he will stay put, there is a possibility the 27-year-old could look elsewhere should he desire more playing time in the midfield.
It comes after Seven’s Mitch Cleary reported Kennedy was one of three players to be told by the Blues to consider their future, with claims he wants to play more as an inside midfielder while Carlton wants him at half-forward.
Speaking on the Midweek Tackle, Barnes stressed that Kennedy is “much-loved” at Carlton and that, while frank, the meeting he had earlier this week with Blues officials was not held with the intention of trying to push him out.
“They’re not saying pack up your bags but if you would like to play more midfield you’re not going to do it at Carlton,” Barnes said.
“You’re probably going to do that elsewhere. They’ve got Patrick Cripps in the middle, they don’t really need more big bodies. They need speed in the middle.
“If he can find somewhere he’d rather play then he’s welcome to explore that. He’s contracted for next year.”
Barnes added that the word out of Kennedy’s camp on Tuesday is that he is “more likely” to be at Carlton next year but added it is genuinely “really in the air” whether he will decide to test the market.
“They haven’t even looked at the market yet because I think they were surprised,” Barnes said.
“He’s much-loved inside of Carlton. His partner is a big part of the social scene there. He was wrapped up this week when he played his 100th game. They were all about him. They love him, the players do. At the moment he needs to open things up.”
While no teams have been reported to have expressed interest in Kennedy, Barnes mentioned North Melbourne, Geelong and Collingwood as theoretical suitors based on team fit along with Adelaide and West Coast as interstate options.
GIANTS TALL REQUESTS A TRADE
In other news, Giants tall Wade Derksen has informed the club he wants to be traded to a Victorian club for family reasons.
That is according to AFL.com.au’s Callum Twomey, who reported the news on Tuesday afternoon.
Derksen, who is yet to play a senior game at GWS, is contracted until the end of next season and is reportedly garnering interest from Melbourne.
Barnes had previously reported on Midweek Tackle that Derksen, who the Giants took in the 2022 Mid-Season Draft, was on the radar of a number of clubs.
“Wade Derksen’s probably not on the lips of many footy fans, but he is on the lips of recruiters and he’s going to be in the trade market,” Barnes said.
“He has multiple suitors in Victoria, WA clubs are after him as well. He’s playing at GWS in the VFL this year, he’s played defence all year – he also thinks he’s a forward, kicked six goals (in three games) late in the year for GWS.
“Melbourne Demons are one club that are after him, he’s about to have twins this week so he’s after a bit more family support – he has that both in WA and Victoria, but Victoria’s probably his preference (as) he has a bit more family support there.”
