Shock name ‘on the whiteboard’ at rival club; Pies flag cheeky Butters pitch — Trade Whispers

You can add another name to “the whiteboard” of the Tasmania Devils, while Collingwood has cheekily flagged a potential in-game pitch to a star Power free agent.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade 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.

HAWKS STAR ‘ON THE WHITEBOARD’ AT TASSIE

Tasmania has flagged its interest in Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan, according to 7News Melbourne journalist Xander McGuire.

The Devils, who will enter the AFL in 2028, are already active in the player market following the formalisation of list rules for the competition’s 19th club last month.

Speaking on The Agenda Setters on Wednesday night, McGuire said Ginnivan — the premiership Magpie who’s enjoying career-best form in his third season at Hawthorn — was firmly on Tasmania’s radar.

“I can tell you tonight Jack Ginnivan is on the whiteboard of the Tassie Devils. He’s a player they’re interested in,” McGuire told Channel 7.

“There’s the Finn O’Sullivan’s and Sam Lalor’s they’re really pushing hard for. Ginnivan hasn’t got to that stage yet, but they have expressed interest in him. He’s on their whiteboard – and I think it make sense.

“2027 he’s out of contract and Derek Hine the (Devils) head of recruiting recruited him to Collingwood.”

Under the Devils’ list concessions, the club has access to a $5 million signing bonus pool outside the salary cap. Tasmania will also be able to sign up to 18 uncontracted players — one from each rival club — across the 2027-28 period without requiring a trade.

As well as Ginnivan, Lalor and O’Sullivan, the Devils have also been heavily linked to 21-year-old Brisbane star goalkicker Logan Morris and North Melbourne defender Charlie Comben. The Devils are also eyeing Giants midfielder Tom Green and Essendon forward Nate Caddy as marquee additions.

DOCKERS GREAT’S WARNING ON NEALE RETURN

Fremantle great Paul Hasleby believes the Dockers should “definitely entertain” a move to bring Lachie Neale back to the club, but only after the season.

Neale, a dual Brownlow Medallist and dual premiership player with Brisbane, is a free agent and has been tipped to leave the Lions.

Collingwood has emerged as a likely destination, with reports suggesting the Magpies are prepared to offer a three-year deal worth up to $3 million.

CODE Sports journalist Jon Ralph on Monday night reported on Fox Footy’s On The Couch that Neale was initially keen on a return to Fremantle, but the Magpies’ offer had surpassed what the Dockers were currently willing to pay.

Speaking on Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight on Wednesday, All-Australian Hasleby said the Dockers should remain interested in Neale, but not at the expense of retaining key players already on its list.

“I wrote an article and said they should definitely entertain it, but they shouldn’t rush the decision. There’s no need to rush it,” Hasleby said on AFL Tonight of Fremantle’s interest in Neale.

“For Fremantle, if I was them, I would wait until the end of the year to make that sort of offer. I know that’s hard to do because players want their futures decided earlier than that. But for Fremantle … if they win the premiership, there’s probably no need to go down that path.

“The other thing I’d put on it is no more than two years and probably $750,000 per year. Is Lachie going to commit to that? Who knows with his family circumstances. Who knows what Collingwood and other clubs are offering. But I think Fremantle in the box seat, just to show some interest be patient and see what happens.

“If they do win the premiership, you’d ask yourself: ‘Is there any need?’ Because other clubs like Tasmania will start to target some of their fringe players, but also some of their players that are locked away on deals that probably deserve a bit of an upgrade in payment.”

SAINTS ‘COMFORTABLE’ WITH YOUNG GUN’S FUTURE DESPITE MASS RIVAL INTEREST

St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes says his club is “pretty comfortable” with Darcy Wilson’s contract situation, despite the young gun Saint being one of the most in-demand uncontracted players in the AFL.

Wilson is in career-best form halfway through his third season, kicking 12 goals and averaging 20.9 disposals from his 13 matches so far.

But Wilson, who was taken at Pick 18 in the 2023 draft, has yet to re-sign with St Kilda, with the 20-year-old’s three-year draft contract due to expire at season’s end.

Foxfooty.com.au reported last month “easily more than half the league” was interested in Wilson, with North Melbourne and Adelaide, in particular, heavily linked.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, CODE Sports reporter Jon Ralph said the Saints faced a delicate salary balancing act to retain Wilson, adding: “They (rival clubs) are circling like sharks. Everyone wants a piece of the uncontracted Darcy Wilson.”

Speaking on SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning, Hayes — who has a close relatonship with Wilson — said he was confident Wilson would re-commit to the Saints.

“We’re pretty comfortable with where things are at with Darcy,” Hayes told SEN Breakfast.

“He’s a really important young player for us and we’re hoping over the next little while that we might be able to get something done there.

“He’s having a great season and he’s part of that young core group that’s going to take the club forward. He’s really important to us.”

PIES FLAG CHEEKY IN-GAME BUTTERS PITCH

Players at the centre of trade speculation often cop a few barbs from opponents during games.

But when Port Adelaide star Zak Butters takes on Collingwood on Saturday night, he might receive some friendly encouragement to join the Magpies instead.

Butters, arguably the biggest name of the upcoming AFL exchange period, has yet to make an official call on his future. The Western Bulldogs are considered the front-runners, while Geelong remains in the mix and Richmond has reportedly tabled the most lucrative offer.

But it emerged over the weekend that Collingwood included Nick Daicos in its recent pitch to lure Butters, with the superstar midfielder reportedly part of the club’s meeting with the Power star.

Magpies utility Harry Perryman joked earlier this week that if he was assigned a run-with role on Butters, he would “definitely” mention signing with Collingwood.

Josh Daicos said he was “not aware” of reports involving his brother’s role in the recruitment pitch, but added: “We’re always looking for ways to get better as a group and I’m sure that will take care of itself in the off-season.”

The Magpies host Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night, with the game live on Fox Footy – available via Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Click here to read article