‘Frightening’ Pies prospect; big curiosity around Hawk talks: Early verdict on six major contract calls

While a few big names uncontracted beyond this year remain up for grabs, there’s an array of stars who come off-contract in 2027 that rival clubs will already be circling and plotting trade plays for.

In the latest episode of the Midweek Tackle digital-only show ‘Tackle The Headline’, CODE Sports reporters Lauren Wood, Scott Gullan and Glenn McFarlane break down six of the biggest 2027 contract calls … and have the early verdict on whether these stars will stay or go.

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JORDAN DE GOEY (Collingwood)

Glenn McFarlane says: “He is timing his run perfectly. He’s got another year to run on a contract, he’s 31 next March … We know that St Kilda were interested at one stage, didn’t quite get to anywhere with that. But there’s no point bringing in Lachie Neale, if you’re Collingwood, if you’re going to lose Jordan De Goey. So I’m pretty certain Jordan DeGoey will stay.”

Scott Gullan says: “I had a discussion about their list – which I get in trouble talking about, ‘examining the list, looking for clicks’ – he’s almost the only asset they’ve got to sell. If they wanted to get another first-round pick … someone (a team) who’s in the window, you’d want probably Pick 10, 12 – something like that for Jordan De Goey, I’d do that in a heartbeat. (But) I don’t think he’d leave, they’ve stood by him during some tough times, too.”

Lauren Wood says: “It’s been an interesting one over the last couple of weeks, too. As the Lachie Neale talk has ramped up externally, he’s really lifted his performance. It makes you wonder, is he that sort of player that thrives on the pressure of maybe being ‘the guy’. He could be one who thrives in a contract year.”

CHAD WARNER (Sydney Swans)

Lauren Wood says: “We heard the typical real estate stories that he’d bought the place in Perth, he’d been over there playing golf with all the powers that be at Freo and West Coast. But it’s maybe feeling a bit more Harbour City for him.”

Scott Gullan says: “I think he was very, very close back then. Now Freo have sort of moved on and are going beautifully – and the love for Sydney, the new game style – I can’t see him moving. It’s not going to be a money thing – Sydney have got enough money to pay him – so I think this is calmer than it was a couple of years ago. He sort of admitted: ‘I really thought about it, I was very close’ – because he thought this era might have been coming to an end. No, I can’t see the Chad going now.”

WILL DAY (Hawthorn)

Lauren Wood says: “It’s been so exciting just to see him back on the park, but now to see him playing the way that he is … Hawthorn, you talk about (the Magpies) standing by Jordan De Goey, they (the Hawks) have rehabbed him through this plethora of really lengthy injuries, but he’s playing himself beautifully ahead of a contract year.”

Glenn McFarlane says: “Will Day bleeds brown and gold. He absolutely loves the Hawthorn Football Club. I’ve spoken to him a number of times about what he feels about the players and he gets quite emotional when he talks about it. So I can’t see him leaving. The only thing I can say is that they’ll try and get something done over summer. They won’t want him to run into a contract year next year. But the length of the term is the interesting thing, because he’s had those injury issues and we’ve just got to see. I think Hawthorn will be a little conservative about how long it is. But mind you, if he gets through and wins them a Grand Final, you might be offering five or six years.”

TOM GREEN (GWS Giants)

Lauren Wood says: “He’s been in the sights of Tasmania, as we’ve reported in the Herald Sun over recent months. He’s obviously on the rehab trial with that ACL.”

Scott Gullan says: “Well during rehab, it’s plenty of time to talk to Tasmania, take some calls. He’s an interesting one … we were intrigued to see how him and Clayton Oliver worked and we didn’t get to see it, unfortunately. He says all the right things about potentially being the next captain up there. He loves the club, I think he enjoys: ‘I’m part of an expansion team, we’re going to be the next level of success.’ But he’s the type of player, if they (the Devils) want to get three or four ‘super dupers’ and throw $2 million around, you could do worse than him.”

LOGAN MORRIS (Brisbane Lions)

Glenn McFarlane says: “Everyone wants him, that’s the thing, Tassie is super keen … he comes out of contract at the right time. He’s in no hurry to look around and do a new deal, he’s pretty keen to wait and see how it goes. Unbelievably, he’s played four years of footy, what he’s been able to achieve. Tassie have got that big sign-on bonus, so that’s something that we’ll be keeping a close eye on.”

Scott Gullan says: “Could he be a … ‘well, I’ve won my flags early, maybe I go now and look after life’? I don’t know if he’s that sort of kid …”

Glenn McFarlane says: “He’s a pretty loyal kid, but when they’re offering telephone book money, it’s pretty hard to say no to that. It’s going to be a very much a watch-this-space. Imagine if they win three (flags) … then you’re thinking of: ‘Now I’ve got to look after myself.’ He’s been paid unders all the way through, now it’s time to get that payday. The Lions want to keep him, clearly.”

MATT ROWELL (Gold Coast Suns)

Lauren Wood says: “One who doesn’t have the flags in his back pocket, we know he’s desperate for success … It feels like a lot of his decision is going to hinge on: Is it the next six months? Is it the next 10 months? Is it around the players that go? There’s so much focus on the Gold Coast Suns at the moment – and probably rightly so – but he’s won a Brownlow already, but he wants that cup to go with it.”

Scott Gullan says: “He featured in the Sunday Tackle, because we were projecting ahead, as we are here, in that if the Suns’ slump keeps going – just pretend that they run 13th – and two or three of (Ben) King, (Jed) Walter, (Bailey) Humphrey leave … the group that Matt Rowell signed on two years ago – he met everyone, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon he seriously ummed an ahhed about coming back then – but he said: ‘I want a premiership, this unit’s going to go anywhere.’ That unit’s going to be less potentially in 12 months’ time if these other guys go. Then he’s going to make a decision: ‘Hang on, are we close?’ Clearly … he likes coming home, Collingwood would throw half the MCG at him to be in the middle with Lachie …

Glenn McFarlane says: “So would Carlton, if they could. He grew up as a Carlton supporter.”

Scott Gullan says: “If I’m the Suns, I know they’ve got other worries, but there’s another one coming next year. Noah Anderson’s out as well, but he’s the captain and I can’t see him leaving. But because Matt Rowell took so long to be sold before, I don’t know about this one. Watch this space.”

Lauren Wood says: “Collingwood: Lachie Neale, Nick Daicos, Matt Rowell? Frightening.”

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