10 players who could move, Midweek Tackle’s Tackle the Headline show, video

With the bye rounds firmly in the rearview mirror and the end of the season now in view, attention is turning to players with uncertain futures as list calls start to become a priority for clubs.

In the latest episode of Midweek Tackle’s digital-only show ‘Tackle the Headline’, the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph and Josh Barnes give early verdicts on 10 in-flux players on the outer at their current clubs who could be looking elsewhere this offseason. con

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Peter Ladhams and Hayden McLean (Sydney Swans)

Ralph doesn’t believe both will still be at the Swans next year.

“Guys who have been on the outer. Ladhams came in after outstanding VFL form and was quiet against Brisbane,” he began.

“Now that Joel Amartey is out, you’d think that it’s almost going to be a race between Ladhams and McLean - who can take that second ruck/third forward role?

“I don’t think that both of them will be at this football club next year … I think it’s going to be fascinating to see which of those blokes grasps the (chance), and which one gets moved on.”

Barnes believes that while McLean has the inside running, that shouldn’t stop him from also exploring his options at year’s end.

“The issue for (Ladhams) is that he’s a ruckman who can play a little bit of forward, whereas McLean’s a forward who can play a little bit of ruck,” he said.

“So, I think McLean wins the audition, because that’s the role they need to fill … (but) I think maybe both of them have to really look at the market.

“It depends on how Amartey recovers from that Achilles … but if Amartey is staying, as we probably expect, then McLean really should be going elsewhere.

“He hasn’t put up huge numbers, but if he can get a second ruck role at, say, West Coast, then maybe that’s the best move for him.”

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Alex Davies and Jake Rogers (Gold Coast Suns)

Ralph said Davies could be a “moneyball recruit” for a Victorian powerhouse that’s thrown its hat in the ring for elite midfielders.

“(An) interesting one there with Alex Davies is that yes, there is interest in him - I look at a club like Collingwood, and I think ‘he’s the moneyball recruit’,” he said.

“He’s the bloke you bring in - ballistic, bull out of gates, a bit rough around the edges - (and) you might get him for Pick 50, and (Gold Coast) might get the $400,000 off your cap.

“I’m not saying he’s going to go to Collingwood, but I think there’d be a lot of pro scouts thinking, ‘yeah, he’s got an A-grade edge, (and) he’s got some things he has to work on’.

“I like Alex Davies as a player.”

Barnes believes Davies is Victoria-bound.

“He was going to look at the Vic market, I think, early in the season, hoping he would play, and he hasn’t really played since then,” he said.

“(The Suns are) 15-6 in the last three seasons when Davies plays … he will be looking elsewhere, I think.

“I think he’ll be coming back to Victoria.”

Barnes also provided his intel on Rogers, who hasn’t been able to stamp his authority since arriving in Carrara.

“Another one to watch at Gold Coast is Jake Rogers, who’s injured at the moment. First-round draft pick, I think he’ll also be looking at the Victorian market at the end of this year,” he said.

“He can’t really get a look-in, too, so there are two of them who are stuck outside this midfield that isn’t going so well, but they can’t get enough game time.”

Elijah Tsatas (Essendon)

Ralph explained why Tsatas could be resigned to a similar fate to a recently delisted Bomber.

“Is Elijah Tsatas the next Ben Hobbs?” he offered.

“A very high draft pick who everyone says will get another crack somewhere, and then finds himself playing VFL.

“It can’t just be about his disposal; it has to be about his defensive running. Every time the new coach comes in, he gives him an opportunity, and then he finds his way out of his side.

“I think it’s going to be hard to find takers for him.”

Barnes replied: “‘Where does he fit?’ is the question. How many teams can afford an accumulator who doesn’t do much else? That’s the issue for Elijah.”

Ralph said: “He’s a stoppage player; he’s a clearance player. He’s not an outside-receiver accumulator.”

Barnes suggested that the midfielder’s lack of standout strengths made it hard to forecast a 2027 landing spot.

“And those players who don’t run or break (lines) or win the ball on the outside and deliver - he doesn’t really do any of that,” he said.

“So, you have to be supreme, A-grade on the inside to be able to get away with not doing much of the other stuff, and it’s not really working at the moment for a team that you would think, on paper, probably needs that fit.

“So, I don’t know where the fit is.”

Ralph added: “Someone will give him a rookie list spot, or give him a summer. But again, he’s had enough time in the system now for his deficiencies not to have been erased.”

Jordon Butts and James Borlase (Adelaide Crows)

Ralph shared his intel that a trio of Victorian clubs were considering players such as the Crows’ pair.

“Essendon, North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs are all into players like James Borlase, who’s playing really good football. And of course Jordon Butts,” he said.

“I think the jungle drums are beating stronger that Butts will probably find himself at the Western Bulldogs.

“He’s had an offer in front of him for a long time there at Adelaide - and they’ve got Worrell there, and Keane’s back playing great football, and even Murray’s ahead of the likes of Butts or Borlase playing, as well.

“Borlase, I think the Bulldogs are really keen on that. And as a result, the flow-on effect there, if he got to a club like the Dogs, would be Jedd Busslinger.”

Jedd Busslinger (Western Bulldogs)

The 22-year-old has managed just 11 senior games in almost four seasons at Whitten Oval, with Ralph noting he hasn’t been able to nail down a spot under Luke Beveridge.

(He’s) in, then out - Buku Khamis has taken his spot; he’s playing reasonable football, and O’Donnell’s back into that side … I think Jedd would look around, even though the Dogs would be keen to keep him,” he said.

Barnes agreed that the developing Dog should assess his options, given the type of defender he is.

“I would think so (he looks around). I think he falls into a bit of a difficult spot in that he is probably more of an interceptor at this stage, and the Dogs probably are a backline full of interceptors.

“They need a lockdown big man, and he is not really that player.

“So, if he can find somewhere that needs them (interceptors) … we know he’s from Western Australia, does he look back at West Coast again?

“Who knows, it hasn’t really been his interest in the past - that’s been raised.”

Jhye Clark and Mitch Knevitt (Geelong)

Barnes gave a clear-cut verdict on one of the out-of-favour Cats, while noting the other would be “frustrated” with his situation but is “more adaptable” as a player.

“I think Jhye Clark definitely has to look at it (the possibility of leaving); Mitch Knevitt I don’t think will be there next year,” he said.

“I think this was sort of a one-year, prove-it contract (for Knevitt). He played in Opening Round and hasn’t been seen since. He’s been putting up great numbers in the VFL - I think that’s a moving-on, looking-for-something-else situation.

“Jhye Clark only came into the team very, very late last year and played in a grand final. So, the door is - you think - open there.

“He can play half-back and a little bit of wing, and inside mid. He’s a bit more adaptable than others, but at the moment he’s putting up 30 disposals a game in the twos and not really getting a look-in. I’m sure he’s frustrated and looking around.

“His disposal is a knock on him - he’s a good runner, but whether he’s similar to Tsatas in that he puts up good numbers and doesn’t kick it well enough - I guess you just hope that someone has a rookie spot available.”

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