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Brodie Grundy’s list of suitors has reportedly narrowed.
Plus a rival has upped the ante in its bid to snare Junior Rioli out of West Coast.
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PORT OUT OF GRUNDY RACE
Port Adelaide is out of the running for Brodie Grundy, with the star Magpie telling the club he isn’t interested in making the move to South Australia, reports the Herald Sun.
Multiple reports stated the Power were set to launch a significant bid for the big man, who’s contracted at the Pies until 2027 on a lucrative deal worth $7 million — although Collingwood is reportedly willing to contribute up to $300,000 of his annual salary at a rival club.
But the Herald Sun reports Grundy spoke to Port via Zoom over a month ago — and hadn’t met with coach Ken Hinkley — and it was quickly ascertained he wanted to stay in Victoria and had no interest in returning to SA.
It comes despite Grundy considering a move back to his home state at the end of 2019 before he signed his mega seven-year extension with the Pies.
It leaves Melbourne as the frontrunner for the dual All-Australian’s services slightly ahead of Geelong, and while the 28-year old could yet stay at Collingwood, he’s heavily pursuing his options.
The report also states he’s determined to re-establish himself as one of the top ruckmen in the competition next season after struggling to get back to his previous best form of years’ past including having his 2022 ruined by injury.
Hawthorn and GWS have also been linked to the big man.
PORT UP THE ANTE FOR RIOLI
Port Adelaide has upped the ante in its bid for West Coast’s Junior Rioli, according to Western Australian journalist Ryan Daniels.
Daniels revealed on Twitter the Power have tabled an “aggressive offer” for the out-of-contract forward, who’s not eligible for free agency but weighing up his options.
It’s believed the Eagles’ offer is “significant” and matches Port’s, but has more stipulations included. Should the 27-year old wish to make the move, West Coast would reportedly seek a handsome return in a trade.
Daniels also reported many figures at the Eagles have been left disappointed by the Power’s bid and the 27-year old entertaining the approach given West Coast stuck by him during his two-year suspension for tampering with a urine sample.
West Coast has reportedly stayed confident for a lengthy period Rioli will re-sign, and remain so. He’s played 51 games for the club including in its 2018 Grand Final triumph over Collingwood.
HENRY, PIES STILL APART ON NEW DEAL
Collingwood youngster Ollie Henry is weighing up his future as contract negotiations with the club drag on.
SEN’s Sam Edmund reports the 20-year old’s management was left wanting by the Pies’ recent contract offer and thought it didn’t align with the promise he’s shown in games this season.
The Age reported Geelong, where Henry’s older brother Jack plays, is monitoring the youngster’s contract status over the possibility he could seek a move back to his hometown, but hasn’t been actively chasing him.
Henry, who was Pick 17 in the 2020 AFL draft, has kicked 21 goals from 15 games this season and showed great poise late in games before getting sent back to the VFL after the Pies’ Round 17 win over North Melbourne.
“He’s fallen out of favour hasn’t he this year, he’s down the pecking order a bit,” Edmund said on SEN’s Whateley.
“Collingwood have got players in their best 22 – the (Jack) Ginnivans of the world, the (Beau) McCreerys of the world, who are perhaps on less, so I don’t think Collingwood are going to budge on the offer, so perhaps the decision is Ollie Henry’s to make. Do I stay at Collingwood on less than what I could get elsewhere?
“Ollie Henry is definitely a watch for Collingwood supporters.”
DOCKERS INTO CORBETT
Fremantle is interested in Josh Corbett amid a strong VFL season from the out-of-contract Suns forward, reports The West Australian.
Corbett has booted 24 goals from 10 VFL matches this season since getting dropped from the senior side after its Round 6 loss to Brisbane.
The 26-year old’s dominant form in the twos includes a best-on-ground showing in Gold Coast’s VFL elimination final win over Box Hill — booting 4.4 with 17 marks and 25 touches — in front of several rival clubs including the Dockers watching on.
SEN’s Sam Edmund also confirmed the 190cm goalkicking forward was “attractive some real interest”.
“The Suns are saying we’ve got a few familiar types, you’re welcome to look around at your options, you might get squeezed out with their list getting peeled back a bit,” Edmund said on SEN’s Whateley.
“We’ll see what happens with Josh Corbett, who might be a bargain pick-up for a club.”
The former Werribee Tiger first joined the Suns in 2018 and has played 36 AFL games including booting a career-best 23 goals from 16 appearances in 2021 — the second-most at the Suns last year.
It comes as Fremantle key forward Rory Lobb is expected to request a trade at season’s end, likely to the Western Bulldogs.
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