A Melbourne free agent has made a contract call. Plus two Giants veterans have been tipped to depart. More 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.
SPARROW SET TO SHUN FREE AGENCY, RE-SIGN WITH DEES
Hands off, rivals.
The Demons are reportedly close to locking away breakout star Tom Sparrow on a new deal.
AFL reporter Tom Morris revealed Melbourne and Sparrow are closing in on a five-year extension that would run through until 2031.
The South Australian had interest from rival clubs including Port Adelaide and Essendon, but he’s turned his back on free agency to recommit to the much-improved Dees.
It comes amid a breakout season from the 26-year old in an expanded midfield role under Steven King.
Sparrow has averaged career-highs across the board in disposals (22.9), tackles (6.4) and clearances (5.5) as the AFL’s most improved player from 2025 to 2026.
Chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark revealed earlier this month that Melbourne was “confident” Sparrow would stay at the club.
Mail from Melbourne is they’re confident he’s staying,” Clark said on Fox Footy.
“That’s despite a massive offer from Port Adelaide. I think you can put a line through Essendon.”
Sparrow has played 138 AFL games since 2019 including in Melbourne’s 2021 drought-breaking premiership.
HOGAN, STRINGER TIPPED TO DEPART GWS
Giants veteran forwards Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer have been tipped to leave the club as it begins to turn the page on a new era.
SEN’s Sam Edmund reports contract talks between Hogan, 31, and GWS have broken down just days after the club prioritised striking an extension with Max Gruzewski.
It comes in a season Hogan has been restricted to just nine AFL games due to injury, with a fractured finger ending his season early.
It’s believed Collingwood and Gold Coast have maintained interest in Hogan as well as “one or two other clubs in a meaningful sense,” as the Coleman medallist eyes a move to a fourth club after previous stints at Melbourne and Fremantle.
“This all centres on a two-year deal,” Edmund began on Locked In.
“Initially, it was going to be (a one-year deal) at GWS but the money was sort of too sizeable. So it was going to be spread over the two for the Coleman Medallist.
“Club and player were so close here, they were about $75,000 apart, then they got stuck on incentives and clauses and then it just broke down.
“Then suddenly Jesse Hogan’s injury issues are brought up as a consideration and then all the conjecture over Toby Greene fires up and maybe the Giants thought: ‘Well, maybe here’s a chance to reset’.
“It was clear the Giants had started to prioritise Max Gruzewski in the background.”
Edmund says it’s “long odds” for Hogan to stay a Giant, with Stringer, 32, also expected to depart.
“Hogan’s played for three AFL clubs. I think there’s a high chance now it’s going to be four,” Edmund added.
“The Giants won’t even really come back to the table now in a negotiation sense. I think this is high and dry. I’d say he and Stringer are now both on the outer.”
Skipper Toby Greene, who’s been linked to Geelong, Stephen Coniglio and Kieren Briggs are other key Giants out of contract.
Discover more from BrandedNepal | Shop Nepal’s Best Local & Global Brands
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
