There was a lot of speculation about Tom Doedee’s choice before he finally chose the Brisbane Lions over Collingwood and an offer from the Crows. According to the AFL, teams are given no indication of compensation until a contract offer is submitted, but based on the league’s methodology, the Crows might earn a selection around the No.30 mark or perhaps higher, depending on how generous the Lions’ offer is. Elliott Himmelberg wants to play for the Giants next season, but Mabior Chol chose Hawthorn over the Crows, reducing his prospects of a trade (since the Crows are more anxious to keep him). Still, Chris Burgess, another Suns key forward, has demanded a transfer to the Crows, so
The aforementioned Chris Burgess wants to play for them in 2024, and the Crows will make it happen, despite Burgess’s struggles with the Suns. They did, however, put their hat in the ring for a number of players, including Mason Redman early this season and Mabior Chol more recently. They were one among the clubs who expressed real interest in Clayton Oliver before the star Dee agreed to terms with his present side; he would’ve been the ideal addition given their need for another top-tier midfielder. The re-signing of Matt Crouch and Rory Sloane gives them more time to land a big fish. They might entice marginal players like South Australian Josh Carmichael or Finlay Macrae with the right deal.
Deven Robertson had a big decision to make after starring in the 2022 finals push and appearing in the Grand Final but failing to truly cement his spot in the side, whether to stay at Brisbane and seek a flag or move home to West Coast, where a more lucrative four-year deal was on the table. After much deliberation, Robertson decided to forego contract duration in return for commitment to a team in the Premier League. Dayne Zorko is anticipated to return in 2024, although he is still in talks with the club concerning his future. Re-signings are the Lions’ other top priority. “Both Kiddy Coleman and Hugh McCluggage’s contracts expire next year;
“This year, McCluggage is a pre-agent,” reporter Jon Ralph stated during Fox Footy’s Grand Final broadcast. “Brisbane pushing very hard for those early extensions and we believe that that will happen in a couple of months.” Tom Fullarton wants to be moved to Melbourne, while Rhys Mathieson has been encouraged to look for another AFL home as he struggles to establish a berth in the senior team.
Following last year’s massive trade period, the Lions had one obvious priority: maintaining the much-improved defence that brought them within a kick of a title. The Lions lost the Grand Final to the Pies, but they won the contest for Adelaide’s Tom Doedee, who had chosen the Lions as his preferred destination as a restricted free agent. Despite two ACL injuries, Doedee is in line for a five-year, $3 million contract. “It’s a lot to bring in a player off a knee reconstruction,” Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph remarked, “but his talent is obvious.” The Lions and Bulldogs were both interested in out-of-contract St Kilda defender Nick Coffield, but he chose the Dogs. They were one of a number of clubs.
