AFL trade news: No deals for young Eagle, fringe Hawks

Despite their 2021 seasons being over, West Coast and Hawthorn are holding off on key list calls.

EDITOR | August 29, 2021 - 12:12pm

West Coast midfielder Jarrod Brander is facing a nervous wait on his future, with the speedy Eagle yet to be tabled a new deal for the 2022 season.

As reported by The West Australian, Brander and the Eagles are yet to agree to a contract extension, placing some doubt over the 22-year-old's future in Perth.

A target of the 2020 off-season for rival clubs, the Bendigo Pioneers product could find himself back in Victoria should a deal fail to transpire.

The Eagles have moved to secure the services of several key players this season, with Oscar Allen, Brad Sheppard, Dom Sheed, Liam Ryan and Jackson Nelson among those to have recently signed new deals.

Gun defender Liam Duggan is also tipped to be on the verge of locking away his future to the blue and gold, according to The West Australian's report.

However, West Coast remain to have an extensive list of players joining Brander in being unsigned for next season.

Veteran duo Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn are currently yet to recommit, while Jack Redden, Nathan Vardy, Brendon Ah Chee, Luke Foley and Josh Rotham are among those out-of-contract.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles kicks on goal during the 2018 AFL round 18 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on July 22, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

West Coast premiership coach Mick Malthouse urged the Eagles to re-sign Kennedy and Hurn this week when speaking on ABC Sports Talk.

“Age is not the barrier. If the player is playing good football, you re-contract that player,” Malthouse said.

“When I look at West Coast, Josh Kennedy is an outstanding player. When he plays, he’s dangerous, he’s accurate, he’s competitive.

“If he is willing to play, you do not move him on.

“They can’t afford to lose players of the calibre of Kennedy and Hurn. They are still highly valuable players.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Shannon Hurn of the Eagles leads the team huddle during the 2019 AFL round 11 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on June 02, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

“If they were mid 20s playing like they do now, this wouldn’t be an issue.

“The last thing you want to see is their legacy tarnished by playing seconds footy."

Meanwhile, Hawthorn are understood to be holding off on list calls for several fringe players at Waverley.

According to The Herald Sun, forward-turned-defender Tim O'Brien is among those who will be waiting on new deals, with their future at the Hawks an uncertainty.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: Tim O'Brien of the Hawks celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 23 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Hawthorn Hawks at Optus Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The report suggests Hawthorn will wait until after the VFL season has concluded before making calls for those players on the outskirts of the senior side.

Despite playing 19 games at AFL level this season, O'Brien will be forced into a nervous wait before knowing his future.