AFL.com.au journalist Mitch Cleary has provided updates on the futures of GWS duo Stephen Coniglio and Jon Patton, as well as Fremantle's Brad Hill and Stephen Hill.
Coniglio's impending free agency decision has been widely speculated, with links being drawn to several Victorian clubs and his home state Western Australia.
However, Cleary believes he will be staying put.
โMy feel is heโs staying at the Giants on a long term contract, but every week transpires, you have to continue to ask the question because weโre into Round 16 and we donโt have a contract for him at the Giants,โ Cleary toldย AFL Nation.
โHe was in Melbourne a few weeks ago, Iโd be shocked if he didnโt meet with the Hawks and the Blues. Theyโd have to feel like theyโre some kind of chance.โ
Cleary said he "would be surprised" if Patton isn't a Hawk in 2020 unless the club looks to undergo a full scale rebuild.
"Jon Patton is in their (Hawthorn's) sights, Iโd be surprised if he wasnโt at the Hawks next year, or they go young," Cleary told AFL Nation.
โItโs the salary cap thatโs the issue with Patton. I think heโs on $600,000-$700,000 per year and the Giants tried to offload that money last year like they did with Tom Scully, but couldnโt find any takers, but now thatโs another year on with his contract, thereโs going to be more suitors.โ
โHeโs due back in the next month (from his ACL tear), but I donโt think heโs going to crack into that side.โ
Cleary expects the Hill brothers to both find new homes at the end of the season, with Geelong reportedly showing interest in Brad.
โThe Cats have definitely asked the question about Brad Hill.โ
โHe has told the Dockers that he wants to back to Victoria either this year or next year. Heโs got a contract until 2021, his brotherย Stephen Hillย looks unlikely to be there next year. Heโs out of contract, Stephen.โ
โI think Brad wants to move back to Melbourne to be with his partner who is very homesick in Perth.โ
