Luckless Saint Hunter Clark has been linked with a move out of Moorabbin this off-season, despite having another year to run on his contract with St Kilda.
Clark managed just eight games in 2022 as he dealt with a series of injuries, while he was restricted to just 13 appearances in 2021. A shoulder injury delayed his 2022 start until Round 14, while a broken nose suffered in Round 16 forced him out of the side once again.
The 23-year-old was taken by the Saints in the 2017 national draft with pick 7, going on to make his debut in 2018. His injury-interrupted young career has seen him manage just 68 games in red, white and black, but has earned plenty of praise for his hard work and bravery.
While Clark is contracted to the Saints until the end of the 2023 season, he is expected to garner interest from around the league come the trade period, per reports from AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
“(Clark is) expected to be a trade target for clubs this off-season,” Twomey said on SEN Breakfast.
“He has a year to run on his deal at St Kilda but has had a horrible run of injuries as we know over the past couple of years.
“Clubs see him as a name to watch in this year’s trade period, he’s still only 23, a top 10 pick in 2017.
“I’m a massive fan of his, I think that’s one to keep an eye on for sure.”
Elsewhere at the Saints, Ben Long has been linked to North Melbourne over the past week, but is now reportedly receiving interest from Gold Coast.
Long, who is uncontracted, has played 79 games across his career with the Saints, including 19 this season under Brett Ratten.
The hard nosed 25-year-old has met with North, per Twomey, but now has another club circling as he continues to weigh up his future.
“Gold Coast are among the clubs interested in Ben Long,” Twomey said on SEN Breakfast.
“There’s a couple of potential suitors there, North Melbourne is one club who’s been in the mix but Gold Coast as well.
“He’s uncontracted and he’s been up for grabs at different times during his last contract.
“But as he’s out of contract now he’s weighing up his future.”