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Two premiership stars take cuts as Eagles face cap squeeze

Some West Coast stars will face more slender contracts in 2022 as club battles salary cap pressure.

Published by
Jake Benoiton

The Eagles are set to re-sign veterans Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn as well as Jack Redden on a trio of one-year deals.

However, due to salary cap pressure, those deals will all be on reduced rates to what the three have usually come to expect.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Josh J. Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round 8 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on July 26, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Fox Footy's Tom Morris is reporting that the Eagles are facing a salary cap squeeze as they look to re-sign a number of off-contract stars.

According to the report, the Eagles won't need to lose any stars to fit everyone in.

Sydney this year look set to lose Jordan Dawson, George Hewett and Dylan Stephens due to cap pressure.

While last year Collingwood had to let go of Adam Treloar, Tom Phillips and Jaidyn Stephenson as they conducted a fire sale of sorts to help control their salary cap.

However, even with stars like Tim Kelly, Nic Naitanui, Andrew Gaff and Jeremy McGovern on big money deals, West Coast are confident they will be able to hold on to everyone they desire.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Jeremy McGovern of the Eagles marks the ball during the round one AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium on March 25, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Liam Duggan is expected to put pen-to-paper in coming weeks with the left-footer and the club discussing details on a new deal.

The cap squeeze one player out though, with Nathan Vardy opting to retire after his contract offer was significantly less than expected. He decided the contract on offer wasn't worth putting off starting the next chapter of his life.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Nathan Vardy of the Eagles celebrates after scoring a goal during the round six AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at GMHBA Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Jarrod BranderJosh RothamLuke FoleyJamaine Jones and Xavier O'Neill are all out of contract and yet to be offered new deals at this stage.

 

Published by
Jake Benoiton