Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel is generating renewed interest from St Kilda even though the 31-year-old still has a year left on his contract at the Bombers.
A move to St Kilda would mark Shiel's third AFL club. He debuted with GWS in 2012, playing 135 games before being traded to Essendon in 2018 due to salary cap pressure.
The All-Australian has played 76 games for the Bombers since arriving at Tullamarine in 2019 and is approaching his 100th game with the club.
According to 7 News' Mitch Cleary, St Kilda has renewed interest in the veteran midfielder despite his history of injuries.
โThe Saints are having a look again at Dylan Shiel,โ Cleary said on Channel 7's Talking Footy.
Shiel over the years has dealt with his fair share of injuries and during the 2024 season has been forced into the VFL before returning to the AFL this year.
The midfielder had been nursing a foot injury since 2023, which required surgery in the off-season. This resulted in Shiel having a slow return to senior footy, and forced him to play nine rounds of VFL before returning in Round 10.
The 31-year-old has only played three games this year in the senior side, with Shiel being dropped after Round 10 after being the sub and having a quiet performance.
Coach Brad Scott recalled the midfielder for the clash against Collingwood in Round 17 after some strong performances in the VFL. Shiel had an exceptional game against the regaining premiers, racking up 26 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances.
Shiel managed to hold his place in the side to play again in Round 18, last week against Melbourne and was exceptional with 28 touches, six tackles and five clearances.
The midfielder in the past two games against Collingwood and Melbourne has had solid performances and playing the way the star is capable of, looking likely to become a pivotal player in Scott's midfield in a likelt finals run.
As reported by Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark, the Saints' recent re-signing of Brad Hill for another three years at St Kilda could be due to โtrying to line up their ducksโ in order to get a player like Shiel in the next Trade Period.
โI just wonder whether St Kilda are trying to restructure their list payments, to front end the paymentsโฆ allowing them to load up at the trade period to try and get a big, bodied midfielder,โ Clark told Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle.
โI think Stephen Silvagni is trying to line up his ducks, so they've got some salary cap space in coming years.โ
