Another key Swan has turned his back on rival interest.
Plus Rory Lobb has addressed speculation around his future, and how the WA clubs can get deals done for Liam Baker.
Catch up on all the latest player movement news in AFL Trade Whispers!
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MCDONALD RE-SIGNS WITH SWANS UNTIL 2028
Another big name out of contract is off the board, with Logan McDonald the latest Swan to re-sign in a big coup for the ladder leaders.
The 22-year old West Australian rebuffed interest from the likes of Fremantle, Collingwood and Hawthorn to extend his time with the Swans for at least four more seasons until 2028, taking the key forward through to free agency.
McDonald is also the last of the big-name key forwards off the market — a list that once includes the likes of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Ben King.
It continues a key retention period for John Longmire’s side, having locked away the likes of James Rowbottom, Oliver Florent, Errol Gulden and Will Hayward this season despite heavy interest from rival clubs.
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“I’m absolutely rapt to stay here in the red and white, this place is like my second home. I’ve been here for four years now and stoked to be here for another four,” McDonald said.
“My teammates are my best mates and the people I live with and see every day, they’re my second family. The exciting position the list is in at the moment — I just want to compete win games — and hopefully win some premierships.
“There’s no substitute for happiness. I’m so happy here with the people around me at this footy club, and I don’t think any amount of money could make me leave that so I’m so grateful for the opportunity to stay here.”
The former Pick 4 has booted 78 goals from 59 games including 22 majors this season — the fifth-most of any Swan.
“Logan is an extremely popular member of the playing group, and we are pleased he’s decided to stay with the Swans,” Swans footy boss Leon Cameron said.
“We have to remember he’s only 22-years old and he has a lot of development to go, but we feel he has all the attributes to be one of the league’s best key forwards.
“As we plan for the future, we see Logan as an extremely important member of the group, and we’re excited to see him hone his craft in the next few seasons.”
LOBB ADDRESSES SPECULATION ON FUTURE
Western Bulldogs tall Rory Lobb says his main priority is to be playing senior footy and that he understood speculation around his future when he was playing VFL.
Contracted at the Dogs until the end of 2026, reports earlier this year stated Lobb was set to request a trade to a fourth club at season’s end after falling outside of Luke Beveridge’s best 23.
The 31-year old has since returned to the senior side and even held his spot when Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy came back in, while Lobb was swung into defence against North Melbourne last week.
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Lobb, who at the end of 2022 signed a four-year deal at the Dogs, emphasised his focus on staying in the AFL team doing whatever the team requires.
“There’s obviously going to be a lot of speculation when players aren’t playing. I see myself as an AFL player and I know that I have a lot of good footy left in me. I just want to be playing at AFL level,” Lobb told AFL Media.
“I honestly don’t mind where it is, whether it’s back, forward or midfield. I’m happy to just do whatever the team needs. But I’ve wanted to leave that (contract) stuff for the end of the year and into the future.”
Lobb denied that he ever raised the topic of his future and said he was focused on taking things “week to week” and consolidating his spot in defence.
HOW WA CLUBS CAN LAND BAKER
Armed with three first-round picks, Fremantle is in the best position to trade for Liam Baker … so what about West Coast?
Baker is currently weighing up his future and the potential of returning to Western Australia at season’s end. The Eagles are seen as the favourites to land the 26-year old utility after reportedly meeting with him in Perth recently.
As Baker’s not eligible for free agency, he’d need to be acquired via trade.
Speaking on SEN radio, AFL Media’s Cal Twomey noted that the Dockers’ three-first-round picks puts them “well and truly in the fight” for Baker and makes it “a lot easier” for them to get a deal done to West Coast.
Twomey said it’s a “harder situation” for the Eagles given they only hold draft picks 2 and 3, suggesting a potential Tom Barrass move could unlock a trade.
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“You wouldn’t want to be splitting Pick 3 to get Liam Baker in as a sort of 26-27-year-old, given he’s one year away from free agency,” Twomey explained.
“Does the Tom Barrass situation actually open the door (for West Coast)? Potentially.
“If Bailey Smith leaves for a first-round pick at the Bulldogs and then the Bulldogs have a first-round pick to offer up to West Coast for Tom Barrass … does that pick then turn into something they could use for Liam Baker?
“You have to think of all the scenarios. But in terms of who’s armed with what, Fremantle selections are a lot more in the right spot, I’d say, for what Baker’s worth.”