Despite speculation over an Adelaide Crows star’s future, an alternate avenue can almost certainly be ruled out.
Meanwhile, a veteran Cat has hoped that an out-of-contract teammate ‘gets paid what he deserves’ beyond 2024, even if it isn’t at Geelong.
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RACE HEATS UP FOR SUNS FREE AGENT
Multiple interstate clubs have shown interest in Gold Coast restricted free agent Ben Ainsworth.
The Suns have a four-year offer on the table for the Victorian, but Essendon has been joined by Port Adelaide as a suitor for the mid-forward, according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
“He’s weighing interest. Essendon is keen … but I can also add today that Port Adelaide is among the clubs with interest in Ben Ainsworth,” he said.
“They are obviously in the free agent market and the small forward market as well. It’s been clear for a little bt now if Tyson Stengle leaves Geelong, it won’t be to go back to South Australia, so I think Ben Ainsworth is in that group.”
The Power do not have a first-round pick to use in trades, making free agents like Ainsworth more desirable, especially as the market shrinks with the recent re-signings of Will Hayward, Blake Hardwick and Hugh McCluggage.
As a restricted free agent any offer Ainsworth receives can be matched by the Suns.
He has kicked 12 goals in 13 games under Damien Hardwick’s tutelage, ranking 16th at his position in the AFL Player Ratings.
‘I s*** myself to be honest’ | 01:55
HAWKINS SPEAKS ON STENGLE’S SITUATION
Geelong great Tom Hawkins has given his take on the contract deliberations surrounding 2022 All-Australian and premiership player Tyson Stengle.
Speaking before the 2024 Hall of Fame on Fox Footy, Hawkins was asked by journalist Mark Robinson if he would be disappointed should Stengle move to a fourth AFL club.
“I haven’t spoken to him about his future; I always feel a little bit uncomfortable talking about other players and their contract status,” Hawkins opened by saying.
“What I will say, is that I’ve always loved playing with small forwards, I’ve got a really soft place in my heart for them – I’ve played with some great players and Tyson’s been one of those players over the past couple of years.
“With his situation, I think both Tyson and the football club have been great for each other – I ultimately hope as a friend of Tyson’s that he gets paid what he deserves and to be paid well, because the body of work that he’s put together over the last two and a half seasons has been nothing short of phenomenal from where he’s come from.
“I think he’s got a wonderful opportunity to cement and have a long-standing career with Geelong, but it doesn’t always end that way – I hope I see Tyson playing for Geelong for a long time.”
Stengle has been an important cog in the Cats’ forward line since joining the club at the start of 2022 as a delisted free agent.
He has this year kicked 27 goals from 13 matches, performing well despite the side’s untimely form slump.
In total, the 25-year-old has kicked 107 goals in 57 games, and kicked four goals from 15 disposals in the club’s 2022 Grand Final win over Sydney.
TEX MOVE EXTREMELY UNLIKELY AMID SPECULATION ON FUTURE
Amid theories that Crows gun Taylor Walker would be an option for rival clubs in 2025, it looks incredibly unlikely the key forward would entertain such a move – despite the benefits he could bring to clubs across the competition.
Foxfooty.com.au understands that while both Adelaide and the 2023 All-Australian are yet to formalise any dealings beyond the end of this season, a move to a second club would be highly improbable.
His loyalty to the club he was drafted by in 2008 is well-documented, and believed to be a big reason in the unlikelihood of a change in scenery.
The club’s all-time leading goalkicker has previously expressed his loyalty, stating back in 2022 on radio station Triple M that he has no intentions of leaving South Australia.
“Do I want to stay in Adelaide? Yes, I do,” Walker said after reports at the time that multiple clubs had tabled him offers, including Gold Coast.
A lot would have to change between now and the end of the season for the club’s seven-time leading goalkicker to leave the Crows nest, should he choose to play on.
Walker, who signed a one-year extension in July last year, is not set on whether he will play beyond this year, with the club perhaps now forced to look further into the future given their poor season – despite his very serviceable form this year.
Between 2021 and 2023, Walker averaged exactly three goals per game, and has helped carry a developing Crows forward line during a continuing rebuild.
The 35-year-old has played 11 of 14 games this season, and is expected to return from a back injury next Saturday night against GWS at the Adelaide Oval.