One of the hottest properties on the AFL trade table looks to have committed himself to North Melbourne for the foreseeable future.
And Gold Coast may need to open up to a unique proposition for the potential acquiring of Daniel Rioli.
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LDU A ROO THROUGH AND THROUGH
Star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke has declared his loyalty to long-time club North Melbourne, in a massive win for Kangaroos fans after a grim 2024 season so far.
Speaking to the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph, the 25-year-old was committal as one can be in his shoes at Arden Street.
“Yeah, absolutely. I see myself playing for North Melbourne for the rest of my career,” Davies-Uniacke told the Herald Sun.
“I think there has been a lot of stuff and a lot of talk about my contract and I have always basically signed in the year that it is expiring. That is when we have done those talks.
“So we didn’t feel like there was any rush to get a move on with it quickly. It is obviously going to be an important decision to make and no doubt the club and my manager will get something done. I love the club.
“Sheezel, Larkey, Simmo, the big three. Them signing on certainly inspired me to want to get more involved in the contract talks. It certainly is one of the biggest aspects that will come from that stuff.”
Out of contract at the club at the end of next season, rumours continued to swirl around Davies-Uniacke’s longevity at the club, with the potential for money from a club in the premiership window understandably keeping both him and supporters on their toes.
But his loyalty looks to have had the final say on rival offers, as the midfielder unofficially commits himself to Alastair Clarkson’s youthful squad for many years to come.
SUNS’ EYES ON DANIEL RIOLI GETS COMPLICATED
The future of Daniel Rioli beyond 2024 has again been brought into the spotlight, despite the three-time premiership player being contracted at Tigerland until the end of 2027.
Daniel’s ultra-tight relationship with his uncle Maurice Rioli Jnr is believed to potentially complicate Gold Coast’s pursuit for the defender, with the duo perhaps only willing to move as a package deal.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun reporters Sam Landsberger and Lauren Wood discussed their potential next move.
“I’m not sure Daniel really wants to leave Maurice, and I’m not sure Maurice wants to play without Dan; so it might be a fact of can Gold Coast play both, would Richmond trade both?” Landsberger begun by saying.
“There’s a little bit there to play out more than just the draft picks on the table, does Gold Coast have a need or a want for Maurice Rioli? I’m not sure.
“Daniel is Maurice’s nephew, (so) I’m not too sure they want to play apart.”
Wood than detailed their relationship as youngsters, and as to why they look so fondly on the idea of continuing their playing careers together.
“These guys grew up tight as tight; they have spoken about kicking a Coke bottle under the one street light where they lived on the Tiwi Islands, treating it like it was a footy and pretending they were on the MCG,” Wood explained.
“I think it’s safe to say that there was an element when Maurice came to Melbourne … that there was a promise that he would look after him.”
Maurice is currently three to four weeks away from his return after a nasty syndesmosis injury sustained against the Western Bulldogs in Round 9.
Daniel has played 174 games since his debut in 2016, while Maurice has played 35 since 2021.