Free agency bombshell as gun forward set to nominate Vic powerhouse; Pies’ interest in veteran star — Trade Whispers

The first big AFL free agency domino of the year has fallen.

Plus, a Coleman Medallist has parked contract conversations until the end of the season, sparking rival interest from a Victorian powerhouse. All the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

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BEN KING SAYS MAKE ME A HAWK

Coleman Medal contender Ben King is set to nominate Hawthorn as his preferred destination, requesting a move from Gold Coast in free agency.

The Age reports King will reject the Suns’ long-term offer to keep him and instead intends to sign a six-year deal at the Hawks.

The move may become complicated with the Suns able to match any offer for the restricted free agent, and the Hawks keen to avoid a trade so they can instead send their top pick to Essendon for Zach Merrett.

The Suns could also accept top-level free agency compensation, currently Pick 5, for the 26-year-old’s exit.

King had previously told Gold Coast he was intending to stay, but his partner wants to return to Victoria and the Suns’ eight-game losing streak has alarmed him.

“Ben King had told the club, his management and family: ‘I am prepared to stay’ on a two-year deal around $2.6 million — he just wasn’t prepared to sign the paperwork,” Midweek Tackle’s Jon Ralph said in early June.

His arrival would create a key forward logjam at Hawthorn with Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Mabior Chol, Calsher Dear and others all vying for spots.

COLEMAN MEDALLIST PARKS CONTRACT TALKS AS PIES CIRCLE

2024 Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan has reportedly put a hold on talks for a contract extension at GWS, leaving Victorian powerhouse Collingwood beginning to circle.

Nine reported on Tuesday evening that the 31-year-old won’t entertain a new deal at the Giants until at least season’s end, after SEN’s Tom Morris reported in May that Hogan and his club of six seasons were far apart on terms for a new deal.

Tuesday’s report suggested that the Magpies view the unrestricted free agent as a low cost option up forward, while Gold Coast also has interest to a lesser degree in him.

After being drafted to Melbourne in the 2012 mini-draft, Hogan played 71 games at the Demons before moving west to Fremantle for a short period, and eventually ventured to the Giants at the end of 2020.

Attacking teammates Jake Stringer, Jake Riccardi and Max Gruzewski all remain out of contract, alongside captain Toby Greene who has been heavily linked to Geelong.

‘WEIGHING UP HIS DECISION’: DEES STAR SPEAKS ON FUTURE OF FREE AGENT TEAMMATE

Star Melbourne defender Jake Lever has given insight into the decision facing out-of-contract teammate Tom Sparrow, as he weighs up interest from his home state.

Speaking to SEN on Tuesday, Lever lauded the 26-year-old for his output in his eighth year at the Demons, which has seen him hit career-best form as an unrestricted free agent.

“Right now, he is playing some fantastic footy. He is just such a great teammate. He chases, he tackles, (and) wins contested ball,” Lever said.

“He is someone I love playing with every week ... I think Tommy understands how much we love him.

“But, he has been in a position where he’s probably only had one or two-year contracts, and right now, playing his career-best footy, he is weighing up his decision.

“I think he understands how important he is to this football club. Now that he has finally got his opportunity, he’s proved to the competition and to Melbourne what he’s worth. I’m sure that will get done in time.”

Sparrow, who hails from Bridgewater in South Australia, has had interest from Port Adelaide back in his home state, and more recently Essendon.

The Demons are expected to have a four or five-year deal on the table for the midfielder-forward.

“Sparrow is expected to attract offers north of $800,000 a season, but the Bombers’ deal may need to approach $1 million in their current predicament to tempt him out of the finals-bound Demons,” Fox Footy’s Jay Clark revealed earlier this month.

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