Player manager Scott Lucas, from Phoenix Management Group, has provided updates on a number of his clients.
The former Essendon star spoke to Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade regarding the likes of Jake Riccardi, Darcy Fort, Darcy Macpherson, Roarke Smith and David Zaharakis.
He also gave some insight into discussions with Carlton around the extension of Sam Walsh’s contract.
Jake Riccardi (GWS)
On the Giants and outside interest:
“We’re working through things with the Giants at the moment.
“His preference is to stay at the Giants and I think we’ll get to that position.
“There has been some interest, but the Giants came early to keep him. Earlier in the year they were keen to extend him out.
“We just decided to hold to the appropriate time and decided to wait until the end of the year. There’s never really been any issue there other than just wait and see how the year goes.”
On not getting many chances in 2021:
“He had an ankle (injury) over pre-season so that slowed him down a little bit and Jesse Hogan came into the team and that made it more difficult.
“I think they structured up slightly differently as well and all of those things combined made it that bit harder for him.
“When he came into the team with an opportunity, quite simply I don’t think he nailed it to the level he would have liked. Therefore he found himself out and challenged to get back in.
“Overall, he’s a young player. It was only his second year and he’s got a lot of great football in front of him.”
Darcy Fort (Geelong)
“With Darcy we’re looking at opportunities for him.
“The reality is, he’s contracted so if Geelong say no, then they say no. But if a club is open to a discussion elsewhere, and it can work for both parties, then we’re always looking to explore for players.”
On reported interest from Brisbane and other clubs:
“There’s been some interest, no doubt about it.
“Rhys Stanley has signed an extension so we look at that pragmatically and say clearly they’re pleased with what Rhys is doing.
“Darcy didn’t play a game this year for Geelong, so therefore you do have a look around for him and try to present some options to him to get the most out of his career.
“We’ve had a look into it, still a fair bit fork to do, but we’re hopeful.”
Darcy Macpherson (Gold Coast)
On talk of leaving the Suns:
“The talk is real, whether it’s realistic…
“I’m playing a very straight bat I know, but there’s always a lot to work through. You’ve got Gold Coast, you’ve got Darcy contracted and then we’re looking for another team that’s prepared to take him on board and potentially trade for that.
“Quite a lot has to come together, but Gold Coast are looking at a couple of players that are in contract that they’d like if they could to find a home for.
“I think that provides some salary cap relief and also provides some opportunities for that particular player who may not have those opportunities.”
Roarke Smith (Western Bulldogs)
“He is (out of contract), but we’ll work through. We’ve had really good chats.
“Spoken to (Dogs list boss) Sam Power quite a bit over the last month and I think we’ll have no issues in sorting out Roarke in the next week or two.”
David Zaharakis (Essendon - delisted)
“Right now, ‘Zaka’ is open minded, therefore we explore with other clubs is there an opportunity?
“If there’s not, then that’s ok. Right now you look at it and it takes a bit of time because there’s the trade period, delisted free agents and SSP (Supplementary Selection Period), so there’s a few hurdles to jump.
“We’ve had some discussions with clubs, some interest, we’ll just see where that goes. There’s certainly nothing definite at the moment and if it’s not the case, Zaka has been really sensible along the way.”
Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Has Carlton approached Lucas about extending Walsh’s contract beyond 2022?
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