Essendon’s Brandon Zerk-Thatcher could be a player of interest this trade period.
With the tall defender coming off contract at the end of the year, clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation at Tullamarine.
After playing 29 games from 2019 to 2022, Zerk-Thatcher has become a mainstay of Essendon’s defence under Brad Scott, playing 15 games so far this season.
AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich believes Zerk-Thatcher is a player to watch in the key defender sweepstakes with the likes of Tom Doedee, Esava Ratugolea, Ben McKay and Harry Himmelberg also chances to move clubs.
“The key defender market is hotting up,” Gabelich told SEN Sportsday.
“We know Tom Doedee has a decision to make, Esava Ratugolea has a decision to make, so do Ben McKay and Harry Himmelberg.
“But one that's probably in the tier below is Brandon Zerk-Thatcher at Tullamarine and he's got a fair bit of interest.
“Riley Beveridge is reporting that there are clubs just monitoring his progress.
“He’s yet to re-sign, so just keep an eye on Brandon Zerk-Thatcher at the Bombers.”
Another position clubs will target this off-season is set to be ruck, with another merry-go-round potentially set for ruckmen that aren’t getting senior opportunities.
One player in that bracket is Bulldogs big man Jordon Sweet who is dominating at VFL but can’t break into Luke Beveridge’s senior side with Tim English in the role.
Gabelich expects multiple clubs to look at Sweet and he believes he’s every chance to be on a rival club’s list in 2024.
“Also keep an eye on Jordon Sweet at the Western Bulldogs,” Gabelich said.
“He can't get into this side with Tim English there, he’s 25 and he’s the number one rated ruckman in the VFL, he’s been dominating at that level.
“There's clearly no room for him in the same team as Tim English.
“He's got an offer on the table from the Western Bulldogs, but clubs have had a good crack at him in the past.
“West Coast have tried to pull him out a couple of times, Port Adelaide have shown a bit of interest, we know their ruck situation.
“I dare say he'll be one that's on the move this year and there are a number of clubs looking at him.
“We're just waiting to see what Tom De Koning does because I think that'll set off a bit of a ripple effect around the comp.”
Sweet played 11 AFL games for the Dogs across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The 205cm ruckman is currently averaging 11.2 disposals, 5.1 tackles and 40.2 hitouts a game in the VFL this campaign.
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