Small Blue to be a massive off-season target as Magpies small also garners rival interest

AFL Media journalist Riley Beveridge is reporting that Carlton small forward Matt Owies is of significant interest to rival clubs this off-season.

The 27-year-old comes out of contract at the end of the season but isn’t a free agent so clubs would need to trade for his services.

He’s kicked 21 goals from 15 games for the Blues in 2024 following on from the 27 he booted in 18 games last campaign and Beveridge thinks that clubs that were keen on Tyson Stengle will now turn their focus to Owies now that the Cat re-signed for five years.

“He’s going to be a massive target for clubs,” Beveridge told AFL.com.au’s Gettable.

“I believe that interest in Matt Owies is now red-hot from around the competition.

“You reported last week that Tyson Stengle re-signed at the Cats for another five years.

“I reckon that clubs that were in for a small forward and were in the Stengle market have now moved their attention to Matt Owies as someone who is potentially gettable at the end of the year.

“He’s the third-highest goalkicker at the Blues behind Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.”

Another small forward that clubs are showing interest in according to Beveridge is Collingwood’s Joe Richards.

While Richards has only played four games, he’s picked up at least 12 disposals and a goal in each of the full games he’s played so far and even ranks 10th in the competition for goal assists per game at 1.2.

“It’s the same for Joe Richards,” Beveridge said.

“He got back into Collingwood’s side over the weekend.

“He’s shown good signs this year but he’s yet to start talks with the Magpies this year.

“I reckon those two are now in the small forward market.”

Richards is also out of contract and not a free agent having been drafted two years ago out of Wangaratta as a mature-aged recruit.