Tom Morris’ contract update on Travis Boak, Battle’s big pay rise, trade news and more

Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak could be set to play on for a 19th AFL season.

Tom Morris is reporting that there’s a “red-hot” chance he plays on given the club is happier with him now than they were at the same time in 2023.

Morris provided a trade update on SEN Whateley while going over some other interesting contract updates.

Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)

“Port are happier with him right now than they were this time last year,” Morris said.

“So, I think that it's more likely that he plays on than not. This conversation will be held at the end of the year.

“If you asked Port Adelaide and even people around Boak at Round 1, they would have said this is definitely his last year.

“But there is still a red-hot chance that he goes around again. He's done so well on the wing and he's fitter now than he was this time last year.

“He wants to play on. He'll play forever if he can.”

Josh Battle (St Kilda – will move to Hawthorn in free agency)

“With Josh Battle, I’ve got his exact salary for 2024 minus any match payments -it was $400,000 plus $20,000 ASA (additional services agreements).

“It’s why he's an unrestricted free agent because he wasn't in the top 25 per cent of paid players at St Kilda.

“Why is that relevant? It’s because his salary at Hawthorn will more than double next year, and St Kilda were reportedly offering $900,000-950,000.

“So, he’s in for a big, big pay rise regardless … all that remains is whether the Saints get that band one competition and that’s on the borderline, we don’t know yet and we won’t until the week after the Grand Final.”

Harry Perryman (GWS)

“Harry Perryman wants to play midfield, so I don't know what he's thinking whether he wants to go to South Australia, whether he wants to go to the Hawks, even if he wants to stay at the Giants, although that appears less likely now given he hasn't signed.

“But he wants to play more midfield and Port has cash and so do the Hawks.

“We know the Hawks met him up in Sydney. So, I think this is one that will go to the end of the year, and I think it's whoever can offer him the best opportunity rather than the most money.”

Noah Cumberland (Richmond)

“Collingwood reached out months ago, but that hasn't really progressed any further.

“He's been told to wait until the end of the trade period (by Richmond) and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t on an AFL list next year, but there’s no certainty from the Tigers at this point.”

Alex Witherden (West Coast)

“Before Adam Simpson was sacked, he said to Alex Witherden, ‘I believe we're going to give you a two-year deal’.

“He gets sacked a couple of weeks later, and now he's been told to wait until the end of the trade period.

“His future is very unclear.”

Malcolm Rosas and Levi Casboult (Gold Coast)

“With Malcolm Rosas, they’ve told him to have a look if he wants, but I think he would prefer to stay at the Gold Coast Suns, he’s contracted for next year.

“With Levi Casboult, they’ve told him to wait to see what happens until after the trade period.

“That just depends on who else the Gold Coast Suns can bring in.”