SEN’s Trade Bell: Baker yet to decide on club of choice, Shiel’s future in “a state of flux” and more

SEN’s Sam Edmund has provided an update on a raft of players who have been linked to trade moves this off-season.

As well as breaking the news that St Kilda is doing everything possible to lure GWS’ Finn Callaghan to Moorabbin over the next 12 months, Edmund offered updates on Richmond’s Liam Baker, Essendon’s Dylan Shiel, Sydney’s Angus Sheldrick and more.

VICTORIAN SIDE MAKING “NO SECRET” OF THEIR DESIRE TO LURE FINN CALLAGHAN HOME IN 2025.

Read Edmund’s update from SEN Whateley below.

Liam Baker (Richmond)

“Liam Baker was over in Perth earlier this week, he continues to wrestle with just who to pick - West Coast or Fremantle. He hasn’t made up his mind,” Edmund said.

“The lack of certainty over West Coast’s coaching search isn't the deciding factor, but it is absolutely a part of it.

“He's just had a new coach at the Tigers and we don't know who's going to coach West Coast, and even at Fremantle Justin Longmuir at this stage is going into the final year of his contract at the Dockers.

“So there's still some back and forth between the Baker camp and the clubs over there.

“He’s been torn all year between staying at Richmond or leaving for WA, now he's decided the latter, but there's still one more big decision to make and I believe he hasn't actually made it yet.

“Fremantle still thinks they're in it and West Coast still thinks they're in it.”

Dylan Shiel (Essendon)

“It’s in a state of flux this one.

“Unlike his teammate, Jake Stringer, he's not banging down the door to get out of there for multiple years on a contract.

“He's got one year more on good money. The door now appears shut on a move to St Kilda with Jack Macrae set to get to Moorabbin.

“Dylan Shiel played some good footy I thought in the back end of the season, he featured in the last eight games, but the Bombers don't have to and they won't be sitting down with him in this off-season to extend.

“So that one remains as a watch as well.”

Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs) 

“Albeit the dogs aren't just going to hand over Jack Macrae, by the way.

“He’s a contracted midfielder regardless of how much he's been on the outer for much of the year.”

Leek Aleer (GWS)

“The phone has rung off the hook for him this year.

“Now he's down the pecking order a tad despite his talent being abundantly obvious. He played eight senior games this year highlighted by that incredible performance against Geelong in Geelong in Round 11.

“But I like this. He's backing himself to prove himself at his current club.

“He’s not first choice and he could easily go somewhere else, but he's staying at the Giants.

“But next year if he’s in this spot in 12 months’ time, I suspect he’ll be one to watch.

“But he's committed to staying put and he's told them that in his exit meeting.”

Angus Sheldrick (Sydney)

“He’s been a stand-out in the VFL since he got there, so the phone has rung a lot for him.

“He would have options if he explored a trade. He played two games in 2022, seven games last year, but didn’t get a look in this year and he had a nasty ankle injury and concussion.

“But he too is committed to staying for at least the final year of his contract next year.

“We can put a line through him for now.”

James Peatling (GWS)

“We can't be definitive on him staying at the Giants and there's still absolutely an option for him to leave and I think he'd be a great pick up.

“That's a real watch for right here right now.”