“Wildly inaccurate”: Reported Owies asking price completely false

Reports emerged on Tuesday that Matt Owies and his manager are asking for a multi-year deal on massive money.

Small forward Owies is without a contract for next year and is yet to be offered a new deal by Carlton despite kicking 33 goals in 2024.

A report in the Herald Sun suggested that Owies, 27, and his management are seeking $700,000 to $800,000 whether it be with the Blues or elsewhere.

However, SEN’s Sam Edmund has made contact with Matt Bain, the manager of Owies, who has denied claims of the asking price.

“I’m not even sure we need to say it because it sounded ridiculous anyway,” Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio.

“But the news getting reported yesterday that Matthew Owies was commanding a multi-year deal worth between $700,000 and $800,000 a season.

“It was actually also reported that Carlton had rebuffed that price tag, but were open to retaining Owies on a cheaper deal. And the open question was: Is this the reason behind this bizarre situation with Matt Owies?

“I spoke to Owies’ manager Matt Bain of TGI Sport last night. Bain said the reports were ‘wildly inaccurate, completely false’.

“Yes, he's met with some clubs but money has never been spoken about. Further, Carlton have not offered him a contract, money has not been discussed with the Blues at all.

“I think it's fair to say that this has done Matt Owies’ reputation no favours at all. Certainly not his manager Matt Bain’s either.

“He can count himself unlucky to not be staying at the Blues at this stage, but he's not asking for $700,000-$800,000. It makes you wonder where these things originate, how they spread.”

Edmund said Bain was angry with the report while rival clubs were unaware of the mooted asking price.

“The manager was (angry), I spoke to some clubs as well yesterday afternoon, it was all news to them,” Edmund added.

“I’m sure it's originated from somewhere but the bottom line is, it's not true.

“He's without a home. It looks as though he's going to stay without a home at Carlton. I'm sure he'll be picked up somewhere, but it won't be at a price tag north of $700,000 a season.”

Owies has held talks with West Coast and Gold Coast but no contract offer has been forthcoming as yet.

His career-high 33 goals ranked third at the Blues this season but his future at the club is far from confirmed.