THIS year's most prized free agent Tom Lynch appears poised to reveal football's worst-kept secret on Tuesday.
It's long been thought the former Suns co-captain has settled on Richmond as his preferred new home, ahead of fellow Victorian suitors Collingwood and Hawthorn.
Lynch was understandably tightlipped about his future when he spoke at the launch of NAB AFL Trade Radio two weeks ago.
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But with the start of the free agency period little more than three days away, Lynch appears set to reveal all on Tuesday, when he is expected to again address his future at a spring carnival launch and, this time, confirm Richmond as his intended new club.
Although the Suns have the right – and salary cap space – to match the Tigers' offer for Lynch and force a trade, they will almost certainly be happy to accept a free agency compensation pick for the spearhead given it should fall at No.3 overall in this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Which means Lynch's path to Punt Rd should be smooth.
It's understood he'll join the Tigers on a deal of at least six years, worth about $1 million a season.
Wingard's future up in the air
While Lynch's future appears clear, Chad Wingard's remains clouded.
It was reported on Monday the contracted Port Adelaide forward/midfielder had told club officials he wanted to stay after exploring opportunities at Victorian clubs headed by the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn.
However, Wingard's manager, Tom Petroro of TLA Australia, told NAB AFL Trade Radio his client had yet to decide on his future.
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Although the Power had given Wingard the green light to explore opportunities at rival clubs, the fact the dual All Australian was contracted for 2019 meant they were never going to part with him for anything less than a compelling trade.
Especially not when they were already set to lose Jared Polec to North Melbourne via a trade.
So the Bulldogs and Hawks have work to do to (a) convince Wingard his future lies with them; and (b) convince the Power it's in their interests to let him go.
Premiership hero triggers a new deal
Fresh from his outstanding tagging job on Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom in last Saturday's Grand Final, Mark Hutchings has earned a new deal with West Coast.
Hutchings was due to come out of contract on October 31, but comfortably hit a games-based trigger to continue in 2019 after playing a career-high 20 matches this season.
However, the 27-year-old could ultimately re-sign with the Eagles for two years if he activates a trigger for a further season with his finish in West Coast's best and fairest count on Friday night.
Rory set to Lobb in WA
Greater Western Sydney appears destined to lose ruckman Rory Lobb to the pull of home – it seems the only question is whether it's this year or next.
Lobb is contracted until the end of 2019, but GWS has given the West Australian permission to speak to Fremantle and West Coast as it prepares to deal with a salary cap squeeze.
Although the Giants remain open-minded about keeping Lobb, his manager, Nick Gieschen of TLA Australia, told Trade Radio he was set on going home eventually.
"Rory's been there for five years now and has a really close, tight-knit family back in Perth," Gieschen said.
"If the opportunity comes up this year, he would like to get back. If it's not this year, he's out of contract next year and he would like to go back home at some stage."
Gieschen prepares for busy trade period
Gieschen will be one of the busiest player agents this month, with a number of his clients, including Swan Dan Hannebery, likely to be on the move.
He told Trade Radio on Monday:
- Contracted Giants defender Adam Tomlinson, who has been linked with Carlton and St Kilda in past Trade Periods, was unlikely to be on the table this year: "Adam's really happy. I could see him wanting to stay (beyond his existing contract for 2019) if all goes well."
- Swan Gary Rohan was only interested in a trade to Geelong, a deal Gieschen was confident would get done.
- Contracted Melbourne midfielder Dom Tyson was open to be traded to a club that could utilise him in his preferred inside role rather than on the wing. Essendon are understood to be circling Tyson.
- Gieschen was confident Port midfielder Jared Polec would get his desired trade to North Melbourne, while he confirmed the Roos have a five-year deal on the table.
- Free agent Ryan Schoenmakers "loves" playing for Hawthorn, but will have to wait before finding out whether he's offered a new contract.
In other news:
- Collingwood has expanded its search for a key defender to look at contracted Western Bulldog Marcus Adams, who is also on the radar of other rival clubs. It's understood the West Australian's preference is to remain in Victoria.
- Out-of-contract Essendon defender Mark Baguley will also have to wait before learning whether he will be offered a new deal as the Bombers pursue trade targets Dylan Shiel, Jack Martin, Will Setterfield and Dom Tyson.
- Injury-plagued forward Jamie Elliott is set to re-sign with Collingwood for 2019.
