Saints skipper Steele to start as sub v North Melbourne
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera notched up yet another three-vote performance to bring himself right into Brownlow Medal calculations as St Kilda recorded two consecutive wins on Sunday.
The superstar – who engineered last weekend's 'Miracle at Marvel' – again ran riot with 36 disposals and nine clearances as St Kilda ran out 11.12 (78) to 10.9 (69) winners.
It was his fourth best afield performance in the past five weeks in a performance that is likely to see his Brownlow odds slashed by bookmakers.
In a game that essentially meant nothing other than a cherished victory for two success-starved fan bases, the game seesawed before the Saints gained control and survived a late scare.
In a stark contrast to last week, the Saints all but stopped in the final term with the Roos getting within three points with 1:36 remaining.
St Kilda held on just, kicking its only goal of the last term courtesy of a 50-metre penalty after the siren.
Earlier on, the Saints had the opening goal through Max Heath in no time, but North Melbourne were able to get on top for the remainder of the opening term through superior midfield strength.
Three consecutive goals gave the Roos an early buffer before the Saints found their feet and seized control as North's pressure fell away.
They followed that Roos' run with four goals in a row to lead by a point at the main break after trailing by as much as 19 points early in the second quarter.
The Roos came out better in the second half with two quick goals – including a third goal to Nick Larkey – to regain the lead.
Both sides had their surges, but the Saints were able to get out to a 21-point at the last break after a six-goal quarter.
The Roos nearly pinched it in a frantic final term, but fell just short.
CURTIS ON REPORT
Kangaroos star Paul Curtis faces a nervous wait after being reported for an off-the-ball strike on Angus Hastie.
The pair became tangled on the quarter-time siren, when Curtis struck Hastie high with a
Hastie was seen grabbing at his throat following the incident, with the MRO sure to look at the incident.
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Sydney Morning Herald
41 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Yet to sign: All 220 out-of-contract players in the AFL named
Carlton (13) Harry Charleson, Alex Cincotta, Tom De Koning, Francis Evans, Orazio Fantasia, Nick Haynes, Brodie Kemp, Harry Lemmey, Rob Monahan, Jesse Motlop, Jack Silvagni, Will White, Billy Wilson. Loading It's been a challenging year for the Blues, and they have more battles ahead. Silvagni appears as good as certain to be playing elsewhere in 2026, likely at Collingwood or Western Bulldogs, while De Koning seems odds-on to accept St Kilda's long-term mega offer for him. Haynes proved an astute recruit and is set to go around again, although nothing is agreed to yet. Carlton have a call to make on their small forward brigade, with all of Motlop, Fantasia, Evans and White needing a new deal, as does defensive stopper Cincotta. Key-position swingman Kemp had interest from St Kilda last year, but is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury. Collingwood (15) Mason Cox, Charlie Dean, Jamie Elliott, Billy Frampton, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Noah Howes, Ash Johnson, Finlay Macrae, Oleg Markov, Brody Mihocek, Tom Mitchell, Wil Parker, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Roan Steele, Lachie Sullivan. The Pies have made an offer to Howe, and he will continue next year once a deal is agreed upon, while champion midfielders Pendlebury and Sidebottom are as good as locked in for another season. Mihocek has attracted preliminary interest elsewhere, and could walk if a two-year deal is on the table from another club. Elliott is having an All-Australian-calibre season and will have suitors everywhere if the Magpies can't make a satisfactory offer, with discussions ongoing. Hoskin-Elliott is in wait-and-see mode, while Mitchell and Cox could be on the lookout for new clubs if they want to extend their careers. New ruck rules could make Cox appealing to rivals. Frampton and Sullivan are expected to stay, as is Steele, who has made a good impression. Essendon (16) Lachie Blakiston, Nick Bryan, Alwyn Davey jnr, Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein, Ben Hobbs, Jayden Laverde, Luamon Lual, Liam McMahon, Jye Menzie, Jayden Nguyen, Jaxon Prior, Will Setterfield, Dylan Shiel, Oskar Smartt, Vigo Visentini. There is no incentive for Bryan or Visentini to re-sign until everyone knows what unrestricted free agent Draper is doing. The Bombers want to retain their No.1 ruckman, but both Adelaide and Brisbane are very keen on him. Laverde is an annual watch, and he has some interest elsewhere, although he could yet remain at Tullamarine. Prior was a good addition off the Lions' scrapheap and is expected to score a new deal, while Hobbs was a first-round selection four years ago, but is yet to cement his spot, and Davey jnr – whose twin was delisted last year – will have to bide his time as well. Shiel wants to play on, but the club's youth direction might be against him, and he may be fighting for the same list spot as Setterfield. Fremantle (9) James Aish, Jack Delean, Neil Erasmus, Nat Fyfe, Odin Jones, Oscar McDonald, Quinton Narkle, Liam Reidy, Jeremy Sharp. Loading Erasmus, the No.10 pick in the 2021 draft, has been in and out of the Dockers' senior side, and not surprisingly has opposition interest, particularly from West Coast and Western Bulldogs. Fyfe is surely playing his last season, and Aish's career at the Dockers is tracking towards being over. Sharp, who revived his career at Fremantle after falling out of favour at Gold Coast, is weighing up an offer to stay versus interest from other clubs, so another fresh start could be on the cards. McDonald remains a good depth option down back, and will hope to still be on the list in 2026, while Reidy faces a tough ask playing behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy, but has performed well in the WAFL. Geelong (11) Jed Bews, Ted Clohesy, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie, Xavier Ivisic, Mitch Knevitt, Joe Pike, Patrick Retschko, Rhys Stanley, George Stevens, Ollie Wiltshire. Bews and Duncan may need to look elsewhere if they want to play on, but the latter is expected to retire. Guthrie's next month will determine his future, as he has two VFL games to inspire confidence he may make it back after a wretched, injury-riddled three seasons. Knevitt will continue in 2026, as the Cats want him to stay, and Clohesy has done enough to earn a new deal. Stevens is on the edge after playing two matches, while Stanley has been exceptional in the ruck, which gives him a chance to decide his own fate. They need him regardless of whether they recruit a new ruckman or transition to Toby Conway and Mitch Edwards. Wiltshire is also tipped to continue. Gold Coast (13) Oscar Adams, Tom Berry, Connor Budarick, Asher Eastham, Jy Farrar, Brayden Fiorini, Lachlan Gulbin, Ben Jepson, Sean Lemmens, Caleb Lewis, Malcolm Rosas, Alex Sexton, David Swallow. Rosas Jr is attracting plenty of interest, including from long-time suitors Sydney and Richmond, and should attract a reasonable return for the Suns, while Budarick has also been keeping his powder dry to see whether he can cement a spot in the line-up. Swallow, Sexton and Lemmens are on the fringes and will likely struggle for another deal, but Fiorini's possession count has put him on the edge of a new deal. Nick Holman has quietly re-signed for another season, while Adams and Lewis arrived in the mid-season draft this year and would be hopeful for a longer audition. GWS (6) Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen, Josh Fahey, Lachie Keeffe, Nathan Wardius, Jacob Wehr. Apart from Aleer, the Giants have locked in their most-wanted players, with Callum Brown and Xavier O'Halloran signing extensions recently. The Saints will land Aleer on a lucrative deal after unsuccessfully trying to woo him 12 months ago when he was still under contract, while the Demons remain keen on key-position swingman Derksen, although Simon Goodwin's sacking may change things. Keeffe is football's ultimate survivor, while Wehr has interest from his home state of South Australia. Hawthorn (9) Luke Breust, Sam Butler, Sam Frost, Jack Gunston, Seamus Mitchell, Bodie Ryan, Jasper Scaife, Jai Serong, James Worpel. All eyes are on Worpel, who is yet to make a call on his future as he weighs up four-year offers from the Hawks and Geelong, where he grew up in nearby Bannockburn. Butler returned from a broken leg and can play, but is behind others as a small forward. Champion forward Breust is in good physical shape and could play a role in the back half of the season. His future is in footy in 2026, but it remains to be seen whether it's in coaching or playing. Defender Serong has not been as consistent in the VFL this season, but will have suitors – potentially at his higher-profile brother's team, Fremantle – as he would be a regular at many AFL clubs. Frost is another to watch as the club kept him last season as insurance. He is unlikely to want to move from Victoria, but is a great clubman with value beyond the Hawks. Melbourne (15) Jack Billings, Tom Campbell, Jai Culley, Tom Fullarton, Jack Henderson, Marty Hore, Tom McDonald, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Ricky Mentha, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Oliver Sestan, Charlie Spargo, Will Verrall, Taj Woewodin. Melksham has been outstanding, and looked set to remain a Demon, but a change of coach makes the colours he wears less certain. There must be some doubt about fellow veteran McDonald for the same reason, particularly if Simon Goodwin's replacement wants to freshen the place up. Melbourne must be getting nervous about McVee, who looked poised to re-sign mid-season, but is now a chance to depart. Both Western Australian clubs are keen on him, but they are not alone. Premiership forward Spargo has become a fringe member, but his skill set, particularly his kicking inside 50, is still valuable. Culley has put himself in a good spot to continue with his showing at the weekend. Verrall, Campbell and Fullarton offer ruck depth behind Max Gawn, but none is especially appealing. North Melbourne (13) Zac Banch, Miller Bergman, Callum Coleman-Jones, Kallan Dawson, Eddie Ford, Cooper Harvey, Finnbar Maley, Geordie Payne, Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, Cooper Trembath, Darcy Tucker. Aidan Corr met a contract trigger that locked in his spot for next year, but Phillips will be looking for a new home, with West Coast among the clubs that have monitored him. Harvey has been made to wait but has been deserving of an offer based on his recent form, while Maley is a fan favourite who has shown promise with his strong marking. Tucker is fit again after a back issue, but that ailment did not help his chances. Coleman-Jones has had no luck with injury, but he has endured a disappointing four-year stretch at Arden Street since crossing from Richmond. Fellow big man Teakle has performed well in Tristan Xerri's absence but is no certainty to earn another contract. Port Adelaide (13) Tom Anastasopoulos, Benny Barrett, Ryan Burton, Lachlan Charleson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Finlayson, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz, Jed McEntee, Jacob Moss, Dylan Williams, Burton is touch-and-go to continue at Alberton, with a decision not expected to be made until after the season. There is rival interest in the defender, and he should be playing somewhere in the AFL in 2026, but there is a fair bit still to play out. Lorenz showed enough glimpses against Geelong to get another season, but the end is nigh for Williams, who seems unlikely to score a new deal. Finlayson has enjoyed a solid career across two clubs, and will bank on the Power still seeing value in his versatility and height despite playing more SANFL than AFL games this year. Richmond (13) Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Campbell Gray, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Jacob Koschitzke, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, Tylar Young. Loading Lynch will go around again in 2026 after cooling his jets on the sidelines for five matches, but Dow lives on the fringes, while Sonsie has improved enough in the back half of the season to cement a spot, and Young has made an impression in defence. Blight has shown promising glimpses, too. Prestia and McIntosh sit in the wait-and-see category reserved for popular veterans, although coach Adem Yze gave the former a glowing endorsement a few weeks back. Prestia has played nine consecutive matches in a welcome patch of continuity free of injury. Hayes-Brown has significantly out-performed fellow ruckman Colina in the VFL, and looks a promising longer-term option once captain Toby Nankervis retires. St Kilda (15) Harry Boyd, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Carroll, Zaine Cordy, Max Heath, Dougal Howard, Zak Jones, Isaac Keeler, Angus McLennan, Liam O'Connell, Arie Schoenmaker, Liam Stocker, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jimmy Webster, Marcus Windhager. The Saints always make their players wait, but in some cases this season, the players are returning the favour. Most noticeable has been Wanganeen-Milera's decision, but Windhager is also unlikely to sign soon, with a bunch of clubs, including Sydney, very interested in the durable midfielder. The Saints' out-of-contract veterans have been given a chance to show their wares, but are not exactly demanding new deals. Keeler is a project player and back-up ruckman Boyd will need to see where the cards fall. Stocker looks like he is going to have to live on one-year deals for the rest of his days, but has previously said he enjoyed that pressure. Sydney (11) Jack Buller, Robbie Fox, Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling, Indhi Kirk, Peter Ladhams, Blake Leidler, Jake Lloyd, Caleb Mitchell, Ben Paton, Dane Rampe. Ladhams has established himself as Brodie Grundy's back-up, and has a two-year offer to continue, but negotiations are ongoing. Veteran defender Lloyd also has a one-year offer in front of him, but coach Dean Cox said a decision on Rampe's future was still to be determined. Buller has enjoyed some solid games late in the season, which could help his cause, while Fox, Francis and Hamling may be competing for contracts with list spots at a premium – but it may depend on what the Swans decide on Rampe. West Coast (12) Oscar Allen, Rhett Bazzo, Malakai Champion, Campbell Chesser, Tom Cole, Jamie Cripps, Jayden Hunt, Callum Jamieson, Coen Livingstone, Jacob Newton, Jack Petruccelle, Loch Rawlinson. Cripps has a one-year offer in front of him, so he will extend his career into 2026. There is more doubt about speedster Petruccelle, who has struggled for opportunities under Andrew McQualter, but Victorian clubs have expressed interest in him. Allen is virtually certain to join Brisbane as a free agent, which will be a blow to the Eagles but should deliver decent compensation. Chesser was excellent in his first game for the season and is attracting interest elsewhere as a first-round pick who has had an up-and-down career so far. Western Bulldogs (12) Oskar Baker, Nick Coffield, Taylor Duryea, Jason Johannisen, Arthur Jones, Liam Jones, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Poulter, Anthony Scott, Michael Sellwood, Adam Treloar. Liberatore will stay on another one-year deal, and Arthur Jones has an offer to remain at the Kennel. Small forwards are hot property, so he may not rush to re-sign. Treloar's injury concerns mean he is yet to re-sign, but it would be a shock if he was not on the list next season. Baker has been in and out of the team but is too good to play VFL. Duryea and Liam Jones are nearing the end, while ex-Saint Coffield is touch and go after limited opportunities at AFL level.
The Age
41 minutes ago
- The Age
Yet to sign: All 220 out-of-contract players in the AFL named
Carlton (13) Harry Charleson, Alex Cincotta, Tom De Koning, Francis Evans, Orazio Fantasia, Nick Haynes, Brodie Kemp, Harry Lemmey, Rob Monahan, Jesse Motlop, Jack Silvagni, Will White, Billy Wilson. Loading It's been a challenging year for the Blues, and they have more battles ahead. Silvagni appears as good as certain to be playing elsewhere in 2026, likely at Collingwood or Western Bulldogs, while De Koning seems odds-on to accept St Kilda's long-term mega offer for him. Haynes proved an astute recruit and is set to go around again, although nothing is agreed to yet. Carlton have a call to make on their small forward brigade, with all of Motlop, Fantasia, Evans and White needing a new deal, as does defensive stopper Cincotta. Key-position swingman Kemp had interest from St Kilda last year, but is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury. Collingwood (15) Mason Cox, Charlie Dean, Jamie Elliott, Billy Frampton, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Noah Howes, Ash Johnson, Finlay Macrae, Oleg Markov, Brody Mihocek, Tom Mitchell, Wil Parker, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Roan Steele, Lachie Sullivan. The Pies have made an offer to Howe, and he will continue next year once a deal is agreed upon, while champion midfielders Pendlebury and Sidebottom are as good as locked in for another season. Mihocek has attracted preliminary interest elsewhere, and could walk if a two-year deal is on the table from another club. Elliott is having an All-Australian-calibre season and will have suitors everywhere if the Magpies can't make a satisfactory offer, with discussions ongoing. Hoskin-Elliott is in wait-and-see mode, while Mitchell and Cox could be on the lookout for new clubs if they want to extend their careers. New ruck rules could make Cox appealing to rivals. Frampton and Sullivan are expected to stay, as is Steele, who has made a good impression. Essendon (16) Lachie Blakiston, Nick Bryan, Alwyn Davey jnr, Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein, Ben Hobbs, Jayden Laverde, Luamon Lual, Liam McMahon, Jye Menzie, Jayden Nguyen, Jaxon Prior, Will Setterfield, Dylan Shiel, Oskar Smartt, Vigo Visentini. There is no incentive for Bryan or Visentini to re-sign until everyone knows what unrestricted free agent Draper is doing. The Bombers want to retain their No.1 ruckman, but both Adelaide and Brisbane are very keen on him. Laverde is an annual watch, and he has some interest elsewhere, although he could yet remain at Tullamarine. Prior was a good addition off the Lions' scrapheap and is expected to score a new deal, while Hobbs was a first-round selection four years ago, but is yet to cement his spot, and Davey jnr – whose twin was delisted last year – will have to bide his time as well. Shiel wants to play on, but the club's youth direction might be against him, and he may be fighting for the same list spot as Setterfield. Fremantle (9) James Aish, Jack Delean, Neil Erasmus, Nat Fyfe, Odin Jones, Oscar McDonald, Quinton Narkle, Liam Reidy, Jeremy Sharp. Loading Erasmus, the No.10 pick in the 2021 draft, has been in and out of the Dockers' senior side, and not surprisingly has opposition interest, particularly from West Coast and Western Bulldogs. Fyfe is surely playing his last season, and Aish's career at the Dockers is tracking towards being over. Sharp, who revived his career at Fremantle after falling out of favour at Gold Coast, is weighing up an offer to stay versus interest from other clubs, so another fresh start could be on the cards. McDonald remains a good depth option down back, and will hope to still be on the list in 2026, while Reidy faces a tough ask playing behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy, but has performed well in the WAFL. Geelong (11) Jed Bews, Ted Clohesy, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie, Xavier Ivisic, Mitch Knevitt, Joe Pike, Patrick Retschko, Rhys Stanley, George Stevens, Ollie Wiltshire. Bews and Duncan may need to look elsewhere if they want to play on, but the latter is expected to retire. Guthrie's next month will determine his future, as he has two VFL games to inspire confidence he may make it back after a wretched, injury-riddled three seasons. Knevitt will continue in 2026, as the Cats want him to stay, and Clohesy has done enough to earn a new deal. Stevens is on the edge after playing two matches, while Stanley has been exceptional in the ruck, which gives him a chance to decide his own fate. They need him regardless of whether they recruit a new ruckman or transition to Toby Conway and Mitch Edwards. Wiltshire is also tipped to continue. Gold Coast (13) Oscar Adams, Tom Berry, Connor Budarick, Asher Eastham, Jy Farrar, Brayden Fiorini, Lachlan Gulbin, Ben Jepson, Sean Lemmens, Caleb Lewis, Malcolm Rosas, Alex Sexton, David Swallow. Rosas Jr is attracting plenty of interest, including from long-time suitors Sydney and Richmond, and should attract a reasonable return for the Suns, while Budarick has also been keeping his powder dry to see whether he can cement a spot in the line-up. Swallow, Sexton and Lemmens are on the fringes and will likely struggle for another deal, but Fiorini's possession count has put him on the edge of a new deal. Nick Holman has quietly re-signed for another season, while Adams and Lewis arrived in the mid-season draft this year and would be hopeful for a longer audition. GWS (6) Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen, Josh Fahey, Lachie Keeffe, Nathan Wardius, Jacob Wehr. Apart from Aleer, the Giants have locked in their most-wanted players, with Callum Brown and Xavier O'Halloran signing extensions recently. The Saints will land Aleer on a lucrative deal after unsuccessfully trying to woo him 12 months ago when he was still under contract, while the Demons remain keen on key-position swingman Derksen, although Simon Goodwin's sacking may change things. Keeffe is football's ultimate survivor, while Wehr has interest from his home state of South Australia. Hawthorn (9) Luke Breust, Sam Butler, Sam Frost, Jack Gunston, Seamus Mitchell, Bodie Ryan, Jasper Scaife, Jai Serong, James Worpel. All eyes are on Worpel, who is yet to make a call on his future as he weighs up four-year offers from the Hawks and Geelong, where he grew up in nearby Bannockburn. Butler returned from a broken leg and can play, but is behind others as a small forward. Champion forward Breust is in good physical shape and could play a role in the back half of the season. His future is in footy in 2026, but it remains to be seen whether it's in coaching or playing. Defender Serong has not been as consistent in the VFL this season, but will have suitors – potentially at his higher-profile brother's team, Fremantle – as he would be a regular at many AFL clubs. Frost is another to watch as the club kept him last season as insurance. He is unlikely to want to move from Victoria, but is a great clubman with value beyond the Hawks. Melbourne (15) Jack Billings, Tom Campbell, Jai Culley, Tom Fullarton, Jack Henderson, Marty Hore, Tom McDonald, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Ricky Mentha, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Oliver Sestan, Charlie Spargo, Will Verrall, Taj Woewodin. Melksham has been outstanding, and looked set to remain a Demon, but a change of coach makes the colours he wears less certain. There must be some doubt about fellow veteran McDonald for the same reason, particularly if Simon Goodwin's replacement wants to freshen the place up. Melbourne must be getting nervous about McVee, who looked poised to re-sign mid-season, but is now a chance to depart. Both Western Australian clubs are keen on him, but they are not alone. Premiership forward Spargo has become a fringe member, but his skill set, particularly his kicking inside 50, is still valuable. Culley has put himself in a good spot to continue with his showing at the weekend. Verrall, Campbell and Fullarton offer ruck depth behind Max Gawn, but none is especially appealing. North Melbourne (13) Zac Banch, Miller Bergman, Callum Coleman-Jones, Kallan Dawson, Eddie Ford, Cooper Harvey, Finnbar Maley, Geordie Payne, Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, Cooper Trembath, Darcy Tucker. Aidan Corr met a contract trigger that locked in his spot for next year, but Phillips will be looking for a new home, with West Coast among the clubs that have monitored him. Harvey has been made to wait but has been deserving of an offer based on his recent form, while Maley is a fan favourite who has shown promise with his strong marking. Tucker is fit again after a back issue, but that ailment did not help his chances. Coleman-Jones has had no luck with injury, but he has endured a disappointing four-year stretch at Arden Street since crossing from Richmond. Fellow big man Teakle has performed well in Tristan Xerri's absence but is no certainty to earn another contract. Port Adelaide (13) Tom Anastasopoulos, Benny Barrett, Ryan Burton, Lachlan Charleson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Finlayson, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz, Jed McEntee, Jacob Moss, Dylan Williams, Burton is touch-and-go to continue at Alberton, with a decision not expected to be made until after the season. There is rival interest in the defender, and he should be playing somewhere in the AFL in 2026, but there is a fair bit still to play out. Lorenz showed enough glimpses against Geelong to get another season, but the end is nigh for Williams, who seems unlikely to score a new deal. Finlayson has enjoyed a solid career across two clubs, and will bank on the Power still seeing value in his versatility and height despite playing more SANFL than AFL games this year. Richmond (13) Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Campbell Gray, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Jacob Koschitzke, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, Tylar Young. Loading Lynch will go around again in 2026 after cooling his jets on the sidelines for five matches, but Dow lives on the fringes, while Sonsie has improved enough in the back half of the season to cement a spot, and Young has made an impression in defence. Blight has shown promising glimpses, too. Prestia and McIntosh sit in the wait-and-see category reserved for popular veterans, although coach Adem Yze gave the former a glowing endorsement a few weeks back. Prestia has played nine consecutive matches in a welcome patch of continuity free of injury. Hayes-Brown has significantly out-performed fellow ruckman Colina in the VFL, and looks a promising longer-term option once captain Toby Nankervis retires. St Kilda (15) Harry Boyd, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Carroll, Zaine Cordy, Max Heath, Dougal Howard, Zak Jones, Isaac Keeler, Angus McLennan, Liam O'Connell, Arie Schoenmaker, Liam Stocker, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jimmy Webster, Marcus Windhager. The Saints always make their players wait, but in some cases this season, the players are returning the favour. Most noticeable has been Wanganeen-Milera's decision, but Windhager is also unlikely to sign soon, with a bunch of clubs, including Sydney, very interested in the durable midfielder. The Saints' out-of-contract veterans have been given a chance to show their wares, but are not exactly demanding new deals. Keeler is a project player and back-up ruckman Boyd will need to see where the cards fall. Stocker looks like he is going to have to live on one-year deals for the rest of his days, but has previously said he enjoyed that pressure. Sydney (11) Jack Buller, Robbie Fox, Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling, Indhi Kirk, Peter Ladhams, Blake Leidler, Jake Lloyd, Caleb Mitchell, Ben Paton, Dane Rampe. Ladhams has established himself as Brodie Grundy's back-up, and has a two-year offer to continue, but negotiations are ongoing. Veteran defender Lloyd also has a one-year offer in front of him, but coach Dean Cox said a decision on Rampe's future was still to be determined. Buller has enjoyed some solid games late in the season, which could help his cause, while Fox, Francis and Hamling may be competing for contracts with list spots at a premium – but it may depend on what the Swans decide on Rampe. West Coast (12) Oscar Allen, Rhett Bazzo, Malakai Champion, Campbell Chesser, Tom Cole, Jamie Cripps, Jayden Hunt, Callum Jamieson, Coen Livingstone, Jacob Newton, Jack Petruccelle, Loch Rawlinson. Cripps has a one-year offer in front of him, so he will extend his career into 2026. There is more doubt about speedster Petruccelle, who has struggled for opportunities under Andrew McQualter, but Victorian clubs have expressed interest in him. Allen is virtually certain to join Brisbane as a free agent, which will be a blow to the Eagles but should deliver decent compensation. Chesser was excellent in his first game for the season and is attracting interest elsewhere as a first-round pick who has had an up-and-down career so far. Western Bulldogs (12) Oskar Baker, Nick Coffield, Taylor Duryea, Jason Johannisen, Arthur Jones, Liam Jones, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Poulter, Anthony Scott, Michael Sellwood, Adam Treloar. Liberatore will stay on another one-year deal, and Arthur Jones has an offer to remain at the Kennel. Small forwards are hot property, so he may not rush to re-sign. Treloar's injury concerns mean he is yet to re-sign, but it would be a shock if he was not on the list next season. Baker has been in and out of the team but is too good to play VFL. Duryea and Liam Jones are nearing the end, while ex-Saint Coffield is touch and go after limited opportunities at AFL level.
Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Sky News AU
AFL 2025; Lachie Neale sidelined until finals
Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale won't play the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a quad injury. The dual Brownlow Medallist underwent scans after pulling up sore from the Lions' triumphant win over Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday. They revealed a minor concern which will sideline Neale for three weeks. The pre-finals bye means Neale should be able to return for Brisbane's premiership defence. Reliable defender Ryan Lester has entered mandatory concussion protocols after his head clash against the Magpies. The Lions are third with games against Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn to come on the run home. NORTH Melbourne forward Nick Larkey's availability for Round 22 is in doubt after he re-aggravated his knee injury in Sunday's loss to St Kilda. A heavy landing after an aerial contest exacerbated the PCL injury to his right knee. 'He was moving well post-game but will be braced conservatively in the early part of this week while his availability and planning is confirmed later in the week after medical consultation,' North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said. Kangaroos Captain Jy Simpkin also faces a fitness test later in the week after experiencing inflammation of the tendon behind his knee. GWS have lost emerging midfielder Toby McMullin for the rest of the season after scans confirmed a syndesmosis injury for the youngster. The 20-year-old underwent surgery on Monday to repair the damage. St Kilda, meanwhile, has suffered a late-season blow with young forward Mitch Owens ruled out for the year. Owens sustained a hamstring injury during the Saints' win over North Melbourne and will not feature again until 2026. 'You never want to see any of your players on the sidelines, however at this time of year it would be unnecessary to take any undue risks,' St Kilda general manager David Misson said. 'Mitch will meet with further specialists in the coming days to assess whether or not surgery will be required. 'He's a great young guy who we know will take all the necessary steps to get him back on the park as soon as possible.' Originally published as AFL 2025: Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale sidelined with a quad concern
