news-engine

Don’s new suitor as player swap floated; Roo ‘likely’ to go, Clarko talks to Crow — Trade Whispers A new potential landing spot for Jordan Ridley has reportedly emerged. Meanwhile, a former No.4 draft pick is “more likely” to leave his current club at season’s end. Read on in Trade Whispers. Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. NEW RIDLEY SUITOR EMERGES North Melbourne reportedly has an interest in wantaway Essendon defender Jordan Ridley, as the Roos target a needle-moving defensive upgrade. After flirting with an exit last year, Ridley, under contract until 2029, is again being linked to a trade out of Essendon this October. The Queensland clubs were initially thought to be among the possibilities, but now, per the Age, a move to the Bombers’ traditional rivals is in the mix. The embattled defender has nursed repeated soft-tissue injuries, playing only 26 combined games across the past three seasons. Thus, it’s hard to gauge what his trade value is as he prepares to formally request a departure. After their early first-round pick, the Roos aren’t slated to pick again until the third round of November’s draft. As North Melbourne aggressively pursues a personnel upgrade in the back half, coach Alastair Clarkson has reportedly led the recruiting effort. According to the Age, Clarkson has “spoken with” Crows defender Nick Murray, who’s contracted for two more years but out of favour at West Lakes. The publication believes “there is a scenario” where Clarkson’s club makes plays for both Ridley and Murray this year. The 25-year-old Crow has played just 11 senior games this year, having also been trialled forward. It comes as Adelaide locked in an extension for key defender James Borlase, joining Mark Keane and Josh Worrell as its preferred key back pillars. The Kangaroos are seeking proven support for number-one key defender Charlie Comben, who penned a six-year extension this season. VIC CLUB LINKED TO YOUNG ROO Fledgling North Melbourne forward Zane Duursma is being tipped to exit the Arden Street club at the end of this season, with a Victorian rival “linked”. And it’s not the first time the 38-gamer has been linked with an exit, after he swirled around in Essendon rumours last year. Now, according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey, the almost-21-year-old forward appears to be “looking for a fresh start elsewhere”. The fourth overall draft pick from 2023 is out of contract at the end of this season, and could seek a move to a contending rival. “Zane Duursma is one of the most strange contract storylines of this year,” Twomey said on AFL Media’s Gettable. “He has had a healthy two-year offer on the table from North Melbourne for some time. He’s been putting that off, and I think (he) is looking at a fresh start elsewhere. “Melbourne has been linked to him; they were big fans of him during the draft … They’re the main club, at the moment, who have been linked to him. “At this point, I think it’s more likely he’s not at North Melbourne next year than him being there.” AFL Media’s Riley Beveridge added: “I’m keeping a very close eye on the Dees for Zane Duursma.” But an alternate possible scenario for Duursma includes Essendon and Jordan Ridley. According to the Age, the “Kangaroos’ interest in Ridley could present an opportunity” for a player swap trade. Duursma had played 15 senior games this season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the VFL in July. He went goalless in five of his last six senior games before going out of the side.