Levi Casboult rumours, free agent: Is he going to Richmond from Carlton?JON RALPH,
Herald Sun
10 August 2017LEVI Casboult has not yet agreed to a move to Richmond but is open to relocating to a club that will offer him a long-term deal.
The Blues spearhead has taken the most contested marks in footy this year and kicked an equal team-high 29 goals for Carlton.
But while he grew up a Blues fan his status as an unrestricted free agent reflects his modest wage at Carlton — he is not in the top 10 paid players.
Despite reports he had agreed in principle with the Tigers his manager Anthony McConville told the Herald Sun on Wednesday he was still considering his options.
He is intent on waiting until season’s end and is keen to maximise the terms of his most lucrative contract of his career after turning 27 last March.
Of the 36 players in the competition who have had at least 100 hit-outs (he has 137), his 29 goals are 12 more than any other player.
Port Adelaide free agent Jackson Trengove has 17 goals, Rory Lobbe 16 and Ben McEvoy 16, with his dual position status a key selling point for rivals.
It is understood Casboult would want a deal of at least three years and on finances that reflect his position as one of the few key forwards on the open market.
He has multiple suitors that include Richmond, where his marking and contested work in the forward line would help their fleet of quick crumbers.
McConville said yesterday Casboult had made no decision on his future.
“At the end of the day it’s going to be Levi’s decision as to whether he remains at Carlton,’’ he told the Herald Sun.
“My job is to facilitate what is available for him. I can assure you at this point in time there is no deal from any club that has been brokered or agreed to.
“It will remain that way until the last game and then we will see at year’s end what is available at Carlton. We will keep all our options open until the end of the year.”
If Carlton finished last and Casboult left they could receive pick 18 as free agency compensation for him given GWS does not have a first-round pick
It would not only give them some salary cap relief but another high pick to attempt to lure GWS midfielders Josh Kelly or Jacob Hopper.
Carlton could win their fifth wooden spoon in 15 this year given they are unlikely to win again — they face West Coast (away), Hawthorn and Sydney (SCG).
Brisbane has one less win but faces an injury-raved Gold Coast without Tom Lynch, Jarrod Witts and likely Gary Ablett, then Melbourne and North Melbourne (Gabba).
Fellow Sydney free agent Sam Reid, who has never kicked more than 31 goals a year, just won another lucrative four-year contract.
Casboult has kicked more goals, taken more marks and won more hit-outs than Reid in the past three seasons but would be paid far less than the Swans swingman.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/carlton-spearhead-levi-casboult-is-considering-his-options-as-an-unrestricted-free-agent/news-story/57308ac66991fa55a6d42198581251b7
