The biggest looming battle for a free agent is between Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood, as the three Victorian heavyweights shape up to fight for the services of Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch.
“(The Hawks) would have the best salary cap position,” Niall said.
“(But) if they are pursuing Rory Sloane or another midfielder they would only have the room for one player, they wouldn’t be able to get Lynch and Sloane if Sloane decides to leave the Crows.”
While that may open the door for the Tigers and Magpies, both clubs have salary cap concerns of their own that need to be sorted before any official offers can be tabled for Lynch.
“Richmond have got a number of players out of contract but they would have to find space,” Niall said.
“That would be a difficult task.”
The Tigers still have 19 players coming out of contract this year, including premiership heroes Shaun Grigg, Nathan Broad, Jacob Townsend and Bachar Houli, along with Jayden Short and Reece Conca who both appear to have forced their way into Richmond’s best 22.
However, the reigning premier’s habit of rotating players through the side will stop many from making big contract demands, as well as the club being able to milk the ‘stay together for less as we chase success’ line.
The Magpies are also feeling the strain with many players putting in career-best seasons just as a whopping 22 of them come out of contract.
“Collingwood are trying to keep De Goey, trying to keep Darcy Moore, trying to keep Elliott,” Niall said.
Key midfielders Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams are up for re-negotiation at the end of next year and both will be expecting to ask for sizable deals.
“So all of those clubs have challenges trying to accommodate Tom Lynch.”
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