Could a change in AFL rules mean the return of a retired Blue?
In addition, the Tigers make a “hard to refuse” offer for a West Aussie being circled by the Eagles.
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JONES MEETS WITH RIVALS AS RETURN LOOMS
Retired Blue Liam Jones has been spotted meeting a rival Victorian club just eight months after his shocking decision to leave the sport at the age of 29.
Jones refused to meet the AFL’s vaccine mandate and retired last November – despite having one year left on his contract.
But this week, 7NEWS revealed that the former Blues defender had met with Essendon’s list manager Adrian Dodoro in Queensland.
The duo was spotted drinking coffee on Friday.
Jones played in the QAFL this season, leading 10 games.
The decision to walk away from his senior year with the blues has been reported to cost him a whopping $500,000.
Jones would need the AFL to lift his current vaccine mandate in order to play again.
In January, Jones revealed he hadn’t given up hope of playing in the AFL again
“I’ve trained really hard and I feel like I’m as fit as ever,” Jones told 7 News†
“It’s just one of those things that no one else has control over, but the world does.
“So I’ll just train as hard as I can, play as hard as I can and cross that bridge when we get there.”
Jones added: “In my opinion, I feel like I still have my best football in front of me.”
Jones’ reported interest in returning to the AFL comes just one day after fellow unvaccinated player Cam Ellis-Yolmen returned to the SANFL.
The 29-year-old was placed on the Brisbane inactive list after failing to meet the AFL’s vaccine mandate in January.
Like Jones, Ellis-Yolmen said he still had hopes of returning to the AFL.
WHY COLLINGWOOD WILL LOVE THE GOEY
Fox Footy’s Mark Robinson believes Jordan de Goey will be in Collingwood by 2023, warning rival clubs that “don’t take other people’s luggage with you”.
Robinson said on 3AW Friday that Pies coach Craig McRae’s comments were the biggest indication the club would hold onto the troubled star.
“I think Jordan de Goey will be in Collingwood next year. His price has fallen. That’s his punishment (for the recent Bali saga),” Robinson said.
“Every time I hear Craig McRae talk about footy, humanity and life, I’m really impressed with what happens to a decent person Craig McRae.
“It’s not lip service (when McRae talks about de Goey) — that’s someone saying ‘hey, he’s my responsibility, he’s our responsibility’.”
Recent reports have linked Geelong to the Pies star, but Robinson warned rival clubs that they should seriously consider the risks of recruiting someone like de Goey.
“If he says he left and says he went to Geelong, it fails and it doesn’t work. The people who made the decision to take him are being held accountable,” he warned.
“He has a tendency to find problems.
“I just love the way McRae is talking right now (about the Goey).”
De Goey will be out of contract at the end of 2022.
TIGERS TAKE ANOTHER STEP TO LOVE BAKER
Richmond has reportedly made Liam Baker an offer that is “hard to refuse” as West Coast continues to loom as a potential home for the West Aussie talent.
The Herald Sun reports that the Tigers are in the process of “making a fair deal” to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.
Richmond has a host of stars lined up for a new deal for 2023 and beyond.
Former skipper Trent Cotchin and veteran duo Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards are unrestricted free agents at the end of this season.
Dan Rioli, Jake Aarts, Marlion Pickett, Matt Parker, Maurice Rioli, Nathan Broad and Kane Lambert are all awaiting news of a new deal.
Prominent player manager Colin Young says West Coast should target Baker in an effort to refresh their roster.
“If you look at their list, you would love to have someone replace Brad Sheppard,” he said on SEN.
The gist of the West Coast list is good, if you’re a list manager, you’d be salivating at what you could do with that list.
“If you get (Melbourne’s Luke) Jackson, Baker and a few others…they’re back in the mix.”
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