Trade Whispers: Blues urged to stand firm on Cripps deal, young Bomber’s big offer

Fresh off his AFL debut, a young Bomber is being tempted with a big-money offer from a rival club.

Plus the Blues’ win over Essendon was a notable one when considering the implications for a star forward.

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BLUES HOLD POWER IN CRIPPS CONTRACT CALL

The continued improvement of Sam Walsh has seen him overtake Patrick Cripps as the most influential midfielder at the club – and could give the Blues more leverage in contract negotiations with the co-captain.

Cripps and Harry McKay loom as the two big out-of-contract names the Blues are looking to re-sign beyond 2021.

While Cripps’ signature is one the club is hoping to secure, his slump in form in recent times, coupled with the spike in Walsh’s, makes for an interesting contract negotiation.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, foxfooty.com.au senior reporter Tom Morris said the change in midfield dynamic meant the Blues could afford to be more firm in what they’re willing to offer the 26-year-old.

“I don’t think that Carlton should be paying huge money to keep someone who is not their best midfielder anymore. Sam Walsh is their best midfielder, he’s out of contract at the end of next year. By then he could easily be a million-dollar player, five or six years at a million dollars a year by the end of next year,” he said.

“Paddy Cripps, he’s still an extremely good player, but I don’t think he’s getting any better. I don’t think he’s gonna be better when he’s 28 than when he was 26.

“I’m not saying trade him, I’m saying if Paddy Cripps is umming and ahing whether to go (and asking for more money), Carlton shouldn’t bend over for him. That’s fine if you want to go that’s all good. And then in return trying to get from Fremantle Pick 13 and see if Adam Cerra is available.”

Morris stressed the ideal situation would see Cripps re-sign with the Blues and continue to lead the club forward.

“If he‘s saying ‘Do I want to stay, what do I want to do, do I want more money’, this could actually suit both parties. Paddy you can go to Freo on some more money, you go home and we can get something in return.

“I’m not pushing him out the door. Ideal scenario, Cripps stays. But if it’s in limbo I don’t think it’s the worst result to say lets get Cerra, lets get Pick 13.”

YOUNG BOMBER ON RIVAL RADAR

Fresh off his AFL debut, 19-year-old Essendon ruckman Nick Bryan could be looking at a big money deal that could see a rival club prise him out of the Bombers.

Bryan made his senior debut against Carlton on Sunday after being taken with Pick 38 in the 2019 draft, having spent 2020 honing his craft and spending time in defence as well as the ruck.

It was Essendon’s sixth debutant in seven rounds so far this season, but there could be a play for the young gun by the Gold Coast Suns.

“I heard a whisper that maybe the Suns have thrown a bit of cash at Nick Bryan, who played his first game for Essendon today, a little bit like St Kilda did with Sam Draper a couple of years ago,” David King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

“Offer $300-400,000 a year and try and lure him out before he becomes a name – I’ve heard a three-year deal at about $400,000 a year.”

Foxfooty.com.au understands Essendon have offered Bryan a two-year deal on less money than Gold Coast.

Montagna wants captain’s challenge | 02:44

BLUES FORM KEY TO SPEARHEAD’S CONTRACT TALKS

Carlton’s win over Essendon on Sunday was important on the field, but could also have significance off it, with the length of spearhead Harry McKay’s next deal reportedly dependent on how well the Blues play in May.

McKay and Patrick Cripps loom as the club’s two biggest re-signings, with both out of contract at year’s end.

At just 23 years of age, McKay continues to improve, kicking 26 goals from his opening seven rounds to start the year and putting himself into genuine Coleman Medal contention.

SEN reporter Sam Edmund says the length of McKay’s next deal, should he re-sign with the club, is likely to be decided by Carlton’s immediate form over the next month.

Having defeated Essendon, Carlton face a sizeable challenge over the next fortnight, facing the top two teams on the ladder in Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

Matches against Hawthorn, Sydney and West Coast follow – the Blues currently sit a game and percentage out of the top eight.