AFL Trade Whispers: Pies Star Hints at New Deal; Blue Responds to Rival Offer

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STAR FREE AGENT ‘NOT READING INTO’ $12M TALK

Star Carlton ruck Tom De Koning insists his immediate focus is on helping his team achieve on-field success, not his footy future, amid reports of significant interest from rival clubs.

De Koning, 25, is one of this year’s most high-profile free agents. It comes two years after he turned down significant offers from opposition teams, such as the Saints, Cats and Swans, to remain at Carlton.

But it’s been suggested De Koning, this time, would have to turn down a significant amount of money to recommit to the Blues, with SEN last week reporting St Kilda is prepared to offer him a contract worth $12 million over seven seasons – a deal that would make De Koning the highest-paid player in the competition.

“I love Carlton. It’s a group I’ve grown up playing with, I’ve been here since I got drafted and I feel like I’ve played a lot of footy with the boys now and we’re really building that connection,” De Koning told 9 News Melbourne.

“There’s a lot of talk, but it’s probably good not to read into it. I don’t read into that sort of stuff. I leave that to my manager.”

In a separate interview with AFL Media, De Koning said: “It’s between my manager and the club and at the moment I’m just trying to focus on my role for the team and doing what I can to help the team.”

Blues coach Michael Voss said his club was confident De Koning would recommit to them, despite the ruck indicating there’s no rush to sign a new contract.

“He’s certainly very happy,” Voss told AFL Media. “He thrives in our environment and I think that’s all we can do as a footy club is provide the best environment we possibly can and hopefully he chooses us.

“But when you can look at a player and they look happy and they like where they are, I reckon it tells you a lot. He looks like that. He looks like a player playing with great energy, he looks like he’s playing really free.”

‘THERE BETTER BE!’: STAR’S CHEEKY RESPONSE AS NEW PIES DEAL LOOMS

All-Australian defender Brayden Maynard has hinted a fresh Collingwood contract extension isn’t far away, saying “it’d be weird to have any other jumper on”.

The 28-year-old, who’s approaching his 11th season at the Magpies, is one of the big-name players eligible for free agency at season’s end.

It emerged during last year’s trade period that North Melbourne made inquiries around the playing future of Maynard, who promptly and politely declined the club’s approach.

And amid speculation the Kangaroos could make another play for him, Maynard on Tuesday suggested talks regarding an extension at the Pies had already ramped up.

“The conversations have been had. We’re in a good spot at the moment and I feel like we’re going to be able to get that (new contract) done soon,” Maynard told reporters at Collingwood’s community camp in Gippsland.

“We’ll leave that to my management and the club to get done, but I don’t think there’s any worry there.”

Maynard’s physicality, versatility and finals experience reportedly appealed to the Roos, who made no secret last off-season of sourcing established talent.

But the premiership Magpie said he isn’t entertaining the prospect of joining a rival club for now, despite the fact he’d attract strong attention.

“It’d be weird to have any other jumper on, that’s for sure,” Maynard said. “But it is business, it is a game, some things do happen. But I think where my position sits now at the club is a pretty comfortable one.

“I’ve had a few conversations along the way with family and friends and the club and my management. I think we’ll be close to getting a deal done, but in saying that it is a business, so who knows what will happen? But I think we’re going in the right direction.”

As well as retaining Maynard, the Magpies loaded up at last year’s trade period, acquiring dual All-Australian Dan Houston from Port Adelaide and Giants free agent Harry Perryman, with both deals reportedly worth over $800,000 per year.

Asked if there’d be any money left for him – given Collingwood’s already-stacked list and recent acquisitions – Maynard cheekily replied: “There better be!”