Carlton has added more candidates to its coaching search, with three established assistants joining the mix.
A Victorian powerhouse has been revealed to be assessing Lachie Neale's future, and met with him weeks ago in a bid to lure him down south.
And plenty of contract updates.
All that and more from media buzz.
Carlton add trio to coaching hunt
The Blues will consider David Hale (Hawthorn), Hayden Skipworth (Collingwood) and Brett Montgomery (GWS) for the vacant coaching job among six names listed last week.
The trio join the likes of Jaymie Graham (Fremantle), James Kelly (Geelong), James Rahilly (Geelong), Daniel Giansiracusa (Hawthorn), Brendon Lade (Bulldogs) and Corey Enright (St Kilda).
A few more names to add to Carlton's coaching hunt 👀
- David Hale (Hawthorn)
- Hayden Skipworth (Collingwood)
- Brett Montgomery (GWS) https://t.co/QVud5ooYh5 pic.twitter.com/yKREpDd8Vc— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 1, 2026
Neale the Bomber?
Brisbane star Lachie Neale is understood to have met with sacked Essendon coach Brad Scott about the potential to cross to the Bombers at the end of the year.
Neale is weighing up his future at the Lions, and is poised to depart the club, with many sides chasing his signature.
Collingwood and St Kilda are leading the charge, with the former tipped to be the frontrunner. However, Essendon has emerged as a genuine option.
"Lachie Neale, before Brad Scott was sacked, met with the outgoing coach about a future at Essendon." 👀
Collingwood remains in the box seat, but St Kilda and Essendon have joined the conversation for Lachie Neale, per Mitch Cleary. pic.twitter.com/u502clMH7o
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 1, 2026
Tasmania coaching interviews begin
John Longmire. Ken Hinkley. Nathan Buckley.
All three have begun putting together their presentations, with Buckley set to face the Devils this week, according to AFL Media.
A report earlier in the week suggested Longmire and Hinkley were the leading candidates, despite the Collingwood great's long link to the club.
The Devils announced their coaching panel in June, which consists of chief executive Brendon Gale, president Grant O'Brien, football director Alastair Lynch and Lauren Jauncey, the club's general manager of people and culture.
All three have indicated their desire to return to the coaching caper, while Buckley has declared his interest in taking the Tasmania job. He's currently working as an assistant at Geelong.
Hinkley has had discussions with the Devils in recent weeks.
Carlton captain on future
Blues skipper Patrick Cripps wants to stay at the club, despite pundits suggesting he should be traded to help fast-track the rebuild.
"I'm contracted next year," Cripps told AFL Media.
"My drive to keep building the club up is still as high as it's ever been. The thing that gives you a lot of excitement at the moment is that there's a lot of young guys coming through our side that have high-level talent and they've got the right attitude. As you get older, that's the stuff that actually keeps you young and keeps you motivated.
"I'm really excited about what we're building right now, but also what the future does look like. The motivation is still there, which is the main thing as you get a bit older."
Brownlow Medallist set to continue
Port Adelaide's Ollie Wines is expected to play in 2027, despite battling injuries this year.
A new deal will put him in reach of 300 games. Coach Josh Carr said it will be up to Wines and his ability to deal with the rigours of AFL football if he were to go around again, which is looking more likely, according to AFL Media.
Impressive defender Josh Lai also penned a one-year extension, locking him away at the Power until the end of 2027. As did Harrison Ramm.
GWS table offer to forward
The Giants want Max Gruzewski, tabling a two-year deal.
GWS has also tabled a range of offers to Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan and Jake Riccardi.
The squeeze at the club could see some names seek a new home, with Greene linked to Geelong.
Froggy Lester hopping to another deal
Brisbane premiership player Ryan Lester is tipped to sign another one-year deal, extending his career until 2027.
Lester, according to The Agenda Setters, has the decision in his hands, with the Lions keen to keep him on their roster.
Speedy Blue set for new club
Carlton's Adam Saad is unlikely to be at Ikon Park next year after struggling to cement his spot in the senior side.
Saad, reported on The Agenda Setters, is expected to play on at another club, which is likely to be in Victoria.
He previously played for Gold Coast and Essendon.
Mitch and Tom hit the plasma (literally) for this week's edition of What's The Deal 👇
🛩️ Who is the most powerful person at Essendon..?
😬 A falling out has finally been confirmed
🦁 Another one-year deal for a favourite Lion
❌ Where to next for Adam Saad?
🍊 An update on T.… pic.twitter.com/vToH97mvTJ— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 1, 2026
