Essendon is seemingly preparing for life after Zach Merrett.
St Kilda is becoming increasingly confident in retaining a star, and it's not Darcy Wilson.
And the Tigers have placed a target on a new fitness boss... at a rival club.
All that and more from media buzz...
Move over Merrett, Sparrow is the way
Essendon has Melbourne hard-nut Tom Sparrow on its radar as the club looks to life after Zach Merrett.
Sparrow is an unrestricted free agent, and is yet to extend with the Demons, despite the club listing him as one of their priorities.
The South Australian has garnered interest from Port Adelaide and Adelaide, with the latter expected to ramp up its chase given the likelihood Brisbane star Zac Bailey is staying put.
According to the Herald Sun, Sparrow is deemed a replacement for Merrett, and could be the same for Butters at the Power.
Veteran Pie weighs in on contract
Collingwood forward Tim Membrey says his future will be determined towards the end of the year, but is okay with not being a priority of the clubs.
Membrey is one of many veterans without a deal for 2027, and provided an update where things sit.
“It's chipping away in the background,” Membrey told Code Sports.
“I know there's a reality of you get to a certain age bracket. I mean, I'm not an important one. There's other guys that are out of contract … they're going to be the ones that they want to get done. And then when the time's right, we'll speak to the club and see where things are at.
“I just love competing. There's no better job than just that two hours competing at the highest level and going up against some quality opposition. I've still got that desire to compete.”
Tall Saint expected to stay in Moorabbin
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall was tipped to look for a trade once again after his failed move at the end of last year.
But, according to the Agenda Setters, the Saints are increasingly confident he is likely to stay in Moorabbin.
Geelong was interested last year, and is tipped to be pursuing the ruck given their desperate need to fill the role.
"My understanding is that at the start of the year they thought he (Rowan Marshall) would have another crack at leaving, but St Kilda are now really hopeful they're going to keep him."
🗣️ Caroline Wilson on Rowan Marshall's future pic.twitter.com/H6p6BuWQpn
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 13, 2026
Former Power coach gives future verdict on star forward
Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has responded to reports Mitch Georgiades is set to sign an extension with the club despite interest from his home state, Western Australia.
On Adelaide radio, it was reported Georgiades will extend beyond 2027, which Hinkley believes isn't a lock, but "trending in the right direction".
"I think it's trending in the right direction for Port but the reports today may have been a bit strong," he said on SEN.
"He is a special player."
Tigers targeting rivals fitness boss
Richmond is on the hunt for a new high-performance manager following the departure of Ben Serpell last week, and is eyeing Melbourne's Selwyn Griffith.
The Tigers will be looking to right many injury wrongs, using 40 players on its list last year, and has hit 39 so far in 2026.
Griffith, who was previously at Brisbane, has been with the Demons for the past six years, and is contracted until the end of 2027, reported by the Agenda Setters.
The Tigers have their eyes on Melbourne's fitness boss, per Tom Morris 👀 pic.twitter.com/pGHaHo8iO0
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 13, 2026
