An out-of-favour Hawthorn forward has met with a rival club.
The AFL has sounded out a former club president for a potential chairmanship amid the Geelong concussion saga.
Essendon's coaching announcement set for next week points to one candidate.
All that and more from media buzz...
Dear the Demon?
Hawthorn youngster Calsher Dear is understood to have met with Melbourne as he weighs up his future beyond this year.
Dear is being chased by five clubs, with the Demons the most keen for his services.
The Demons, along with Collingwood, St Kilda, Geelong and Carlton, have been linked to the 21-year-old as he weighs up a two-year offer from the brown and gold.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell is still keen to keep the father-son prospect.
"I saw him in a Melbourne jumper. That made me feel a bit uncomfortable, I must admit," Mitchell said on SEN last week.
The interest comes as Hawthorn is set to welcome Gold Coast free agent Ben King.
Pair of clubs circling veteran Pie
Gold Coast and Essendon are understood to be sniffing around Scott Pendlebury as he weighs up his future.
There's little doubt that Pendlebury will join the coaching ranks at some stage once his playing career comes to an end.
There's belief the V/AFL games record holder wants to play next year.
But the Suns and Bombers would have plans to keep Pendlebury on their rosters in a view of the future.
Essendon AND Gold Coast "sniffing around" Scott Pendlebury 👀
The Collingwood legend wants to continue into 2027, which has other clubs flagging their interest. #MidweekTackle pic.twitter.com/Pdmb6ZiHgG
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 11, 2026
Dockers captain tells Tassie 'no'
Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce has informed his club he won't be taking up Tasmania's interest in becoming the Devils' inaugural captain.
Pearce has made clear that he wants to remain in Perth, according to the Herald Sun.
His current contract expires at the end of next year.
AFL send SOS to former Pies boss
Eddie McGuire has been sounded out by the AFL about the chairmanship as the Geelong concussion saga unfolds, which involves the recently appointed Craig Drummond.
Drummond was at the Cats during the time, and joined the chair this year, replacing Richard Goyder.
McGuire was Collingwood president for over two decades and has held prominent media roles throughout his career.
Hirdy: "Have you been asked by anyone in the AFL ecosystem about being interested in the chairmanship?"
Eddie: "...Yes I have."AFL Chairman Eddie McGuire? 👀 #9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/we56Yrrqjr
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 11, 2026
McVeigh the man
Essendon is believed to make an announcement next week to unveil its next senior coach.
James Hird, Mark McVeigh, Murray Davis and Jaymie Graham are the remaining candidates, but given the delay in the reveal, The Agenda Setters believes that it is leaning towards announcing McVeigh.
The Bombers take on Sydney this week, who McVeigh works for, and once they play in Round 23, he'll be appointed.
"The fact that we're now hearing that Essendon might not make an announcement about their new coach until next week is perhaps another pointer to the fact that it is going to go to Mark McVeigh."
🗣️ Caroline Wilson on Essendon's coaching announcement pic.twitter.com/zJqMskmaFX
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 11, 2026

























