Geelong wingman Max Holmes is set to be one of the most sought-after players in the competition.
Entering the final year of his current contract, the 21-year-old is already garnering plenty of interest from rival teams, including powerhouse club Collingwood.
With reports suggesting Holmes could be worth a whopping $ 1 million per season from 2025,ย Channel 9's Tom Morris believes the hype around the youngster could reach astronomical heights.
"The noise around Max Holmes is only getting louder," Morris said on Wednesday night.
"Geelong has put forward a four-year deal which would take him to free agency, though there is also an option of two years.
"But if Holmes explores his options, two list officials said to me today he will command as much as $1 million per season and those deals would be a minimum of six years."
We're not even into round one of the season yet but there's already a trade update on five of the biggest names in the game. @tommorris32 #9News pic.twitter.com/dfUGvjFREo
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) March 13, 2024
Holmes is set to leave contract talks until later in the year, whilst the club will be looking to lock down the wingman as soon as possible given the imminent retirements of some of their stars.
Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, and Cameron Guthrie are all in their 30s and will open up a vacancy in the midfield.
Holmes is touted for that role, alongside youngsters Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes, and Jhye Clark, as the next wave toย take the reigns of Geelong.
The 21-year-old is confident that he'll remain at Kardinia Park but admits his focus is on Round 1.
"We've just got to sort it out, I guess," Holmes told reporters on Monday.
"It's up to Mack (Geelong footy boss Andrew Mackie) and my manager to sort it out.
"Then, when they're happy with it, I'll be happy with it, I guess"
"I don't really know much about what's going on. I just let my manager take the reins and I stick to playing footy, and I'm happy with that," Holmes said.
"At this stage, I'm more worried about round one than my contract.
"I'm still contracted for this year, so I'm just here to play footy, and I'll let my manager do the rest."
Holmes was the heartbreaking story of Geelong's 2022 premiership, having missed the grand final after suffering a hamstring injury.
