New club joins race for $3 million free agent as favourite emerges: AFL trade news

Free agency will open this Friday, with a trio of restricted free agents set to decide their future.

Adelaide free agent Tom Doedee is not in a rush to make a decision on his playing future, despite the fact that a growing number of clubs are interested in his services.

Doedee, a restricted free agent, has been linked to grand finalists Brisbane and Collingwood, with his stint at West Lakes anticipated to come to an end after eight years.

Given his restricted status, the Crows will have the option of matching a rival’s bid for the 190cm defender, forcing the bidding club to arrange a trade deal to secure Doedee’s services.

Following their four-point grand final loss to Collingwood on Saturday, the Lions are aiming to reinforce their backline and maybe go one step further in 2024. Collingwood is thought to be interested in Doedee as a potential long-term replacement for veteran backman Jeremy Howe.

Sydney has joined the hunt for Doedee, according to 7 News Melbourne, as they try to fill a vacancy in their backline group following the retirement of Paddy McCartin.

Doedee, who recently returned from New South Wales’ capital, said he initially thought his future would be decided by now, but he doesn’t want to rush into a choice.

“If you had asked me two months ago, I would’ve thought it’d be done by now,” Doedee told reporters on Monday.

“There’s just so much to play out, and I’m not the type to make snap decisions.” Naturally, I’m a deep thinker and a conservative.

“So I want to think about it and make sure it’s the best decision for me, my family, and both parties involved.”

“There’s a lot to learn. It’s taking longer than expected, but we’re getting there.”

Brisbane are rumoured to have a five-year contract worth up to $3 million on offer for the 26-year-old, who is expected to choose the Lions over a return to his native state of Victoria.

The 2023 free agency window will open on Friday and will last one week, with North Melbourne’s Ben McKay and St Kilda’s Jade Gresham the only other restricted free agents yet to sign.

McKay has already been confirmed to leave the Kangaroos this off-season, with the key defender slated to join Essendon, while Gresham might potentially join him in a transfer to Tullamarine in the coming days.