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AFL stars Shiel, Gaff undecided on futures

Player manager Paul Connors says he wouldn't be surprised if GWS star Dylan Shiel decides to seek a trade to a Victorian club.

Dylan Shiel
GWS onballer Dylan Shiel could be heading to a Victorian club to further his AFL career. (AAP)

Dylan Shiel's AFL future is a 50-50 call as the GWS star weighs up whether to stay or seek a trade to a Victorian club.

Player manager Paul Connors said West Coast midfield ace Andrew Gaff is also yet to decide where he will be next season.

Mitch McGovern also wants to leave Adelaide, with his manager Colin Young saying Carlton, the WA clubs and another unnamed Victorian team are in the running for the defender's signature.

Young blamed Adelaide's "rollercoaster" season for McGovern deciding he wanted out.

If Shiel and Gaff decide it is time to go, they will join McGovern, Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch and Sydney premiership star Dan Hannebery as big names who will dominate next month's trade period.

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Lynch and Hannebery fronted the media on Wednesday morning, with the Suns key forward declining to confirm that he wants to join Richmond.

Lynch said he would not nominate his chosen club until the season is over, but rival suitors Collingwood and Hawthorn are understood to have been told they are out of the running..

Hannebery confirmed that he wants to join St Kilda and said the struggling club is in better shape than it appears.

Also on Wednesday, the Western Bulldogs announced that midfielder Mitch Wallis had re-signed for three years.

Like Wallis and Gaff, Wallis was becoming eligible for free agency.

"There was never any question about my commitment to the club or my desire to remain here," Wallis said.

"We're a young side showing some really positive signs."

Shiel is contracted to GWS for another season and Connors is unsure what call he will make.

"There are possibilities in Melbourne. That will play out over the next couple of weeks," he said

"I won't be surprised if he stays, because of this bond between the players and what they have there."

Likewise, Gaff has a big decision to make in the wake of his season-ending suspension and his father's serious illness.

"Gaffy has had the perfect storm, in a way," Connors said.

"He's gone through the worst month of his life and right now, he's totally focused on helping his team.

McGovern is on the move only a year after re-signing with the Don Pyke-coached outfit.

"To Don's credit they had a fairly lengthy meeting and they both agreed Mitch probably wasn't the best fit for the Crows, so obviously his belief in where the club was going has waned."


3 min read

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Source: AAP



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