West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers interest in Chad Warner, Bobby Hill, clubs interested in Elijah Tsatas, Collingwood signs Irish player, Finnbarr Roarty, latest news

The two Western Australian clubs are already eyeing a homegrown superstar set to come out of contract next year.

Plus clubs are circling an ex-Bomber and Collingwood has signed an Irish rookie. More in AFL Daily.

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WA CLUBS ALREADY EYE WARNER, EAGLES TO EXPLORE HILL

The two West Australian clubs will continue to circle homegrown superstar Chad Warner during the final season of his contract.

Warner, contracted for one more season at Sydney, has remained firmly on the Eagles’ radar since he was drafted in 2019.

The line-breaking Swan extended for two seasons in 2026, taking him to restricted free agency at the end of next year.

Warner and four Sydney teammates were suspended for this year’s finals campaign after breaching club standards. Nick Blakey was the only member of the ‘Pullman Five’ to depart the club for North Melbourne in the trade period.

There is also an ongoing sexual assault investigation from the same night at the East Melbourne Pullman Hotel in August.

The Eagles secured Melbourne premiership pair Jack Viney and Trent Rivers on AFL trade period deadline day.

Rivers, 25, and Warner played junior football together and were both drafted out of East Fremantle.

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West Coast Eagles list boss Matt Clarke said he would “continue to assess” Warner and his free agency status.

“I don’t know if we turn to it or if it’s always sort of been a part of it,” Clarke told AFL Trade Radio with a laugh.

“We’re always looking at those guys when they’re coming out of contract, free agents all over the place.

“Obviously, Chad is very happy with where he is in Sydney at the moment. We will continue to assess him.

“If there’s a link between Trent and Chad, that’s great. I am sure Chad will make up his mind as to what he wants to do.

“For the time being, we’re focused on what Trent and Jack Viney are going to bring to the footy club next year.”

The Eagles have a new recruiting tool in Rivers, who said he’s already reached out to good mate Warner about potentially joining forces.

“Actually, I gave ‘Chaddy’ a message last night and said: ‘Hey, in 12 months, I hope you’re locker buddies with me’,” Rivers said on SEN WA Breakfast.

“I’ve already put in some strides there, hopefully we can get him across.

“At the end of he day, he has a big decision to make and he’s going to do what’s best for him and his partner and the rest of his family.”

Clarke also said he would assess Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill after he and Collingwood parted ways.

Hill battled personal issues in his final two seasons at Olympic Park, playing just one game in the best part of 18 months.

The dynamic small forward, still just 26, is widely expected to return to his home state of Western Australia.

“I think anyone of that sort of talent, and proven talent as well on the biggest stage, you need to look at,” Clarke said.

“Like most clubs, I would’ve thought, you do your due diligence around Bobby and how he’s tracking.

“It would be great if he can get himself back into a great frame of mind, physical shape to give himself a shot back at AFL footy.

“He’ll be just another one of those guys we’ll assess for a potential position in that space.”

Viney, 32, will play two seasons with the Eagles before stepping into a coaching role for another two years.

Clarke said topping up experience was important after losing Jeremy McGovern and Jamie Cripps to medical retirements in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, Fremantle footy boss Joe Brierty said the Dockers would also be keen on Warner if he was looking return to his home state after a quiet trade period for the grand finalists.

“It’s our job as a list management team to make sure we’re prepared for those types of opportunities,” Brierty said on AFL Trade Radio.

“We’re looking towards next year, there’s obviously a number of players we think can continue provide value to our club. I’m sure Chad will be in those conversations with the other players to consider as well.

“It’s really important from our end that we set ourselves to be able to be a part of those conversations.

“Look, if Chad is looking to explore coming home, we’ll definitely engage in those discussions. But we’ll also be looking at a few other opportunities we can consider that will provide value to our list into the future.”

But Brierty said the club wouldn’t pursue Hill and “wish him all the best” in the ex-Magpie’s bid to find another AFL opportunity.

It came after the Dockers were largely inactive across the exchange window; they traded Nathan O’Driscoll to Richmond and signed former Bulldog Dominic Bedendo as a delisted free agent from VFL club Port Melbourne.

—With Tyler Lewis, NewsWire

CLUBS CIRCLING EX-BOMBER

Multiple clubs are exploring a potential lifeline for ex-Bomber Elijah Tsatas.

Seven’s Xander McGuire reports Tsatas’ AFL career “has a pulse,” with a few teams having inquired about the 21-year old following the trade period and “some confidence” he’ll be offered a 2027 list spot.

Clubs could sign Tsatas when delisted free agency opens next month.

The former No. 5 pick was let go by Essendon at the end of last season after just 22 games across four seasons.

He made only six appearances this season despite strong VFL form and the 18th-placed Bombers’ struggles.

PIES SIGN IRISH ROOKIE

Collingwood has signed Irish talent Finnbarr Roarty as a category B rookie on a two-year deal.

The 20-year old will depart Ireland for Australia at the end of the month after his last appearance for Gaelic side Naomh Conaill in Sunday’s Donegal SFC final against St Eunan’s.

Roarty would follow in the footsteps of the likes of Martin Clarke and Mark Keane as previous Irishman to don the black and white stripes.

He’d join the AFL’s growing current Irish cohort including Adelaide’s Keane, Hawthorns Connor Nash, GWS’ Callum Brown, Brisbane’s Conor McKenna and Cats duo Oisín Mullin and Mark O’Connor.

Roarty was one of the most promising Gaelic players, having won the 2025 Young Footballer of the Year for Donegal.