GEELONG\u2019S Max Holmes is expected to attract plenty of interest from other clubs over the course of the next twelve to eighteenmonths.<\/p>\n
AFL Media reported on Thursday that the 20-year-old midfielder has \u201cbecome a target for rival clubs\u201d despite the fact he remains contracted with the Cats until the end of 2024.<\/p>\n
Kane Cornes said it\u2019s refreshing to see clubs attempt to prise good players out of Geelong, given their ability to lure recruits down the highway.<\/p>\n
Cornes also believes Holmes has the potential to be paid handsomely as an emerging player amid an aging midfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved reading the AFL.com.au report about Max Holmes,\u201d Cornes said on SEN\u2019s Sportsday. \u201cIt\u2019s about time someone targeted Geelong, to try and get some of Geelong\u2019s players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a club that would pay Max Holmes $800,000 a year, isn\u2019t there?<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t think he\u2019s on anywhere near that at Geelong because they don\u2019t pay that [sort of money].<\/p>\n
\u201cThis would be a blow if he chose to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
AFL Media\u2019s Josh Gabelich, who reported the news alongside Riley Beveridge, provided some insight into the Holmes situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cMax Holmes re-signed in July [2022] for two more years, but there are clubs just monitoring him,\u201d Gabelich said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCollingwood came after him last year, they tried to get him in the Ollie Henry trade. We know Ollie Henry ended up getting to Geelong in that three-way trade with Cooper Stephens and Tom Mitchell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are clubs just having a look because he did miss out on playing in that premiership last year after medically passing but not being given the football department tick of approval.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had a great season to date.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Cornes, the 43-game Holmes should hold off signing a new deal at Geelong as he could land a significant pay day either with the Cats or elsewhere.<\/p>\n
He believes there will be more cash available at Kardinia Park once the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins finish up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way they would trade him while he\u2019s still contracted,\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s one for this time next year and a watch on whether he re-signs. I don\u2019t think he should. I think he should run the gauntlet and back himself in to go again.<\/p>\n
\u201cDangerfield is older, [Jeremy] Cameron is coming to the end and [so is] Hawkins. There\u2019ll be money there at Geelong and he could be in for a huge pay day because there\u2019ll be a number of clubs that would love to get his attributes in their midfield.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holmes is averaging 18.7 disposals and 3.5 clearances in 2023, numbers that don\u2019t exactly stack up to $800,000 per year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what they would pay on potential. He\u2019s only 20 years of age,\u201d Cornes said.<\/p>\n
Gabelich agreed with those sentiments, adding that the Cats would see Holmes as a major player in what\u2019s ahead for the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to think about the age profile of their midfield with Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie, Mitch Duncan and Sam Menegola, all these types north of 30,\u201d Gabelich said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey could not afford lose him. I know they went and got Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes and Jhye Clark in the door, but Max Holmes is clearly a huge part of their future.\u201d<\/p>\n