AFL trade news: Sydney re-signs four stars, Ivan Soldo recommits to Richmond, Josh Jenkins announces retirement

Hayden McLean, Dylan Stephens, Robbie Fox and Will Gould have all recommitted to Sydney in a major day of re-signings for the club.

Tall forward McLean and midfielder Stephens have signed on for the next two seasons, while Fox and Gould, both of whom play in the backline, have inked one-year extensions.

“We are excited to have these players commit to our program,” said Sydney’s executive general manager of football, Charlie Gardiner.

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“We are confident in the direction our young group is heading and believe that all four players can play important roles for the club going forward.”

The quartet has played a total of 90 senior games, with Gould the only one not to have made his AFL debut already.

McLean in particular is a major re-signing for the club – the 22-year-old booted 11 goals across 12 games this season.

He and Fox, another strong contributor for the Swans in 2021, both played in the elimination final loss to the Giants.

“Hayden joined us as a supplemental draft selection and Robbie as a 23-year-old rookie from the VFL, so it is testament to their hard work that they have been able to make their mark at senior level,” Gardiner said.

“Dylan and Will were our first two selections in the 2019 draft and both players have been working hard to get their opportunities at senior level.

“With another pre-season under their belt, we expect to see both players knocking down the door for regular senior selection in 2022 and beyond.”

Elsewhere, Richmond has secured Ivan Soldo’s services for another three seasons.

The 204cm-tall ruckman was a part of the Tigers’ grand final winning side in 2019 and has made a total of 36 AFL appearances since debuting in 2017.

A knee injury kept Soldo out of the Tigers’ 2021 campaign but the 25-year-old should be available for selection come round one of next season.

“Across more than seven years at Richmond, Ivan has shown an outstanding work ethic and willingness to improve his game,” said Richmond’s general manager of football talent, Blair Hartley.

“His knee injury late last year was very unfortunate, but he has worked hard throughout this season to put himself in a position to return strongly in 2022.

“Ivan is a key member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next year.”

Geelong forward Josh Jenkins chose to hang up the boots on Friday after 149 senior appearances.

Jenkins made his AFL debut with Adelaide in 2012 and played in the side’s 2017 grand final loss. He was an All-Australian nominee in 2016 and the Crows’ most prolific goal kicker two seasons later but struggled to break into the senior side upon migrating to Geelong last year.

He made two AFL appearances across two seasons and leaves Kardinia Park on the same day as delisted players Ben Jarvis and Cam Taheny, as well as assistant coach Corey Enright, who has taken up an opportunity with St Kilda.

Enright, a triple premiership player at Geelong, will mentor the Saints’ defenders after five years on the Cats’ coaching staff.

“I am so thankful to have had such a great experience with the club,” Enright said.

“While it’s always hard to say goodbye, I am excited by the challenge that lies ahead. My family have always been so supportive and I thank them for allowing me to grow my experience as a coach.”

Carlton’s busy week of re-signings has continued, with the club locking former number 17 draft pick Brodie Kemp down for another two seasons.

Kemp joins Nic Newman, Marc Pittonet and Ed Curnow in recommitting to Carlton this week.

The 20-year-old will hope to add to his tally of two senior games under a new senior coach at Ikon Park next year.

Greater Western Sydney has announced that neither Nick Shipley nor Tom Hutchesson will be at the club next season.

Shipley, who played six senior games for the club, holds the distinction of being the first player from Western Sydney to debut after graduating from the Giants’ Academy.

Hutchesson played one game for the club in 2020 but fell victim to hamstring issues this year.

The Giants chose not to offer the pair new deals and thanked them for their contributions to the club.

“Nick is a great example of someone who tried Australian football purely as a result of the existence of the Giants’ Academy in Western Sydney,” McCartney said.

“He should be really proud of being the first AFL player to come out of the Giants’ Western Sydney Academy and what he’s achieved over the past five seasons.

“Tom hasn’t had much luck with injuries across his two years with the club but his work ethic and the energy he brought to the group was a great asset.

“We wish both Nick and Tom well in their future endeavours.”

West Coast parted ways with three players of its own on Friday. Brayden Ainsworth, Ben Johnson and Will Collins will need to look elsewhere for contracts if they hope to keep their AFL careers alive.

Ainsworth was the only one of the three to have made the senior side in his time at the Eagles, managing 14 appearances since debuting in 2018.

“These decisions and conversations are always difficult, but we felt it important for the players to make the calls now, rather than leave them in limbo through the trade period,” said senior coach Adam Simpson.

“I would like to thank each of them for the contribution they made to the club, particularly ‘Bubba’ (Ainsworth), who has been here for the last four years.

“They are all good young men with plenty of football ahead of them and we wish them well for whatever is in front of them for the next phase of their lives.”