http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20487155-2722,00.html
TWO-TIME Essendon best-and-fairest winner Jason Johnson could walk away from Windy Hill if his dispute with the Bombers is not resolved.
Melbourne yesterday emerged as his potential new club after the Demons indicated their willingness to discuss the future of the 28-year-old midfielder.
It is believed the Demons not only have room to manoeuvre within their salary cap, but would be prepared to offer Johnson a contract for at least two years.
Johnson, who is out of contract, has only been offered a one-year deal by the Bombers which has caused friction between the player and club.
His manager Michael Quinlan sent Johnson's demands to Essendon on Tuesday, but is yet to hear from the club.
"He won't be signing a one-year deal, I can tell you that much," Quinlan said yesterday. "It's totally unacceptable.
"We put our position to the Bombers and we're waiting for their response.
"The key is the term in the deal we have sought from Essendon and I would have thought Bombers supporters would want him for at least two more seasons."
Quinlan denied he had given Essendon an ultimatum, but was adamant Johnson would not stay at Windy Hill unless he was offered a contract over a longer period.
"I'm not going to be drawn on the interest shown from other clubs at this stage," Quinlan said.
The Bombers have a number of players out of contract, including Dean Solomon, who has also been offered a one-year deal, Adam McPhee and Jason Laycock.
Essendon general manager of media Simon Matthews said yesterday the club was in negotiations with the management of Johnson, Solomon, McPhee and Laycock.
"They've all got offers from the club in front of them, but as a club policy, specifics are not anything we talk about," Matthews said.
A nagging pre-season injury severely restricted Johnson in the first half of the year but despite his sluggish start, he managed 19 games with his best performance coming in round 15 against St Kilda when he had 41 possessions.
The 2001 and 2005 best-and-fairest winner has played 170 games since making his debut in 1997.
Meanwhile, Carlton is confident of retaining its required players, including Brad Fisher and Bret Thornton, who are both out of contract.
Blues general manager of football operations Grant Williams said he expected the pair, and another 10 uncontracted players, to agree to terms in the near future.
Richmond confirmed its interest in Fremantle key-position player Graham Polak, but football director Greg Miller said the Tigers would not start to lobby for a trade until he had spoken to Polak, which he said was likely to happen within a week.
Polak, who has also been linked to the Western Bulldogs, played 11 games this season for a career tally of 73 in five years. But he played just once since round 13 and was overlooked in Fremantle's three finals appearances.
Richmond, which will add at least one additional assistant coach for next season, has interviewed Craig McRae, the recently retired Blake Caracella, who played under Kevin Sheedy, Leigh Matthews and Mick Malthouse, and Ashley Prescott, who has been coaching Claremont in the WAFL in recent seasons after a playing career with Richmond and Fremantle.
Adelaide will start 2007 with a completely new ruck division than the one it finished with in 2006.
Rhett Biglands will miss next year after last night undergoing a reconstruction to his left knee after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament early against West Coast last Saturday.
And veteran big man Matthew Clarke is expected to announce his retirement after 14 seasons with Brisbane and the Crows.
TWO-TIME Essendon best-and-fairest winner Jason Johnson could walk away from Windy Hill if his dispute with the Bombers is not resolved.
Melbourne yesterday emerged as his potential new club after the Demons indicated their willingness to discuss the future of the 28-year-old midfielder.
It is believed the Demons not only have room to manoeuvre within their salary cap, but would be prepared to offer Johnson a contract for at least two years.
Johnson, who is out of contract, has only been offered a one-year deal by the Bombers which has caused friction between the player and club.
His manager Michael Quinlan sent Johnson's demands to Essendon on Tuesday, but is yet to hear from the club.
"He won't be signing a one-year deal, I can tell you that much," Quinlan said yesterday. "It's totally unacceptable.
"We put our position to the Bombers and we're waiting for their response.
"The key is the term in the deal we have sought from Essendon and I would have thought Bombers supporters would want him for at least two more seasons."
Quinlan denied he had given Essendon an ultimatum, but was adamant Johnson would not stay at Windy Hill unless he was offered a contract over a longer period.
"I'm not going to be drawn on the interest shown from other clubs at this stage," Quinlan said.
The Bombers have a number of players out of contract, including Dean Solomon, who has also been offered a one-year deal, Adam McPhee and Jason Laycock.
Essendon general manager of media Simon Matthews said yesterday the club was in negotiations with the management of Johnson, Solomon, McPhee and Laycock.
"They've all got offers from the club in front of them, but as a club policy, specifics are not anything we talk about," Matthews said.
A nagging pre-season injury severely restricted Johnson in the first half of the year but despite his sluggish start, he managed 19 games with his best performance coming in round 15 against St Kilda when he had 41 possessions.
The 2001 and 2005 best-and-fairest winner has played 170 games since making his debut in 1997.
Meanwhile, Carlton is confident of retaining its required players, including Brad Fisher and Bret Thornton, who are both out of contract.
Blues general manager of football operations Grant Williams said he expected the pair, and another 10 uncontracted players, to agree to terms in the near future.
Richmond confirmed its interest in Fremantle key-position player Graham Polak, but football director Greg Miller said the Tigers would not start to lobby for a trade until he had spoken to Polak, which he said was likely to happen within a week.
Polak, who has also been linked to the Western Bulldogs, played 11 games this season for a career tally of 73 in five years. But he played just once since round 13 and was overlooked in Fremantle's three finals appearances.
Richmond, which will add at least one additional assistant coach for next season, has interviewed Craig McRae, the recently retired Blake Caracella, who played under Kevin Sheedy, Leigh Matthews and Mick Malthouse, and Ashley Prescott, who has been coaching Claremont in the WAFL in recent seasons after a playing career with Richmond and Fremantle.
Adelaide will start 2007 with a completely new ruck division than the one it finished with in 2006.
Rhett Biglands will miss next year after last night undergoing a reconstruction to his left knee after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament early against West Coast last Saturday.
And veteran big man Matthew Clarke is expected to announce his retirement after 14 seasons with Brisbane and the Crows.
