Aaron vandenBerg is weighing up his future amid interest from Sydney.
It's understood the Melbourne hardnut was set to meet the Swans over the weekend after they enquired about the out-of-contract Demon.
The mature-age recruit from Canberra returned from a long injury lay-off late in the season to play the last seven games of Melbourne’s season, including all three of the club’s finals. He finished the season averaging just under 16 disposals and a little over three tackles per game.
Aaron vandenBerg in action
VandenBerg, 26, is believed to have a strong relationship with Demons coach Simon Goodwin, and Melbourne have indicated they want to keep the wingman, and are confident he will stay.
But football is not vandenBerg’s sole concern after a difficult year off-field, where he endured the sudden death of father Tony and then had to take up the running of his family’s business from afar.
Any offer from the Swans would be dependent on the results of a medical, given vandenBerg’s extensive injury history. He didn’t play for the best part of two years because of foot issues.
His agent Ryan Kogelman confirmed the Swans' interest.
“Melbourne have been very good to Aaron but as has been documented he’s had a very tough year with the sudden death of his father. He hasn’t requested a trade but needs to think through what is best for him and his family," Kogelman told The Age.
"There is still plenty of water to go under the bridge, Aaron is far from making any decision on his future and certainly hasn't requested a trade. He is simply taking some time to process things to make the right decision for him and his family."
He was recruited by the Demons from Ainslie with pick two of the 2015 rookie draft.
Melbourne delisted several players earlier in the week, including Tom Bugg and Cam Pedersen, while fringe forward Dean Kent is expected to join St Kilda on a three-year deal. The Demons are also bracing for star forward Jesse Hogan to request a trade back to Western Australia despite being under contract for next season.
The Dees are eyeing contracted Gold Coast co-captain Steven May and as have also shown interest in Sun Kade Kolodjashnij.
The Swans are expected to lose Dan Hannebery to the Saints and Gary Rohan to Geelong. Rohan is expected to fetch the Swans a draft pick or picks similar to the value the Cats gain for Lincoln McCarthy, who has requested a move to Brisbane.
Sydney have also been strongly linked to Hawthorn premiership player Taylor Duryea, while North Melbourne youngster Ryan Clarke toured the Swans’ facilities in recent days.
Source: Read Full Article