Tom Morris provides contract updates on Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Rowell, Darcy Cameron and more

Marcus Bontempelli is widely accepted to be the best player in the AFL, but why is he yet to re-sign with the Western Bulldogs, and if he does, how long will the deal be?

Matt Rowell is in the same boat at Gold Coast and has his own decision to make – could he and Bontempelli even become teammates in 2026?

From contract updates to some of the big stories of the week, Tom Morris has answered your questions ahead of round 11.

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How long will Bont re-sign for at the Bulldogs? Why has it taken so long? – via Andrew on Facebook

Tom Morris: It’s taken so long because Bontempelli had other priorities. He was injured, he was opening up a café, he always waits until midway or late in his contract year to extend – I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about. That’s just who he is.

He’s proven that it’s not affecting the way he plays at all. How long he’ll sign for is a fascinating one. I would find it hard to think he would sign for any less than four years.

If he wanted to, he could sign for more, but traditionally he hasn’t wanted to sign long term deals so I don’t know why he would break that cycle now at the age of 29.

Will Matt Rowell re-sign with the Suns with their on-field success? – via Alex on Facebook

TM: I’m saying a tentative yes, he will re-sign. Matt Rowell is yet to tell the Suns internally that he wants to stay and until he does that, you can never be 100 per cent sure.

He wanted to see improvement. He’s the sort of character that just wants to play footy and deals with each week as it comes, which is why the bye period is massive because it will allow him time to consider what his future looks like beyond this year.

I still think the most likely scenario is he signs a two-year deal at the Suns worth around $2.5 million across the life of the deal and then he’s a free agent at the end of 2027 and he can do what he wants.

If he does leave, which I think is unlikely, I still think the Western Bulldogs and Essendon are leading in that race. All clubs are on hold because he’s just deciding to play football at the moment.

What is the likelihood of a Darcy Cameron to West Coast trade and what would they have to give up in return? – via Matthew on Facebook

TM: I think they would have to give up a fair bit to get him. I know that there is a lot of talk around Darcy Cameron going, but people need to remember that he is contracted for 2026 and Collingwood is in the premiership window.

So if Collingwood is going to allow a contracted ruck who finished second in last year’s best and fairest to walk, they’re going to have to know they can get a ruck from somewhere else.

It’s not as simple as if Cameron wants to go, he’ll go. I still think he’ll stay and I do know that Collingwood is trying to extend him and give him the money that he deserves because there is broad acknowledgment from both the club and his management that he’s not being paid what he is worth at the moment because he signed a deal when he was the second banana.

Will the AFL actively seek to introduce a mental health round? – via Sarah on Facebook

TM: My belief is they won’t, no. I think the AFL wants to keep investing in mental health via the AFL Player’s Association and welfare officers in clubs, but as far as I know, and all of the people I’ve spoken to around the situation, there’s no current appetite to have a specific mental health round.

I interviewed (Outgoing AFLPA president) Patrick Dangerfield the other day and asked him and he was non-committal on it as well.

So while there are calls for it, I don’t think they’re as widespread as perhaps what we thought earlier in the week.

Will James Hird coach Essendon again? – via Matthew on Facebook

TM: I would say no. My opinion is, I would love James Hird to coach AFL football again.

I don’t think going back to the well at Essendon is the way forward, but if a job opened up elsewhere, having worked with him closely, having seen how intelligent, well-researched, hard working, clear thinking he is, I think he would be a great fit for another club.

But given Brad Scott is extended and they’re all-in on that stability, I don’t think there’s an avenue for Hird back to Essendon. I hope there’s an avenue somewhere else.

Should the AFL introduce compensation picks for forced concussion retirements? – via Richard on Facebook

TM: It’s a good question. I’m going to say no. As difficult as concussion is for the player and as unlucky as it is for the club, injury is still unfortunately part of the game.

There are players whose careers end for other injuries as well and the draft is already far too compromised in my mind. I would say no to adding further compensation picks.

Tom De Koning to St Kilda means Rowan Marshall plays for who in 2026? – via WWOS team

TM: I think Geelong, if it’s not St Kilda. Geelong is looking for a ruck, I know they like Rowan Marshall, the sticking point with Marshall is how much will St Kilda ask for via a trade.

They don’t need to get the money off their books because they’ve got an exceedingly large salary cap void, even if they bring De Koning in.

What is a 30-year-old ruckman with two years on his deal worth? It’s a really hard question to answer. I think the only way this gets done, if De Koning comes in, is if Marshall pushes to get out. And I’m not sure that’s going to happen.

But if I had to pick one team, it would be Geelong. It won’t be Carlton, they’d have to give up the compensation pick, which wouldn’t happen. I don’t think it’ll be Adelaide.

Will Cricket Australia and the AFL come to blows over the Tassie stadium roof? – via WWOS team

TM: No, they won’t. The AFL is very clear. If the stadium doesn’t have a roof, there won’t be a team. It is in the contract which has been signed. It was the only way it was going to be approved by the 18 club presidents.

If they suddenly decide to not have a roof, the AFL will just walk away. It’s as simple as that. So there’s not going to be any argument.

Luke Jackson says he’s staying with Freo, but have we lost faith in player statements after Barrass and Houston last year? – via WWOS team

TM: I don’t want to be cynical, but I lost faith in these types of comments many, many years ago. This is not a criticism of players, they need to say what they need to say to get through the next few weeks and months but I would not listen to players or coaches on trades beyond that.

I’m not saying Luke Jackson is definitely going by the way, but there’s more to this than what Fremantle is letting on publicly. But that’s what every club would do in the same situation.

How can Hawthorn afford to target guys like Reid and Butters given the stars on their list and rising youngsters? – via WWOS team

TM: When you have a club that has a really considered list build, it means they have a really clear list management strategy. It wouldn’t surprise me if they front-ended a lot of these contracts so they can have space when they’re starting to contend from this year onwards.

In saying that, I would be extremely surprised if Hawthorn was offering to pay Harley Reid anywhere near what other clubs are offering. For example, I don’t think Hawthorn is willing to give up $2m a year for Harley Reid.

I think they’ll sell him the dream of coming to a club that is historically successful and in the premiership window, playing under Sam Mitchell, playing with an exciting team, I don’t think money will be what Hawthorn uses as leverage to lure Reid.