Geelong look set to be in a battle to retain the services of livewire small forward Tyson Stengle, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The 2022 All-Australian has reportedly attracted the attention of a handful of rival clubs who are expected to try and pry him from the Cats.
Stengle has returned to his best form in 2024 having kicked 27 goals from 13 games, including multiple goals on nine different occasions and two bags of four goals.
He has kicked a goal in each of his past dozen matches and also recorded 78 score involvements across the season, which places him inside the top-25 players in the AFL.
9News' Tom Morris reported with long-time mentor Eddie Betts no longer at Geelong, Stengle could go to the highest bidder.
"A lot gets written about him, I think it's worth noting a big part of the reason why he went to Geelong was because of Eddie Betts," Morris said.
"Eddie Betts is no longer at Geelong and as it sits right now, I think Stengle is going to the highest bidder at a Melbourne-based club, whoever that is – that's how it's looking at this stage."
Stengle was a former teammate of Betts at the Crows, where he spent two seasons and played 14 games across 2019 and 2020.
After being let go by the Crows prior to the 2021 season, Stengle produced stunning football at SANFL level for his junior club Woodville West Torrens and earned an AFL reprieve by the Cats in 2022.
Since returning to the elite level, Stengle has been a revelation, most notably in 2022 where he kicked 53 goals, claimed All-Australian honours and was a member of Geelong's premiership team.
Herald Sun reporter Scott Gullan believes Stengle could receive offers by rival clubs in the vicinity of $800,000.
"There's been offers being floated as $800,000, maybe more, to get him out of the Cattery," Gullan said on Fox Footy.
"Essendon and St Kilda (are interested) and there's a few other clubs watching from a distance.
"He's 25 and looking for the big lifetime deal.
"The issue is Geelong isn't going to be able to get near $800,000, they might get to $600,000."
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes said on SEN he would like to see Stengle remain at the Cats.
"There needs to be some loyalty in the Stengle camp towards Geelong." Cornes said.
"Now there's a balance, of course, I'm not suggesting that Stengle stays at Geelong for $400,000 (if) the Saints are offering him $850,000 – that is too big a gap and I can understand why he would leave at that rate.
"But I think you have to factor in – and I don't think the gulf (in contract sizes) will be that big – what the Geelong Football Club has done for Tyson Stengle."
