Ibbotson, Rosa in free agency ranks
West Coast wingman Matt Rosa and Fremantle defender Garrick Ibbotson loom as prime recruiting targets for Eastern States clubs after it was revealed both qualify for unrestricted free agency this year.
Rosa, 27, and Ibbotson, who turns 26 on Saturday, were on the official list of players eligible for free agency in 2014, released by the AFL yesterday.
While Ibbotson was widely expected to be a restricted free agent, given he will have served only eight years with the Dockers, his salary is not in the top 25 per cent at the club, meaning he will be free to move if he wishes.
The Docker has had mixed fortunes in the past two seasons under coach Ross Lyon, showing glimpses of All-Australian form after being dropped to the WAFL, but missing the club's historic grand final run last season with an Achilles injury. Carlton coach Mick Malthouse is a fan of Ibbotson.
Rosa joins Eagles teammates Dean Cox, Darren Glass and Sam Butler as unrestricted free agents, while Shannon Hurn is a restricted free agent.
If available at the end of the season, Hurn would clearly be the priority target among the group, however it is understood the 26-year-old has already told the Eagles he wants to stay in WA.
Cox and Glass are likely to either retire or commit to the club on new one-year contracts, while Butler is unlikely to attract much interest.
Fremantle's David Mundy is one of the highest-profile players on the restricted free agent list and would be highly sought after.
But at this stage he is expected to re-sign with the Dockers.
Luke McPharlin and Matthew Pavlich are the other two unrestricted free agents.
