St Kilda are targeting Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy as a free agency addition according to AFL Media’s Damian Barrett.
Cordy, an unrestricted free agent, has played 118 games for the Bulldogs including 14 in the 2022 season.
Having missed out on securing the services of Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, Barrett says the Saints have turned their sights to the 2016 premiership player.
“We saw St Kilda miss out last week, and it was probably always heading that way, with Jordan De Goey from the Collingwood Football Club and as such we’ve been figuring out what they’re going to do,” Barrett said on AFL Trade Radio.
“This player I’m about to mention is not a Jordan De Goey comparison, but it has emerged in this period that they’re after Zaine Cordy from the Western Bulldogs.
“He’s an unrestricted free agent, he’s played 118 games of footy, he’s played in two Grand Finals in his time in the 2016 premiership win and the 2021 Grand Final.
“He was in and out of the team this year, out of contract obviously as an unrestricted free agent and I can confirm there’s some Saints interest in him.”
Given that Cordy was more often than not a best 22 regular for Luke Beveridge, Stephen Silvagni understands why the Saints would target Cordy.
“I can (see why Cordy is a target), he’s a regular for the Bulldogs,” Silvagni said.
“I can see why the Saints are after a tall, they obviously lack a tall down back and even up forward.
“So, does that create a bit of flexibility with one of their other defenders that may be able to go forward to help Max King out?
“I can see why they’re doing it, I don’t know a lot about him but having said that, (being) a free agent gives them an opportunity if they do like him that they can get him through.”
Former North Melbourne coach David Noble added that a move for Cordy “makes a lot of sense” as St Kilda look to add depth to their key defensive stocks.
“It certainly fits their profile,” Noble said.
“Front end support for Max (King), another key defender and midfield are the areas they’ve got to attack in the next couple of years.
“I think he’s a steady, reliable defender that you put in your team that gets the job done.
“It’s what a lot of clubs look for in the back end, so it makes a lot of sense.”
Bulldogs list boss Sam Power says the club is in “constant dialogue” with Cordy as he weighs up his free agency decision.