UPDATE: 25/10/13: Another Geelong premiership player is on the outer at the Cats with ruckman Trent West set to join the Brisbane Lions on the final day of the trade period.
The Lions are resigned to losing young ruckman Billy Longer to St Kilda for pick 25 and West will be the automatic replacement and will provide back-up for Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck next season.
According to The Age, Carlton is in the box seat to gain Sydney midfielder Andrejs Everitt, but Sydney remains an outside chance to hang on to him given it has offered him a revised contract.
Collingwood forward Jackson Paine is likely to be swapped for Brisbane’s Patrick Karnezis, while the Western Bulldogs have plucked a late surprise with Sam Darley likely to cross from Greater Western Sydney.
Darley will be a big coup for the Dogs.
St Kilda is hopeful of walking GWS defender Josh Bruce through to the pre-season draft with a deal unlikely to be made on the final day of trading.
UPDATE: 24/10/13: Carlton has joined the chase for Sydney’s Andrejs Everitt, who could be another victim of the Buddy Franklin salary cap squeeze at the Swans.
Although Sydney has recently made him an offer, The Age is reporting that offer had only come since Jed Lamb agreed to cross to GWS which has made more room to keep Everitt.
GWS and West Coast are also in the hunt for Everitt, who could play at his third AFL club since being drafted by the Western Bulldogs.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse reportedly met with Everitt on Wednesday.
Lamb will be traded today to GWS for pick 48. Carlton will also complete the trade for Brisbane’s Sam Docherty today for pick 33.
Essendon has said that it will definitely recruit delisted free agent Paul Chapman on November 1.
Chapman has agreed to terms with the Bombers on a one year deal with a trigger clause for a second.
The Bombers are also expected to take the deal offered by the Western Bulldogs for Stewart Crameri which is pick 26. Fremantle will snare Scott Gumbleton for pick 58.
UPDATE: 23/10/13: Essendon is set to snare Maverick Weller as a delisted free agent.
The former Gold Coast midfielder has attracted interest from several Melbourne-based clubs but Essendon appears to be the keenest.
Weller can still be plucked after the trade and free agency period ends on Friday.
The Western Bulldogs are still looking to satisfy Essendon’s demands of a second round draft pick for Stewart Crameri but are happy for him to walk for nothing in the pre-season draft.
Jed Lamb (Sydney) and Josh Hunt (ex-Geelong) are expected to land at the Giants by Friday.
Billy Longer appears set to be involved in the Jared Polec to Port Adelaide deal. The three way deal would mean Longer would head to the Saints, Polec to Port and Brisbane would receive picks 14 and 19 from Port and the Saints respectively.
Sam Docherty will become a Blue for selections pick 33 and a later selection.
UPDATE: 21/10/13: For the second straight year Collingwood is set scoop up a first round draft bonus after news emerged over the weekend that the Magpies are set to pull the trigger on a three-way trade that will net them the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft as well as Sydney Swan Jesse White
The deal will see Collingwood swap the picks 11 (received as compensation for the free agency loss of Dale Thomas) and 31 with West Coast. The Eagles will send pick 6 to the Magpies and pick 44 to Sydney with the Swans sending White to Collingwood.
The deal gives Collingwood two top ten selections in the 2013 National Draft with the sixth and tenth selections.
But Collingwood has more irons in the fire with a straight swap of Heath Shaw with GWS Giant Taylor Adams still being worked on as well as a bid for Brisbane Lions forward Patrick Karnezis.
GWS Giant Shaun Edwards is at the centre of a bidding war by Adelaide and Essendon with the Crows still hopeful that they can get a deal done. With the Kurt Tippett sanctions weighing heavily on the club with the draft looming picking up Edwards, who was taken as a 17-year-old by GWS as a Northern Territory zone selection in 2011, would help offset some of the pain of not having a draft pick until round three this year.
North Melbourne defender Luke Delaney is set to join St Kilda this week. St Kilda’s list manager, Ameet Bains, was on SEN radio this morning saying that they had a “really strong discussion” with North Melbourne yesterday with a deal potentially coming through as early as today.
UPDATE: 20/10/13: St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney are no closer to resolving the Josh Bruce deal with the Saints reportedly taking Sam Fisher off the trade table.
Fisher was linked to the Giants before the trade period began and looked a sure thing.
The Saints are offering only pick 41 and aren’t prepared to give up one of their five picks in the top 25 of this year’s draft.
West Coast is expected to snare Brisbane’s Elliot Yeo for pick 31 on Monday.
While Jesse White and pick six is likely to head to Collingwood in a three way deal which will see West Coast get picks 11 and 31 and the Swans will get pick 44.
Sydney is aware that it needs offload White because of salary cap issues.
St Kilda remains interested in Sydney’s Andrejs Everitt. And Billy Longer appears destined to become a Saint after choosing them as his preferred club.
UPDATE: 17/10/13: A move to the Demons looks set to happen for Adelaide’s Bernie Vince with the Crows getting pick 20 for the midfielder according to The Age. Melbourne has tabled a three-year deal to Vince that should get him into the fold.
A trading places deal for Collingwood’s Heath Shaw and GWS Giant Taylor Adams is yet to materialise but we keep hearing that this is the deal that will get done…
Brisbane’s Jared Polec yesterday nominated Port Adelaide as his preferred South Australian team but the Power has yet to offer up trade terms that will satisfy the Lions. Armed with more draft selections than Adelaide, Port Adelaide is said to be working on swapping out of it’s first round draft selection (currently number 13 overall) in exchange for Polec and additional picks in round two or three.
Sydney’s Andrejs Everitt may be on the move with a few clubs interested in him including West Coast and St Kilda but it could be the Giants that get him.
UPDATE: 16/10/13: Well, so much for yesterday’s prediction that we would see a few deals done! Maybe today will be more productive.
James Podsiadly has reportedly met with Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson as the Crows look to gain another mature age forward. The Crows snared mature age SANFL forward Ian Callinan two seasons ago and Podsiadly could join him in Adelaide.
With Ricky Henderson and Shaun McKernan likely to be traded, the Crows could hand Podsiadly a lifeline. Henderson and McKernan have attracted interest from Collingwood, Melbourne and St Kilda.
Podsiadly, who was delisted by the Cats, has been subject of interest from Fremantle and Carlton; Adelaide now appears his likely destination.
Also on the radar today is another former Cat Paul Chapman, who is set to field an offer from Essendon and Carlton following medical assessment later today. The Bombers may be in the box seat to sign Chappy given his previous experience playing for Mark Thompson when he was coaching the Cats.
Ultimately though it may come down to money with Chapman looking for a two-year deal worth about $300,000 a season.
Unrestricted Hawthorn free agent Xavier Ellis looks set to join the West Coast Eagles where he will be reunited with former Hawks assistant, and new Eagles senior coach, Adam Simpson.
Richmond has apparently informed Robin Nahas that he won’t be offered a new contract. The 25 year old forward has had interest from only one club so far, West Coast, and it remains to be seen if he will find a home for next season.
UPDATE: 15/10/13: After a quiet few days on the trade front we expect to see a few deals come through today the most likely of which will be Heath Shaw’s decision to play for the GWS Giants.
We’ve been saying that this is the most likely destination for him since the trade period opened (scroll down to check!) but is still dependent upon trade terms being agreed to between the Magpies and Giants.
GWS has reportedly offered Shaw a five-year deal worth about $3.5 million.
Collingwood meanwhile is still in the box seat for Giant Taylor Adams, but whether this deal is for the rumoured draft pick or part of a broader deal for Heath Shaw remains to be seen.
Also likely to come to fruition today is Brisbane’s Sam Docherty being traded to Carlton. Again the trade terms are yet to be finalised but it is understood that the Blues have offered pick number 28 or 29 for the homesick midfielder.
St Kilda veteran Nick Dal Santo is still in North Melbourne’s sights but if he becomes a free agent Essendon is expected to make a strong run at him as well.
Delisted Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly underwent medical tests at St Kilda afew days ago and is set to join the Saints who have a need in that area after trading Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn last week.
UPDATE: 14/10/13: Along with Adelaide’s Bernie Vince, Melbourne is also interested in another Crow with Jarryd Lyons open to a move to join the Demons.
Lyons and Essendon’s David Myers are being courted by the Demons after Vince has already met with Demons officials. Vince will decide between offers from his current club Adelaide, Melbourne, North Melbourne and Essendon.
The latter are in a duel for St Kilda’s Nick Dal Santo. St Kilda yesterday strongly denied Leigh Montagna was on the trade table. He was linked to the Bombers.
Essendon’s Scott Gumbleton appears set to play for Fremantle next season after undergoing a medical test in Perth.
James Podsiadly has said that he is no longer open to playing at an interstate club which means Gumbleton has become the prime choice for the Dockers.
Podsiadly’s only chance of extending his career may be in the hands of Carlton, who has expressed interest in the veteran forward.
Hawthorn’s Xavier Ellis will decide between playing for West Coast or Fremantle next season as the Hawks seek a second free agency compensation pick for the midfielder.
UPDATE: 13/10/13: Melbourne may finally land a midfielder of choice with Adelaide’s Bernie Vince agreeing to meet Paul Roos and the Demons this week.
Vince, who has interest to relocate to Victoria, is the subject of interest from several clubs.
It is understood, however, Melbourne is not prepared to part with pick two for Vince.
Nick Dal Santo remains at a stalemate with discussions between the Saints and the Kangaroos stalling. It has allowed Essendon to creep in with some interest. The Bombers, however, would have to find a trade option given their limited draft pick options to offer.
Essendon is likely to snare Paul Chapman and Dal Santo would fit into its criteria as it pushes for the top four.
At least three Melbourne-based clubs are interested in delisted Gold Coast midfielder Maverick Weller, with Hawthorn linked to the well-built youngster.
Heath Shaw will decide this week between an offer from Geelong and a lucrative offer from Greater Western Sydney.
UPDATE: 12/10/13: Paul Chapman is set to join his former coach Mark Thompson at Essendon next season with the 31-year-old leaning towards continuing his playing career at the Bombers.
Carlton appears to have missed on the Cats veteran, while Hawthorn’s attention has turned to Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer rather than snaring another goalkicking forward.
Adelaide and Fremantle still have strong interest in veteran delisted Cat James Podsiadly.
There have been no clubs that have shown interest in premiership defender Josh Hunt.
The next signings are likely to be Sam Docherty at Carlton, while another Lion Jared Polec is set to sign at Port Adelaide.
Darren Jolly appears set to play for a fourth AFL club with St Kilda likely to provide him an opportunity after the loss of Ben McEvoy to the Hawks.
UPDATE: 11/10/13: Collingwood’s Heath Shaw is apparently leaning towards Geelong but it may ultimately come down to the alternative trade terms that the Cats and GWS Giants come up with. Muddying the waters though is the rumour (since denied) that Carlton has also shown interest.
Speaking of the the Giants, Taylor Adams is still a priority for the Magpies who look set to do a deal for him regardless of what happens with Shaw and St Kilda is rumoured to be targeting Jonathan Giles as a replacement for Ben McEvoy and to compete against Rhys Stanley and Tom Hickey for playing time.
Are the Sydney Swans genuinely interested in Geelong’s Travis Varcoe as an upgrade over Rhyce Shaw?
There is another possible Cats/Swans connection with Geelong making a late play for Jesse White as well.
UPDATE: 10/10/13: Melbourne is set to land its coach-in-waiting Stuart Dew from Sydney to be the apprentice under new coach Paul Roos for two seasons.
Dew is set to be given the all-clear from the Swans with rumours today that Brisbane Lions veteran Simon Black will retire and become the Swans new midfield coach; a position that Dew currently holds.
Dew, a two-time premiership player at Port and Hawthorn, has been Roos’ first choice as the man to take over his position in two years’ time.
Hawthorn has said that it is still interested in snaring Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer despite already trading for St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy.
The Hawks may entice the Lions with a trade inclusive of Xavier Ellis, who the Lions are interested in along with their compensation pick for Lance Franklin, likely to be pick 19.
Melbourne is still attempting to entice a quality midfielder to its list with its No.2 pick up for trade.
Sydney’s Nick Smith has been linked to the Dees. It was interested in Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell, but Sewell is unlikely to be traded.
UPDATE: 9/10/13: Brisbane Lions national talent manager Rob Kerr was on Trade Radio this afternoon and gave an update on the club’s trade dealings with Hawthorn for Billy Longer. The Lions are willing to trade the young ruckman but are currently asking for Hawthorn’s first round pick, number 18 overall. He seemed firm on that point and dismissed the possibility of accepting Shane Savage and a lower pick in exchamge for Longer.
“He’s had two years of development put into him and he’s played nine senior games, I would’ve thought a trade would have to involve Hawthorn’s first pick and potentially something else,” said Kerr.
On the status of a trade to Western Australia of Elliot Yeo, the dialogue is ongoing between the Lions and both Fremantle and West Coast. The Eagles have “put a 3rd round pick on the table for a him” and Brisbane is waiting on the Dockers’ counter-offer.
Finally Kerr also said that there was strong interest from the Western Bulldogs, Essendon and Carlton in Sam Docherty.
“We have said to Carlton if you are genuinely interested in Sam then you need to put something on the table that we would be willing to consider,” said Kerr .
“They’ve indicated there’s a few players they are willing to trade but if it were Carlton we’d be trying to get the best draft pick we could. I don’t think we’d look past the second-round.
“If it were to be Essendon it would have to involve players, but I would say Carlton and the Bulldogs are the two most likely at this point in time.”
St Kilda remains keen on defender Josh Bruce but Greater Western Sydney is asking a hefty price, rumoured to be pick 21.
Adelaide list manager David Noble says that the Crows are interested in a number of players including former Geelong key forward James Podsiadly, Essendon’s Scott Gumbleton and Brisbane midfielder Jared Polec.
Meanwhile player manager Winston Rous, who represents Taylor Adams, was also on air with the crew at Trade Radio. Asked about the current status of trade discussions, Rous confirmed that it was between Geelong and Collingwood saying that the Giants are waiting for “a suitable trade (offer) that saisfies them”.
The competition between the South Australian clubs for Brisbane’s Jared Polec is heating up. Port Adelaide has offered a second-round draft pick to the Lions which Adelaide cannot do because of the Kurt Tippet penalties still hanging over the club. So the Crows have, instead, been rumoured to have offered midfielder David Mackay in a trade.
We wrote late last week that Fremantle’s Josh Mellington has asked the club to be traded home to Victoria and the Dockers have now said that they will try to get a deal done for him.
Essendon’s list manager, Adrian Dodoro, was on Trade Radio this morning and offered up a few nuggets including the club’s interest in delisted Cat Paul Chapman, Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell and the desire to hang on to Leroy Jetta.
North Melbourne is offering St Kilda pick 26 and key defender Luke Delaney in exchange for midfielder Nick Dal Santo.
The Saints meanwhile believe that if they void the final year of Dal Santo’s contract and make him a free agent that they would collect pick 22 as compensation if he signed elsewhere.
So it comes down to whether or not St Kilda believes Delaney is worth dropping back five spots in the second round of the draft.
Crows midfielder Bernie Vince has not been offered up in trade talks with other clubs but Adelaide has shown interest in James Podsiadly and Scott Gumbleton.
Both West Coast and Fremantle have an interest in Brisbane’s Elliot Yeo with the Eagles offering up a third-round draft choice for him. The Lions however are holding out for a better deal.
Essendon’s Leroy Jetta is rumored to have requested a trade but we are yet to hear if there are any takers for him.
Carlton is keen on Hawthorn’s Shane Savage and the word is they will use pick 28 (acquired by the Blues from Richmond for Shaun Hampson) to get get him. The Demons are interested in Savage as well so it may all come down to who makes the better offer.
Is St Kilda’s Sam Fisher on the move to the GWS Giants?
UPDATE: 8/10/13: Carlton may be interested in signing former Cat Paul Chapman according to his manager Liam Pickering.
“Any club that thinks they can contend next year would obviously be mad not to speak with ‘Chappy’. He feels as if his body will allow him at least two good years,” said Pickering.
Of course Pickering has a vested interest in talking up his own book and it remains to be seen if that interest is real or imaginery.
Still on the Blues this year’s trade period has seen them far more active than last year when there was an eery silence from Visy Park. Having traded for Shaun Hampson the Blues have now put the word out that Josh Bootsma, Kane Lucas and Levi Casboult are all on the trading block in exchange for the right midfield talent.
Notwithstanding the fact that they have disputed the contract on offer, the GWS Giants are still keen to land Heath Shaw and we’re hearing that the deal will be a straight swap with Collingwood getting Taylor Adams and could come through at any time.
The Magpies also look set to complete a trade for Jesse White from the Sydney Swans. The Swans are looking for either a late second-round or early third-round pick.
Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said it is in discussions with Hawks premiership player Xavier Ellis and confirmed Ellis will undergo a medical test this week for the Dockers.
The Dockers are one of a number of teams interested in Ellis, who has had injury worries for the Hawks over the past two seasons.
Fremantle is also weighing up whether it will opt for delisted Geelong veteran James Podsiadly or Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton, who is currently uncontracted.
Carlton is also in the mix for Podsiadly, whose fairytale career as a late bloomer may well continue.
After snaring Shaun Hampson from Carlton on day one, Richmond says it is perhaps already done and dusted for the trade period.
“Our strategy has been mainly a bit of stability and retaining key players (and) we’ve fortunately been able to do that,” Tigers football manager Dan Richardson said.
“(Our recruiting) team has done a terrific job over the last few years and … had a fairly significant turnover of players the last three, four years, so I don’t see that continuing this year. From this point on, we certainly don’t have any plans for anything else.
While it is waiting for the Lance Franklin to Sydney deal to go through, Hawthorn is lobbying for a busy trade period with delisted Geelong veteran Paul Chapman in its sights.
Chapman, who is also linked to Carlton, is believed to be on the Hawks radar which would be an ironic story given the infamous ‘Chappy pact’ when playing against Hawthorn.
Former AFL coach Terry Wallace touted the idea on Trade Radio on Monday and it has since grown some legs.
Richmond said it has no interest in Chapman when speaking to the media on Monday.
The Hawks are also keen to get a deal done for Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer. The Hawks are weighing up whether to cough up their first selection or package up a player and a lower draft pick. Xavier Ellis is likely to be the player that would go if the Lions wanted him.
Hawthorn is also looking for offers on midfielder Brad Sewell in a bid to create space under the salary cap and confident that with Jed Anderson and Mitch Hallahan that they have younger players ready to step up.
Meanwhile, Geelong is seeking offers for talented midfielder Travis Varcoe, who has already been linked to a return home to Port Adelaide, although the Power believe it would be ‘unrealistic’ with its focus primarily on snaring Brisbane Lions midfielder Jared Polec.
Varcoe has also been linked to a move to West Coast in a trade.
Melbourne has missed out on West Coast’s Luke Shuey, who doesn’t want to be traded, Heath Shaw, who will decide between a huge offer from GWS and playing with a top four contender Geelong and Nick Smith, who wants to remain at Sydney.
The Demons are hungry for an established midfielder to lead the on-ball brigade.
It is believed the Demons have touched base with Saints midfielder Leigh Montagna’s management early on Tuesday.
Collingwood’s Shaw is still on holiday but the details of a 5 year $4 million contract from the GWS Giants has emerged. That’s good news for Shaw but the Giants will still need to negotiate with Collingwood to get his rights. The Magpies remain interested in getting Taylor Adams a a straight up swap of players.
The Western Bulldogs want Stewart Crameri. Essendon want to trade him to them. So the only thing slowing down the trade are the details. The Doggies have offered up their second round pick, number 22 overall, but the Bombers want something up to 10 picks earlier. The deal will get done but it may just take a little longer.
And in a trade that won’t be happening, Essendon’s David Myers is going nowhere according to the club. Melbourne had put out the feelers and Bombers’ list manager Adrian Dodoro responded almost immediately to shut it down.
UPDATE: 7/10/13: Dale Thomas has confirmed on Fox Sports that Collingwood will not be matching Carlton’s offer. The Blues submitted their official offer late yesterday and the Magpies have 72 hours to respond.
Could GWS Giant Jonathan Giles be on the move to Adelaide. News Limited says that option is well and truly on the table. They have also reported that the Giants are prepared to trade defender Tomas Bugg and midfielder Matt Buntine for the right deal.
Luke Shuey’s manager was on SEN this morning hosing down speculation about a possible return to Melbourne.
“I was a bit surprised hearing (the trade rumours). He’s actually got two years to go on his current contract with the Eagles,” said Nick Gieschen.
“I can understand his name being thrown up. Obviously he’s a Melbourne boy and a good young player, but I can tell you he’s extremely happy at the Eagles. They’ve looked after him really well over the last few years and he’s really keen to stay and see how they go under Simmo.”
A couple of pundits have suggested that Fremantle should target former Geelong Cat James Podsiadly but there has no been no suggestion from the Dockers that he is on their radar.
Fremantle’s Josh Mellington however has asked the club to be traded home to Victoria.
UPDATE: 6/10/13: We’ve written a few time already about Carlton’ Shaun Hampson being a target for the Hawthorn, the GWS Giants and Richmond and it looks increasingly as if the Tigers will be the club that gets him with a deal expected to be on the table as soon as tomorrow.
St Kilda is in the market for defenders and while North Melbourne key defender Luke Delaney has already named them as his preferred team the Saints are also keen on GWS Giants defender Josh Bruce.
Delisted Geelong veteran Paul Chapman is in talks with Richmond about a possible role next season.
Chapman, who is fighting to keep his playing career alive, was told by Geelong this week that he is no longer required – along with defender Josh Hunt and James Podsiadly.
There are rumours that Fremantle could provide Podsiadly with a one year deal as it aims to retain its spot among the premiership contenders for 2014.
The trade rumour of Luke Shuey being traded to a Victorian club got more legs today with a post on AFL.com.au saying that the midfielder is “warming to the idea”. Of course Collingwood gets a mention as a destination as usual but we’re hearing that they are more interested in getting a deal done for Taylor Adams. But it’s Melbourne that may be in a better position to negotiate a trade with the Eagles. The Demon’s will get a compensation pick for the departed Colin Sylvia, likely to be somewhere in the 20-30′s, which they could package up to get Shuey.
Hawthorn will up the ante on its bid to snare Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer during the trade period after premiership ruckman Max Bailey announced he would be retiring at Saturday night’s club best and fairest count. Michael Osborne also retired from the Hawks.
The Hawks may off-load premiership midfielder Xavier Ellis to Fremantle, while Shane Savage is linked to both West Coast and Carlton.
Collingwood’s Heath Shaw is on holidays and will think about several offers put to him and his management. It is believed Geelong, Hawthorn and Melbourne are the front-runners. But throwing another club in the mix is News Limited with a report today that Gold Coast could be in the hunt as well.
According to News, Suns coach Guy McKenna said the club’s priority during the trade period was a get a “rebounding defender who uses the ball well”.
The Suns want to put David Swallow back into the midfield to allow Gary Ablett to spend more time forward. With Jarrod Harbrow already pushing up the ground, a glaring gap in the backline needs to be filled.
Shaw is clearly the best halfback flanker on the market after falling out of favour at the Magpies and would bring valuable experience and counter-punch to the Gold Coast.
UPDATE 5/10/13: Geelong has stepped up its efforts to get Taylor Adams. It would be a return home for Adams who played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup before being drafted by the Giants with the 13th pick of the 2011 National Draft. The Cats are understood to have included Travis Varcoe in a trade package that may see the Giants midfielder wear the blue and white hoops next season.
A three way deal may be looming with Collingwood to trade for Adelaide’s Ricky Henderson sending the Crows their second round pick (number 27 overall). Adelaide would the use that pick to snare Brisbane’s Jared Polec. Polec has said that he wants to play back home in South Australia and is unfussed whether it is for Adelaide or Port Adelaide. Because the Power’s second round pick is number 30 overall they would either have to trade their first round pick to Brisbane or somehow do a deal with another club to sweeten their offer to the Lions. Adding weight to the deal is the report via SEN radio that Henderson was at Collingwood today for a fitness examination.
UPDATE: 4/10/13: Unrestricted Richmond free agent Luke McGuane is set to leave and wants to return to his home state and looking to play for Justin Leppitsch at Brisbane.
We wote last month (scroll way down to see it…) that the Western Bulldogs are set to land Essendon’s Stewart Crameri a four-year deal worth more money than the one that Bombers are willing to offer him. This deal still looks likely to come to fruition.
We haven’t mentioned GWS Giant Taylor Adams for a few days. There is hot competition among Victorian clubs for his services with a rumoured deal of three-year $1.2 million contract offer on the table from Collingwood. Adams is out of contract but would need to be traded for a deal to be done and the Herald Sun has reported that Collingwood has offered a straight swap of Heath Shaw to get Adams.
St Kilda is still interested in Essendon’s David Myers but with the midfielder still under contract will need to come up with a trade package that will suit the Bombers if they are to get a deal done.
We mentioned two days ago that Brisbane Lions Elliot Yeo is keen to return to WA and that trade discussion is heating up with an offer from the Eagles has now come in.
Carlton is being far more active in this trade period than they were in last year’s with Thomas the biggest name on the list so far. The Blues will lose Betts to Adelaide but they have their eyes on a few other players including Fremantle midfielder/forward Viv Michie and Hawthorn midfielder Shane Savage. That’s a lot of midfielders potentially coming Carlton’s way.
Still on Carlton we wrote that Shaun Hampson was being targeted by Richmond and GWS, and you can now add Hawthorn to that list although their interest may disappear if they are successful in their pursuit of Brisbane’s Billy Longer.
Fremantle remains active in trade discussions and not content with just getting Colin Sylvia and potentially making a play for Xavier Ellis the Dockers Fremantle have been linked to Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton as well.
Geelong continues to make moves. Yesterday they ended their association with Paul Chapman and James Podsiadly and Joel Corey is expected to announce his retirement in the very near future. You can now add Travis Varcoe to the list of changes at Geelong with the Cats apparently floating his name out to other clubs in trade discussions.
UPDATE: 3/10/13: Hawthorn’s Xavier Ellis is an unrestricted free agent and is drawing interest from Fremantle. Not content with striking a deal in principle this afternoon with Melbourne’s Colin Sylvia , the Dockers are looking to add the Hawks midfielder as well.
Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer has indicated his preference to sign with Hawthorn.
The Hawks must satisfy Brisbane’s demands with a trade. It is likely the Hawks will trade the priority pick it receives for Lance Franklin, likely to be pick 19, to Brisbane for Longer.
CARLTON is set to retain disgruntled midfielder Chris Yarran despite being linked to West Coast at the end of the season.
Yarran, who was used as a sub during several matches this season and dumped to the VFL for poor behaviour, appeared set to leave the Blues and head west but the pending departure of Eddie Betts to Adelaide is likely to mean Carlton will keep him.
West Coast’s interest in Yarran has also died down.
Fremantle appears to be set to make an offer for unrestricted Melbourne free agent Colin Sylvia. New Melbourne coach Paul Roos has declared him a required player and have put an offer to him to stay but the choice of where he will play next season is entirely up to him.
Four Geelong players will have their playing careers with the club decided in the near future. James Podsiadly remains without a contract while Paul Chapman, Joel Corey and Corey Enright are free agents. At this stage only Enright is expected to play for the Cats next season.
Chapman is determined to play on in 2014 but while his name has been linked to Richmond, he is not a priority for the Tigers at this stage.
Carlton has confirmed that Dale Thomas has passed the medical assessment on his injured ankle paving the way for the club to make an offer for the restricted free agent. The Blues are expected to offer Thomas a five year contract and rumour has it that Collingwood is prepared to let him go.
UPDATE: 2/10/2013: St Kilda has confirmed that while two clubs have shown interest in Nick Dal Santo none had formally inquired about Leigh Montagna.
“With regards to Nick it has been publicly stated that North Melbourne and Essendon have shown interest in him. It certainly hasn’t progressed to a stage where anything formal has been tabled for us, put it that way,” said St Kilda General Manager Player List Ameet Bains.
“With Leigh, no one has contacted us to say they have got genuine interest. The trade period officially starts next Monday and we would expect a lot of discussion to take place on a variety of players across all clubs next week. As it stands, no club has made any approach on Leigh.”
Carlton big man Shaun Hampson is on the radars of both the GWS Giants and Richmond. Carlton recruiting manager Shane Rogers has said that while there is interest from other clubs “Richmond has shown the most interest.”
Injury problems contributed to Hampson’s limited playing time for the Blues this year (he made just six appearances) and any trade of the big man will obviously be dependent on him passing a medical examination.
If the Blues move Hampson as expected it will give the club more salary cap space to accommodate their bid for Collingwood’s Dale Thomas.
HAWTHORN is lobbying for a deal with Sydney in order to gain Swans premiership ruckman Shane Mumford as part of the mega Lance Franklin deal.
But as a free agent, the Hawks technically only have the option to match the deal of the Swans or respectfully see him off.
To make room for Franklin in its already expanded salary cap, Sydney will offload ruckman and forward Jesse White to Collingwood and Mumford, who has not been offered a contract by the Swans, is likely to land at the Hawks in or outside of the Franklin deal.
The Swans are also expected to off-load talented young forward Jed Lamb and running defender Andrejs Everitt; a total of four players to make room for one.
Eddie Betts could yet be the first free agent to fall, with Adelaide in the box seat for the Carlton small forward. The Adelaide Crows are front runners for securing the restricted free agent according to his manager, Ned Guy. Speaking on SEN radio yesterday Guy also said that North Melbourne was still a possibility and there was also the prospect that he would remain at Carlton.
With five clubs chasing his services Richmond’s Matt White is very in demand. As we have written before Port Adelaide is set to make a bid for him as soon as the free agency period opens on Friday.
Hinkley on Matt White: We’re excited, we feel we’re in a really healthy position to get it done. We’re really confident he can add to @PAFC
— Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 2, 2013
If they are unsuccessful in their bid for White though the Adelaide Advertiser has reported that Carlton onballer Mitch Robinson may be one of the club’s fall back options in a trade. (Update 10:48am: On trade Radio this morning Carlton recruiting manager Shane Rogers said “It’s the first I’ve heard about it. Under no circumstances is Mitch Robinson going anywhere in my view).
Still with Adelaide, Shaun McKernan is out of contract and keen to return to Melbourne in spite of the Crows’ desire to keep him.
While Justin Leppitsch only arrived in Brisbane on Monday he has been hard at work trying to convince Pat Karnezis, Jared Polec, Elliot Yeo, Billy Longer and Sam Docherty.
Polec, who is from South Australia, is being targeted by Port Adelaide and Adelaide.The Crows are light on draft picks this year as a result of the Kurt Tippett affair last year and may need to trade Ricky Henderson in order to be in a position to do a deal.
And still on the Lions, Elliot Yeo is determined to head home to Western Australia with his manager, Colin Young, saying that he expected the West Coast Eagles to contact Brisbane in order to discuss a possible trade.
UPDATE: 1/10/2013: Buddy Franklin remains in the news with multiple clubs being associated to the restricted free agent. The latest, via News Limited, is the Sydney Swans who have lobbed a five year $7 million offer his way. At $1.4m per season it’s a superior offer to the $1.1 million per year offer that Hawthorn has on the table but still miles behind the purported $2 million a year offer that the GWS Giants have made.
If the Swans can pull this off you can expect the cries of outrage from all the Victorian clubs at the fact that a mature, premiership winning squad gets a 9% salary cap bonus that allows them to make these sorts of offers.
Also on Football Nation: AFL Trade and Free Agency News – Live Coverage
The Nick Dal Santo to North Melbourne rumour is gaining more and more credibility with AFL.com.au’s Damian Barrett saying on Trade Radio yesterday that a deal is as good as done. While the midfielder is under contract to the Saints, he has the ability to tear up the final year of his deal and become a free agent.
Dal Santo’s agent Tom Petroro has said that strongest consideration is being given to finding a club where he believes that he can help win a premiership. Based on appearances he seems to think that North is that place.
While the Dustin Martin caravan ultimately stopped where it started with Richmond, news came out late yesterday that the midfielder had rejected a late bid from Essendon. The HeraldSun reported that a contingent of Bombers made up of Mark Thompson, Simon Goodwin and list manager Adrian Dodoro made their case to Martin’s manager, Ralph Carr, and his father Shane Martin. Given the fact that he re-signed with Richmond it’s unlikely that their pitch included a better offer than the rumoured two year, $1 million offer from the Tigers.
Richmond unrestricted free agent Matthew White is receiving strong interest from a number of clubs including Carlton, St Kilda, Essendon and Melbourne. But it is Port Adelaide that seems to be the keenest with the Power set to lob an offer for his services on Friday when the free agency period opens.
Port Adelaide has also confirmed it’s interest in Brisbane Lion Jared Polec. Polec’s manager Justin Reid has said that under no circumstances would the young midfielder return to the Lions and was determined to be traded back to his home state of South Australia.
St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt is going nowhere in spite of a rumour that was repeated multiple times online yesterday that had him going to Collingwood. St Kilda Head of Football Chris Pelchen released a statement to squash that rumour saying that there was no chance Riewoldt would leave the club in this year’s trade period. “Nick Riewoldt will not be traded,” said Pelchen.
UPDATE: 30/9/2013: CARLTON forward Eddie Betts has signalled his intention to become a Crow by the end of the week.
Trade targets can officially say what their club of choice is from Friday, but Betts, who is believed to be already looking at the property market in Adelaide, may also be joined by Blues on-baller Mitch Robinson.
North Melbourne has also shown interest in Betts.
HAWTHORN has entered the market for Collingwood’s Dale Thomas and is the major competition for Carlton.
The Blues have already offered Thomas a four year deal and is the likely candidate. But the Hawks could come in with a late bid particularly if Lance Franklin signs with Greater Western Sydney, as expected.
The Hawks are set to be a big player in the trade period once again and is likely to get either Sydney’s Shane Mumford or Brisbane Lions’ Billy Longer in their search for another ruckmen.
Hawks midfielder Xavier Ellis appears to be on the outer after a string of calf injuries – but being a former first round draft pick, he may attract interest elsewhere. Ironically, Ellis was plucked by the Hawks ahead of Dale Thomas in a draft.
BRISBANE Lions forward Brent Staker is out of contract and has been linked to Carlton.
Brisbane’s Sam Docherty has met with North Melbourne, Essendon, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs and appears to be on the move as well, perhaps along with Patrick Karnezis, who appears to be Collingwood bound and Jared Polec, who will be picked up by either Adelaide or Port Adelaide.
And interestingly the race has heated up for Collingwood defender Heath Shaw with Melbourne reportedly prepared to part ways with its No.2 draft pick in return for Shaw and the Pies’ pick 10.
Meanwhile North Melbourne key defender Luke Delaney has named St Kilda as his preferred team after telling the Kangaroos earlier this month that he wanted a trade. We said that Carlton was interested in acquiring him earlier this month so it will be interesting to see what trade offers are sent North’s way.
UPDATE: 27/9/2013: COLLINGWOOD and the Western Bulldogs are closer to snaring Sydney’s Jesse White after the tall forward has opted to return home to Melbourne via a trade.
White, who was in the mix for a trade for Kurt Tippett at the end of last season, is now destined to return to Victoria, where his family are based at.
The Pies may opt to send Heath Shaw to Sydney in return for White as part of a trade with a swap of draft picks.
Shaw could reunite with his brother Rhyce at the Swans.
This year’s trade period is rich pickings for the Bulldogs who are desperate to snare some tall talent, which it has missed out in recent times.
The Bulldogs have almost locked in Essendon forward Stewart Crameri on a four year deal and have their sights on White and Bomber Scott Gumbleton. They could in fact snare all three but they would be content with two of them.
St Kilda’s Nick Dal Santo will choose between Essendon and North Melbourne and may be leaning more towards the Kangaroos if the deal is right.
Fellow Saints midfielder Leigh Montagna is also being pursued by the Kangaroos.
UPDATE: 26/09/2013: INTEREST is circulating for Collingwood defender Heath Shaw, who is being shopped around in the lead up to trade week.
Shaw, who has been linked to join his brother Rhyce at Sydney, has also attracted interest from Melbourne and Carlton. Could he in fact join his old coach Mick Malthouse at the Blues along with Dale Thomas, who is tipped to sign at Carlton as soon as next week.
Thomas, who is expected to be offered a multi-million dollar five-year deal at the Blues, is undergoing a medical test for his potential new club.
Essendon has joined a cluster of teams wanting Greater Western Sydney’s Taylor Adams. The Dons see Adams as an important asset to add to their midfield depth.
The Western Bulldogs appear likely to get a deal done for Essendon forward Stewart Crameri, who has snubbed the latest offer from Essendon to go elsewhere. The Bulldogs have been in the market for a tall forward and see Crameri as a supreme fit.
Hawthorn remains the front-runner for Brisbane Lions tall ruckman Billy Longer and has shown some interest in handing delisted Gold Coast midfielder Maverick Weller a career lifeline.
Sydney is likely to off-load one of its tall forwards Jesse White or Sam Reid; the latter appears more likely to go given White’s impressive season at the Swans and Reid’s injury concerns.
Carlton has also been in contact about a possible trade option. The Western Bulldogs may also enter the market.
UPDATE: 23/9/2013: THERE has already been interest from Greater Western Sydney, Richmond and Collingwood in recruiting much-loved Cats veteran Paul Chapman.
Chapman was told by the Cats soon after the loss to the Hawks that he was no longer required – along with Joel Corey and Josh Hunt – despite starring in the semi-final win against the Power.
He missed the preliminary final loss through suspension.
He has told of his desire to continue his footy career – even at another club.
The Giants are looking to bolster their list with some experience, while the Pies have plenty of room for him after delisting goalkicking forwards Andrew Krakouer and Alan Didak, while Richmond is also keen to add some experience to its midfield group in a bid to go that extra step.
DELISTED Hawthorn forward Mitch Thorp is destined for another crack in the AFL with at least eight clubs interested in him according to his manager Liam Pickering.
Thorp, who has starred for South Launceston in the Tassie state league this season, was a top 10 draft selection that failed to live up to expectations when drafted as a Hawk.
“There has been a fair bit of interest in him,” Pickering said.
“I’m confident he’ll get drafted, either as a rookie or in the national draft.
“You can never be over confident, but looking at a few clubs that don’t really have any forwards, he could have a huge impact straight away and he’s still young too.
“He’s the perfect age, a ready-made player and he’s matured greatly since his first shot (at AFL level),” he told the AFL website.
UPDATE: 20/9/2013: ON a day that Reece Conca re-signed at Richmond after strong interest from the WA clubs, Dustin Martin also appears set to re-sign at the Tigers after Greater Western Sydney joined a chorus of other clubs to decide not to pursue the talented midfielder.
The Giants released this statement on Friday afternoon:
“We took up the invitation to meet with Martin and his manager Ralph Carr and showed them around our new training facility and SKODA Stadium but we have made a decision not to pursue further discussions,” General Manager Football Graeme Allan said.
“We will continue to explore a number of opportunities with other players with a view to add more experience to our playing list and we wish Dustin Martin all the best for his career ahead.”
UPDATE: 19/9/2013: THE Brisbane Lions are the latest team to meet up with Richmond star Dustin Martin‘s management.
The Lions will do their due diligence on Martin before officially making a play but it is believed that they are in the market for another young midfielder.
It comes as Melbourne has joined Carlton and Collingwood in declining any interest in Martin.
Martin said that he hasn’t “walked away” from Richmond but his management is fielding offers from other clubs. He is wanting $600,000 a season.
Greater Western Sydney is the other team that has shown solid interest.
Another Richmond midfielder – Reece Conca – may be tempted to be head west with West Coast making a lucrative player for the youngster.
St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna is the latest name to join the trade table and is expected to attract solid interest. If a deal is right, the Saints will off-load him.
Greater Western Sydney midfielder Taylor Adams has attracted interest from Richmond, Carlton and Geelong.
UPDATE: 16/9/2013: CARLTON is set to be a big player during the trade period and it appears set to land North Melbourne key defender Luke Delaney, who has struggled for opportunities at Arden Street.
The Blues have also publicly stated their strong interest in landing Collingwood’s Dale Thomas, but yet might unload Eddie Betts to North Melbourne or Adelaide – who have both shown solid interest in the goalkicker.
Betts is commanding around $600,000 a season and the Blues are not willing to pay that amount.
The Blues are also thinking about West Coast’s offer for on-baller Chris Yarran and may well off-load him to the Eagles for the right price.
RICHMOND’S Dustin Martin appears on the move with WA teams West Coast and Fremantle both showing the most interest early.
UPDATE: 11/9/2013: MELBOURNE is reportedly set to name North Melbourne assistant Brett Allison as its new assistant coach under Paul Roos.
It is not yet known whether Allison will be instilled as the senior assistant with a view to becoming the Dees next senior coach.
It is expected to be announced in the coming days.
St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo said he wants to remain a Saint despite being linked to North Melbourne in reports.
“I’m actually not a free agent. I’ve actually got another year on a contract, which has been misreported a few times, but I understand that,” Dal Santo said before the AFLPA MVP Awards at Docklands.
“I do intend on staying at the Saints, to make a long story short. I’ve been there since I was 17 and I don’t want to change,” he told the AFL website.
Melbourne and Collingwood are chasing Greater Western Sydney young talent Taylor Adams, while Adelaide has joined North Melbourne to show interest in Carlton forward Eddie Betts.
Jack Watts appears closer to re-signing at Melbourne after the appointment of coach Paul Roos has excited him according to his manager Paul Connors on Tuesday morning on radio station SEN1116am.
UPDATE: 10/9/2013: NORTH Melbourne has shown significant interest in Carlton goalkicker Eddie Betts in recent days.
The Roos are on the search for a consistent goalkicking small forward and may pay the asking price of $600,000 for him – an offer that Carlton has resisted to match.
Betts’ management has been at loggerheads with the Blues since mid-way through the season and no resolution has been found.
CARLTON has made its best offer yet to out-of-contract Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas with a reported $3.5 million over five years.
Thomas appears likely to head to the Blues in a period of change at the Magpies, where Darren Jolly has been axed and Andrew Krakouer and Alan Didak are also likely to be axed.
There is also speculation that Collingwood’s Heath Shaw may also be used as trade bait.
The Pies are doing some trade digging themselves with Brisbane Lions midfielder Patrick Karnezis likely to join them over the trade period.
HAWTHORN is looking at the prospect of adding Brisbane Lions beanpole Billy Longer to its ruck stocks.
Longer, keen to get to a Melbourne-based team, has also shown interest towards a move to the Hawks and join Max Bailey and David Hale as the top rucks.
It would mean, however, that the careers of young Hawks ruckmen Sam Grimley and Luke Lowden will be under threat.
GREATER Western Sydney key defender Josh Bruce has reportedly requested a trade to St Kilda.
The 21-year-old has reportedly been offered a three-year deal by the Saints.
The Giants are set to lure Carlton big man Robbie Warnock across after Essendon ruckman Tom Bellchambers has signalled his intentions to remain a Bomber.
FREMANTLE is being linked to Richmond midfielder Reece Conca, who is yet to agree to contract terms with the Tigers.
Conca is reportedly considering a move back home to Perth and West Coast may enter the fray for the youngster also.
Dustin Martin’s future also remains unclear with a sticking point still to be settled with his contact.
UPDATE: 8/9/2013: MELBOURNE’S Colin Sylvia has a big decision to make at 28 years of age. That is whether to remain as a Demon or join a club that has a chance to win a flag in the next three years.
Collingwood and Adelaide has shown some interest in Sylvia.
ST KILDA’S Nick Dal Santo, too, is in a similar boat and will be tempted by offers from Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney in the lead up to the trade period.
The career of Collingwood premiership ruckman Darren Jolly is in limbo after he was left out of the squad for the elimination final on Saturday night.
Jolly is out of contract – and at this stage there has been no interest from other clubs in the experienced big man.
Andrew Krakouer is expected to retire or be delisted after not being in Collingwood’s finals plans.
He missed vital training sessions in the lead up to the finals which has put him down the pecking order. Krakouer will represent the AFL’s indigenous team against Ireland next month – in what could be his final match of any kind at AFL level.
UPDATE: 6/9/2013: ESSENDON’S Kyle Hardingham is set to leave the Bombers with St Kilda already showing plenty of interest in the talented young forward.
Hardingham, who has struggled to retain a regular spot in the Bombers best 22, is one who is believed to have requested for a trade from the Bombers.
The AFL Players Association believe there have been several Essendon-listed players that want out and the AFL is considering the AFLPA’s request to allow disgruntled Essendon players to leave the club – as “delisted free agents”.
The AFL commission is considering the the “special consideration”.
ADELAIDE forward Shaun McKernan has requested a trade to return home to Victoria.
McKernan, who has attracted interest from the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and St Kilda, has told the Crows of his desire this week.
It comes as the Bulldogs chase a key forward with all their energy being put into Essendon’s Stewart Crameri.
WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Daniel Cross wants to play at another AFL team next season after being delisted by the Western Bulldogs. There hasn’t been any interest in Cross so far but perhaps an opportunity may come when some of the finalists’ season ends. It is likely a club that is close to winning a flag would be in contention for Cross.
“It (the delisting) is a bit of mixed emotions,” Cross said on Wednesday.
“It’s funny, everyone talking about the future next year and so forth, and I won’t be here. This place will always be my home.”
“For the decision that was made last week, although I was left heartbroken, I said this to the guys, I absolutely the respect the decision that was made and the direction the footy club is going. I will continue to support this club wherever I end up, and this place will always be my home.
“All I’ve tried to do in my career since I’ve been here is play so hard for the red, white and blue and I’m going to miss it. Yesterday I was hanging out my son’s jumper and saw it with the number four and ‘daddy’ on the back and I broke down in tears because I won’t see him wearing it anymore,” he said.
UPDATE: 4/9/2013: GOLD Coast’s delisting Maverick Weller is likely to get some attention from Hawthorn perhaps in this year’s draft after the Hawks showed interest in the nuggety midfielder during last year’s trade period – but were unable to get a trade done.
UPDATE 02/09/2013: SOON after their Round 23 win over Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs have again touched base with the management of out-of-contract Bomber Stewart Crameri with their latest offer.
Crameri is at the top of the Bulldogs wish-list as they aim to snare a key forward by the end of this year’s trade period.
There was talk that the Bulldogs were also after key Bombers ruckman Tom Bellchambers, but he appears set to take up a lucrative offer at Greater Western Sydney next season as the Bombers prepare to deal for early round draft picks – given they have been stripped of them from the supplements saga.
It may mean that Crameri, who is yet to sign at Essendon, may be in fact used as trade bait for the Bombers to get what they want.
NORTH Melbourne has shown interest in Hawks youngster Mitch Hallahan, who has struggled to get a senior call-up this season.
Hallahan, who has been one of the best for Hawthorn’s feeder team Box Hill, is in the lower pecking order at the Hawks given he has to compete against the likes of Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell for a spot in the team.
As an inside midfielder, Hallahan has impressed this season.
FREMANTLE has sounded out Port Melbourne midfielder Chris Cain to add to its impressive list of mature age recruits. The Dockers are believed to be weighing up the option of taking Cain in this year’s AFL draft rather than as a rookie – but will await his test results at the Draft Combine next month.
GEELONG forward Shane Kersten has also attracted interested elsewhere with Carlton and the Western Bulldogs among the logical suitors.
HAWTHORN is also reportedly showing strong interest in newly delisted Gold Coast Sun Maverick Weller
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