Geelong forced to wait for Motlop decision
“If we let him go, we’ll get some sort of compensation and that will open up other opportunities, but whether we do anything or not . . .
“Other than the Gary Ablett deal, we haven’t got any other deals in motion.”
Wells conceded talks with the Suns over Ablett had stalled.
“We’re not (closer). Gold Coast are still waiting to see if Motlop wants to go up there, and until they find out, nothing is progressing,” he said.
“If Steven says he’s not going to the Gold Coast, we’ll start talking again.”
There is a sense of inevitability that Ablett will return, but Wells is not so sure.
“There’s still a chance that Gold Coast will ask for more than we can give in the end,” he said on SEN.
“We know exactly what we’re willing to give up and the Gold Coast and us are having great talks, Scotty Clayton has been fantastic to deal with, but it’s not a fait accompli.
“There’s still a bit of work to be done and that might well take until next week.”
Having toured the facilities at Simonds Stadium on Tuesday, Watts could also become a Cat. Money is not a factor, according to Wells, but Port Adelaide is seemingly in the box seat.
“It’s not that,” he said, rub- bishing talk the Cats could not afford Watts.
“When we were first alerted to the fact Jack might be considering a move, or that Melbourne might be considering trading him, we thought it might have cost less to get the deal done with Melbourne.
“Certainly we can afford it from a salary cap point of view, but in every one of these trades, you need to make a decision on what you’re prepared to give up and at this stage we’re not going to do anything with Jack with the picks that we have.”
Melbourne has requested a second-round selection for Watts, but Geelong will not be parting with its pick 20.
“We’ve traded away a lot over the last few years and we’ve been able to get good deals done in the draft period, but this time around we’re quite happy to go to the draft,” Wells said.
“It’s time to give some opportunities to the players on our list and we look forward to bringing some talent in the draft.”
Stringer appears headed for Essendon, but Wells did not rule out making a play for the out-of-favour Dog.
“I guess you never say never,” he said.
“At this stage we’re expecting he’ll get a deal done with the Bombers, but if it doesn’t happen in those last few days of trade period, we’ve got to be ready for any opportunity.”
Schache will not be wearing a Geelong guernsey while the future of Menzel and Lang remains up in the air.
“He knows that if he doesn’t find a new home, we’ll have a contract for him,” Wells said of Menzel.
“Darcy’s got a couple of other options he’s considering as well as staying at Geelong.”