Demons go for double dip deal

Brown and Smith targeted

MELBOURNE will attempt to pull off a double- play for Ben Brown and Isaac Smith in the trade period to help significantly bolster its scoring power for next season.

The Demons are strong contenders for full forward Brown, pictured, and wingman Smith but will strongly consider moving on swingman Tom McDonald and back- up ruckman Braydon Preuss.

And veteran Nathan Jones has agreed to play on for a 16th season next year.

Smith, 31, is torn between staying at the Hawks on a twoyear deal where he would finish as a one- club premiership hero, or accepting a three- year contract to add speed and polish on a wing at Melbourne.

Geelong is also in the mix for Smith.

The Demons want Brown, 27, and could yet become the only club to make a meaningful bid for the goal kicker on the back of a poor year hampered by a serious knee injury.

Essendon is also considering making a play but has not banged down the door for Brown.

If Melbourne wins Brown’s signature, the club plans to play the goal kicker and Weideman in the same forward line, while the versatile Luke Jackson would support Max Gawn in the ruck.

Weideman, 23, had an excellent year in attack for Melbourne but could have done with some aerial support late in the season as the Dees narrowly missed the finals.

The Demons could offer a second or future second- round pick for Brown, while Smith would come for nothing as an unrestricted free agent.

Smith still feels a strong emotional attachment to Hawthorn where he has won three premierships and has taken time making up his mind.

Brown’s arrival at Melbourne would most likely end McDonald’s time under Simon Goodwin as Brown would take his spot in the forward line.

McDonald, 28, has struggled with form over the past two seasons and lost his spot in Melbourne’s senior side in Round 13 this year.

The swingman has emerged as a replacement option for Jeremy Cameron at Greater Western Sydney if the Coleman Medallist, as expected, makes a move to Geelong.

The Giants are also considering Fremantle’s Jesse Hogan.

The Demons could package up Preuss and McDonald in the same trade deal with the Giants in a move that may net the Demons a first- round pick for the pair from GWS.

GWS want multiple firstround picks from the Cats for Cameron but Geelong remains reluctant to give them up.

It is understood there had been little ground made on a Cameron deal between the Cats and Giants.

The Giants are also set to receive a first- round free agency compensation pick for Zac Williams, who has chosen to continue his career at Carlton.

If the Demons are unable to prise Smith, North Melbourne’s Jared Polec will be a consideration but his big salary is a significant hurdle to any trade deal.

Melbourne is also excited about developing wingman Oskar Baker who could command a regular senior spot in the midfield.