Trade D-Day for Motlop

Adelaide on the agenda for Cats star

In-demand free agent Steven Motlop will be left to choose between a super offer of more than $600,000a-season at Adelaide – or less money but stronger off-field links at Port Adelaide.

Motlop will return from Darwin today to meet Crows officials as the AFL trade period formally opens at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Motlop, 26, was courted by the Power on Friday when the hot race for the midfielder-forward was reduced to four clubs – Crows, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Geelong.

The midfielder is a restricted free agent, allowing Geelong to have the final say. But with the Crows offering more than $600,000a-year, the Cats will let Motlop take up his free-agency rights.

Adelaide is determined to secure the 135-game, 175-goal star to cover the impending loss of contracted speedster Charlie Cameron – and to save face amid the increasing questions on why the Crows regularly lose valued players.

Adelaide has Cameron and uncontracted defender Jake Lever seeking exits from West Lakes. Cameron, who is on contract for next season, and Lever want trades to Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.

Adelaide’s asking price for Lever is two first-round draft picks while the Demons are prepared to offer a first and a second-round call.

Adelaide will inevitably ask again for contracted Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs – and again learn the Blues will not release the 28-year-old South Australian unless the Crows offer a super trade. He still has two years to serve on his fiveyear contract.

Port Adelaide has Brisbane free-agent Tom Rockliff ready to sign a contract.

The Power has conceded free-agent utility Jackson Trengove to the Western Bulldogs.

There are four Port Adelaide players who will draw attention today.

Contracted forward Jarman Impey has Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs offering him a go-home move to Victoria.

Midfielder Brendon Ah Chee is increasingly likely to join West Coast where he had a medical last week.

Contracted ruckman Matthew Lobbe, who earned life membership at the Power this year, has Queensland clubs Brisbane and Gold Coast offering the prospect of more game time while Port Adelaide’s ruck unit is commanded by All-Australian and club champion Patrick Ryder.

Specialist forward Aaron Young has Gold Coast to consider while being without contract and facing less game time at the Power.