Trade frenzy heats up
THE AFL trade dominoes are falling thick and fast, with Sydney vice-captain Dan Hannebery among the big names expected to complete their mooted moves long before next week’s deadline.
The trade period closes at 8.30pm AEDT next Wednesday but yesterday several clubs got down to business on a busy third day of the offseason frenzy.
Finding new homes were Adelaide’s Mitch McGovern (Carlton), Port Adelaide’s Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard (both North Melbourne), Swans’ Gary Rohan (Geelong), St Kilda’s Tom Hickey (West Coast), North Melbourne’s Ryan Clarke (Sydney) and Collingwood’s Alex Fasolo (Carlton).
The trades had a knock-on effect, advancing negotiations on several fronts. The Swans, who featured in the three-club deal that sent McGovern to Carlton then essentially swapped Rohan for Clarke, are now in a better position to finalise a trade for Hannebery.
He has three years to run on his current contract and is fully expected to become a Saint soon.
“We would like to think it’s close to being done,” Swans football manager Tom Harley said on AFL Trade Radio. “The list managers sat down this afternoon. We would expect something to be done shortly.”
The Saints have also been freed up to invest more time in Hannebery talks.
GWS gun Dylan Shiel confirmed on Tuesday he’d chosen Essendon ahead of St Kilda and other suitors, while the Saints offloaded Hickey on Wednesday morning.
The Eagles, desperate to beef up their ruck depth given Scott Lycett’s departure and Nic Naitanui’s knee injury, swapped pick No.39 and a future fourth-round pick in exchange for Hickey, pick No.60 and a future fourthround selection.
Melbourne’s Dom Tyson is expected to join North soon but the Demons have locked away midfielder Aaron vandenBerg, who considered a shift to Sydney before signing a contract extension that runs until the end of the 2021 season. A deal between Essendon and the Giants regarding Shiel, who has a year to run on his current contract, will require plenty of brokering.
Brisbane traded picks No.24, No.58 and No.79 to Gold Coast in exchange for selections No.32, No.41, No.44 and No.77.
The Lions are ramping up their pursuit of Fremantle’s reigning best and fairest Lachie Neale.