WATTS UP CATS?
TRADING PLACES: Mots bound for SA as Cats meet with Demon
GEELONG has emerged as a suitor for Melbourne’s Jack Watts as both South Australian clubs prepare to fight it out for Cats free agent Steven Motlop.
Carji Greeves medallist Patrick Dangerfield yesterday said Watts, the 2008 No.1 draft pick, had enormous potential as he entered the prime of his career.
Watts met with Geelong offi- cials yesterday for preliminary discussions as the Cats complete their homework on a player capable of revamping their forward line.
The 26-year-old, contracted for two more seasons at Melbourne on a deal reported to be about $450,000 a season, wants to stay with the Demons but is reluctantly pursuing his options elsewhere at the request of his club.
Demons football manager Josh Mahoney went further earlier this week, saying Watts had not per- formed to expectations.
The Cats have joined several clubs showing interest in the key position player — he has also been linked to Sydney and Port Adelaide.
Given his current contract at the Dees, Watts would seemingly need to be offered at least a two-year deal on similar money to agree to move, something the Cats could accommodate having already cleared space in their salary cap after the retirements of Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan, coupled with the likely departure of well-paid Motlop.
Melbourne may even end up having to pay a portion of Watts’ wage at his new club.
Motlop is poised to choose between cross-town South Australian rivals Adelaide and Port Adelaide as his preferred new club.
The 26-year-old will meet Power and Crows officials this weekend.
The Power will emphasise that its program — and the game plan — will bring the best out in the enigmatic and much-maligned Motlop, who has kicked 175 goals in 135 games with the Cats since 2010.
Adelaide will offer more money as it deals with the fallout of speedster Charlie Cameron seeking a trade to Brisbane despite being under contract for next season.
Motlop has had five rival clubs — Port Adelaide, the Crows, St Kilda, West Coast and Gold Coast — seek his signature, with his value rising in September after two strong finals performances.
Watts would provide muchneeded help for key forward Tom Hawkins and allow Harry Taylor, entering the final season of his five-year contract, to return permanently to centrehalf back.
Geelong is waiting for final word from Jake Stringer’s management about where he wants to play next year, though it is widely accepted that Essendon is his preferred choice.
Having been openly pushed on to the trade table by Melbourne, the Cats should be able to negotiate a trade deal under Watts’ market value. The Cats have picks 20 and 33 in next month’s draft, and would expect a compensation pick around the second round for Motlop.
A day after winning his second-straight club best-andfairest award, Dangerfield was enthusiastic about the prospect of Watts on the team.
“When he gets the ball inside 50, you basically back him to finish the goal,” Dangerfield told AFL trade radio.