Powering up in bid for Horne-Francis
SOUTH Australia’s two AFL clubs are yet to make any real splash so far this trade period.
But that is set to change this week as Adelaide and Port Adelaide race against the clock to finalise some big deals.
Outside of the Power swapping pick 27, which they received as compensation for Karl Amon joining Hawthorn, from Melbourne for picks 33, 43 and 53 the two SA clubs are yet to lodge any paperwork with the league so far this trade period.
The Power are looking to secure last year’s No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, as well as West Coast premiership small forward Junior Rioli. The AFL rejected a bid by the Power to trade their future first and second rounds pick as part of a huge deal that could involve up to six clubs and would have sent HorneFrancis and Rioli to Alberton.
Clubs can trade future first-round draft picks but if they do that they have to retain the rest of their selections in that draft.
If clubs trade a future second, third or fourth-round pick they must keep their first-rounder for that year.
This could mean that the Power has to give up a player to seal the big deal.
North Melbourne asked about young gun Zak Butters but was told thanks but no thanks.
The Eagles’ questions about Dan Houston and Xavier Duursma, who North also asked about, were also met with no.
Former No.1 draft pick Bryce Gibbs, who played with Horne-Francis at South Adelaide after he called his time on his stint with the Crows, said the Power would have to give up something to get the Kangaroos young gun.
“If you’re going after highprofile talent and early picks and things, you’ve still got to give up something,” he said on SEN SA.
Riley Bonner’s manager has said his client might be on the move this trade period if an opportunity comes up for the dashing defender.
Geelong swingman Esava Ratugolea is keen to get to Port Adelaide after meeting with the Power, but the Cats have said they won’t trade him. The Power will try to convince the Cats to part with Ratugolea.
The Crows will get Izak Rankine from Gold Coast, but negotiations were unable to be settled during the first week of the trade period.
The Crows’ pick five in this year’s draft – which will fall back one spot once a bid is matched for Brisbane fatherson gun Will Ashcroft – will be the centrepiece of the trade with Gold Coast.
The delay in the Suns’ contentious Jack Bowes-pick seven ‘salary dump’ trade with Geelong is flowing on to the Rankine negotiations.
Billy Frampton wants to move to Collingwood but a deal hasn’t yet been struck with the Magpies.
It is expected Frampton will move to the Pies for a future third-round pick.
Matt Crouch could also leave West Lakes with three clubs interested in the 2017 All-Australian and Club Champion who was dropped three times this year.