DEES TO SET UP FOR TILT AT SUN
PIES NOT ONLY CLUB CHASING DEFENDER
MELBOURNE wants two first-round draft picks in exchange for superstar spearhead Jesse Hogan to boost its hopes of landing Gold Coast’s Steven May.
Hogan, 23, is widely expected to ask for a trade back home to a West Australian club, with Fremantle leading West Coast in the race for the goal kicker.
Fremantle has pick No.5 and could secure pick No.4 from Brisbane as well in exchange for Lachie Neale, to put together as part of a highpriced package for Hogan.
The Demons have put a high price on the full-forward and will only do the deal on the contracted big man if they can use the picks to help fill a void at the other end of the ground.
Collingwood, which has pick No.17 (before compensation), has loomed large for May all season to help beefup its own defensive unit.
But Hogan’s departure would most likely catapult Melbourne into the box seat to land the Suns’ skipper if it can secure one or two earlier choices from a WA club for Hogan.
It means the Pies may have to switch targets and instead zero in on Western Bulldogs’ full-back Marcus Adams, who is contracted but weighing up a move to leave the kennel.
Melbourne’s back line was pumelled in the preliminary final loss to premier West Coast in Perth and need another strong body to support full-back Oscar McDonald and injured interceptor Jake Lever.
May is contracted for next season but seems destined to leave Queensland after seven seasons if Gold Coast can strike a suitable deal for the 193cm defender.
The Demons have made clear they will only trade Hogan to the Dockers or Eagles if they can land two early picks, believing he is one of the game’s most talented and damaging forwards.
After 71 games, Hogan averages more possessions (15) and goals (2.1) a game than Geelong’s Tom Hawkins (11 and 1.2), Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt (11 and 2) and Suns’ spearhead Tom Lynch (14 and 1.4) at the same point in their careers.
Melbourne is confident it has a balanced forward mix, including emerging youngster Sam Weideman, gun tall Tom McDonald and tough utility Jake Melksham.
Hogan was in All-Australian form this season before a foot injury ended his season.
Hogan also battled a cancer scare and lost his father last year.
Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones said he would support any decision from Hogan to be closer to family in WA for 2019.
“Jesse has had a lot of stuff going on in his life and I haven’t broached it (trade) with him, but whether it’s a fresh start and that’s what he is after (that is fine),” Jones said.