AFL trades: Where the big deals sit after a frantic week
Footy season didn't stop when West Coast beat Collingwood in this year's grand final. If anything media coverage has been more frenzied since, as trade and player movement speculation swirls.
Last Monday the AFL trade period officially opened and it will close on Wednesday night. After five days of behind-closed-doors meetings between clubs, players and managers things are starting to become clearer. Here's where all the big deals are at:
Lachie Neale
The star on-baller has made it clear to Fremantle that he wants out of Western Australia. Brisbane is his preferred destination and it's likely their No.5 pick will head to the Dockers for Neale. However, the Dockers are digging their heels in and are either holding out for a better deal or are trying to convince Neale to stay.
Jesse Hogan
Fremantle have courted WA-born Hogan, who plays with Melbourne, for years. The key forward and the Demons have been as open as ever about a move west this year, but on Friday the Dockers sensationally announced they no longer had interest in Hogan. That's either a stunning about-face, or a ploy to drive Melbourne's asking price down.
What's clear is that the Hogan and Neale deal are connected. Freo, you would think, need Brisbane's No.5 pick for Neale to get the Hogan deal done.
Steven May
Melbourne are furious at Freo's behaviour. They want to use the pick they get for Hogan in a deal to woo Steven May from the Gold Coast. May wants to leave the Suns, and it looks all but certain that he will. However, little has moved because of the Hogan-Neale impasse and because Collingwood seem to be out of the race, having re-signed Darcy Moore. Whispers suggest the Western Bulldogs are keen on May too.
Tom Langdon
Collingwood's Langon will decide on his future this week. He can take a multi-year, big-money offer from Sydney, or stay at Collingwood. Freo are also reportedly keen, however Langdon toured the Swans' facilities last week.
Tom Scully
Scully will be a victim of the GWS Giants' cap squeeze and Hawthorn are poised to swoop for him, using only a late draft pick to acquire the powerful running winger. There are concerns about his ankles, but he looms as the steal of trade period. St Kilda also keen.
Dylan Shiel
Shiel has also been pushed out of the Giants due to cap problems. He nominated Essendon as his club of choice, who beat out Carlton, St Kilda and Hawthorn.
Chad Wingard/Ryan Burton
Wingard wants out of South Australia despite it being his home state and he has chosen to play for Hawthorn. Port Adelaide will play hardball, and they have identified Hawk Ryan Burton as the player they want in return with picks. Burton doesn't want to be shipped off to SA, but he has little choice if the two clubs choose to do a deal this way.
Done deals:
- Tom Lynch (Gold Coast to Richmond)
- Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs to Geelong)
- Mitch McGovern (Adelaide Crows to Carlton)
- Jared Polec (Port Adelaide to North Melbourne)
- Dan Hannebery (Sydney Swans to St Kilda)
- Will Setterfield (GWS to Carlton)
- Scott Lycett (West Coast to Port Adelaide)
- Gary Rohan (Sydney Swans to Geelong)
Click here for the full list of deals after the first week of the AFL trade period.
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