Sydney Swans say trading Aliir was the 'right call'

The Swans are also reportedly dealing with salary cap issues – a subject Sydney's executive general manager of football, Charlie Gardiner, would not be drawn on – and Aliir's departure could help alleviate any pressure.

Gardiner said the Swans would not have entertained a trade for Aliir had he not requested one but, when he did, the club negotiated what they believe is a solid outcome that strengthens their hand for current and future draft picks as they look to bring in an established ruckman and two promising academy talents.

"We try not to look at these things in isolation, but as part of a broader strategy that goes into all of these decisions, and we weigh up everything from list sizes to needs to points and draft picks and the profile of your list," he said.

"All of these things come into play when you're considering a trade like this and weighing all those things up. We thought it was the right call for our club and where we're at right now."

The Swans hold draft picks three, 25, 58, 62 and 82, and their full complement of 2021 selections – in addition to Port's second-round pick for Aliir, who played 64 games across five seasons in the red and white.

Sydney were intent on preserving draft points to match any rival bids on academy prospects Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden at next month's draft, where they are likely to use their No.3 selection on highly rated defender Denver Grainger-Barras from WAFL club Swan Districts, who looms as a long-term intercept prospect.

Tom McCartin's emergence as a viable key defensive option also made the Swans feel comfortable with their back line stocks, Gardiner said.

The Swans will now focus on sealing a deal with the Eagles before the 7.30pm deadline for Hickey, who has also played for St Kilda and Gold Coast, and reportedly wants to return to the eastern seaboard for family reasons – although Gardiner said they had other irons in the fire, too.

"We'd like to bring in a ruckman," he said. "Kinnear [Beatson], our list manager, is working with his team on options that are out there to bring in.

"Tom's one of those and I know Kinnear's in discussions with the team at West Coast and we'll see how that progresses, but there's a few options there. We'll see how it plays out."

Meanwhile, cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney are still yet to come to an agreement with Geelong for Jeremy Cameron, having turned down an offer of two first-round picks for last year's Coleman Medal winner.

The Cats have ruled out sending a player to the Giants, meaning it will likely take three first-rounders to satisfy them.

"We've had good discussions with the GWS people ... both parties are hopeful that [a trade] can happen," Geelong list manager Stephen Wells told SEN radio.