Clubs to tread carefully in trade week

Chris Judd’s not available, but recruiting conservatism is. They’re the two compelling factors which should make clubs tread carefully in AFL trade week, which starts tomorrow.

Where the beginning of the silly season usually prompts club officials to dream big and consider just about any deal as a way of bolstering player lists and premiership chances, the 2008 version is expected to veer on the safety-first course.

Judd provided the marquee trade last year given he had confirmed beforehand he was leaving West Coast, which allowed Carlton officials to make an immediate beeline to the Eagles camp to begin the successful negotiations.

But two recent re-signings have denied the coming trade week of major star power, as the Brisbane Lions last month secured powerhouse forward Jonathan Brown, while gun midfielder Daniel Kerr last week re-committed to West Coast.

Brown and Kerr had been touted as potential trades throughout 2008 due to their stalled contract talks.

Collingwood star Alan Didak was another touted as a possible swap after his part in the drink-driving fiasco in August, but he also appears destined to stay with his club after being given another show of support by Magpies president Eddie McGuire over the weekend.

With Brown, Kerr and Didak staying put, the best player potentially on offer entering trade week is Sydney half-forward Ryan O’Keefe, who is considering a return to Victoria.

The Swans are keen to retain the 2006 All-Australian, but O’Keefe could be set for a straight swap for Essendon’s Andrew Lovett, whose disciplinary problems have forced the Bombers to put him on the trade table, and who has been pursued by Sydney.

Other experienced players likely to come up for considerations include West Coast ruckman Mark Seaby, his Fremantle counterpart Robert Warnock, North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Harris and Hawthorn forward Tim Boyle, who could not break into the Hawks’ premiership side.

Although the likes of O’Keefe, Lovett and Warnock offer excellent value, clubs will caution their considerations knowing they must make every recruiting decision a winner over the next two months.

Next month’s 2008 national draft will be the last uncompromised selection pool from the next four, as the Gold Coast consortium will be given unmatched access to the national drafts in 2009-10.

The Gold Coast will be granted access to 10 elite 17-year-olds before the 2009 draft and in the 2010 draft will have nine of the first 15 selections, before the franchise is admitted into the AFL in 2011.

The Western Sydney team is expected to be granted similar concessions before it is admitted into the competition in 2012.

The concessions available to the new teams from 2009 onwards and the talent on offer next month mean clubs will be desperate to hang on to their first and second-round picks, which could have an impact on the number of players traded this week.

Melbourne have the No.1 pick in the national draft courtesy of their wooden-spoon finish in 2008.

A club-by-club preview of AFL trade week.

ADELAIDE
The Crows will again be on the look-out for a key forward given their scoring limitations, which could make North Melbourne’s Corey Jones an attractive option. Trade bait could include winger Brent Reilly and defender Graham Johncock.

BRISBANE LIONS
The re-signing of Jonathan Brown prevented the forward entering the week as the major target of rival clubs. New coach Michael Voss will be thinking long-term, but midfielders Jed Adcock and Michael Rischitelli have been linked with returns to Victoria.

CARLTON
Carlton’s interest in acquiring ruckman Robert Warnock from Fremantle will mean giving up something if the Dockers stay true to their tough talking. Most of Carlton’s young guns are off limits, but midfielders Steven Browne and Jordan Russell could be considered as bait.

COLLINGWOOD
Alan Didak appears set to stay a Magpie after being publicly supported by president Eddie McGuire despite the forward’s part in the drink-driving fiasco in August. Heath Shaw also appears safe, but his brother Rhyce could be on the move, while Ben Johnson is another possible trade.

ESSENDON
Can command a good price for the talented Andrew Lovett. The Bombers have tired of the speedy winger’s disciplinary problems, but would expect a draft pick in the range of 15-25 as adequate compensation. Sydney’s interest in Lovett could make the Bombers a leading fancy to get Swan Ryan O’Keefe in return.

FREMANTLE
The Dockers face another big off-field test on how they handle approaches for Warnock. The ruckman wants to return to Victoria and at least three clubs are interested. Experienced midfielder Josh Carr is another who wants out of the west, having reportedly bought a home in Adelaide.

GEELONG
Just how will Geelong react to their grand-final defeat? Coach Mark Thompson said the Cats would not act rashly, but forward Travis Varcoe’s name has kept coming as trade bait since their defeat by Hawthorn. Other possible trades include David Johnson, Kane Tenace and Shannon Byrnes, who were starved of opportunities in 2008.

HAWTHORN
The premiership team is likely to be a minor player in trade week, but forward Tim Boyle could command some currency after a good 2007, but only six games this year. Midfielder Tim Clarke is experienced, but could not cement a regular spot this season.

MELBOURNE
The Demons are interested in getting Warnock to play alongside his brother, Matthew. But Melbourne’s recruiting focus this year will be at the draft, where they have picks one, 17 and 19. Experienced ruckman Jeff White wants to continue his career, but it would be unlikely another club would punt on the 31-year-old.

NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos could be a big player in trade week given several players have been speculated as potential trades. Jones, silky midfielder Daniel Wells and Lachlan Hansen, a No.3 pick in the national draft, have all been mooted. Coach Dean Laidley has confirmed onballer Daniel Harris wants out.

PORT ADELAIDE
Breaking with the norm, coach Mark Williams hasn’t ruled out trading away the club’s first-round draft pick, No.4, which should encourage plenty of discussion. Midfielders Greg Bentley and Adam Thomson could find themselves new homes.

RICHMOND
The Tigers reportedly lead the race for West Coast ruckman Mark Seaby, one of several intriguing decisions involving the club. Key-position player Graham Polak has been cited as a possible trade given the emergence for Mitch Morton and Cleve Hughes as marking forwards this year, while Kayne Pettifer has also been touted as bait. Both are coming off serious injuries.

ST KILDA
Having built their list around high draft picks for most of this decade, is it time for the Saints to offload some of those players who have been under-performing, while they still have value? Midfielder Nick Dal Santo, tall forward Justin Koschitzke and flanker Xavier Clarke are those considered bait.

SYDNEY
The Swans should again attract top billing in trade week given half-forward O’Keefe is considering a return to Victoria. Coach Paul Roos has already indicated the club will again trade to stay in touch with the top contenders. Lovett and Seaby are also on the radar, while the Swans must decide on Nick Davis’s future.

WEST COAST
The Eagles warded off a potential raid on their prized midfielder by signing Daniel Kerr to a new contract. But Seaby has indicated he wants a change of scenery to prove his worth. Coach John Worsfold is likely to be satisfied with more draft picks given they already have numbers two, 18 and 20.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Midfielder Farren Ray wants to be traded to another Melbourne club, which could help the Bulldogs in their pursuit of a marking forward. But coach Rodney Eade has already ruled out making a play for Sydney spearhead Barry Hall.

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