The Jake Lever trade has given Adelaide the ammunition, but the Crows maintain they won’t attempt to pull the trigger on an AFL trade for Carlton star Bryce Gibbs.
After a quiet start to the trade period, paperwork for the first three trades was lodged with the AFL on Thursday.
Nearly two weeks of acrimony came to an end when Lever officially became a Melbourne player, Greater Western Sydney sent Devon Smith to Essendon and Port Adelaide traded Jarman Impey to Hawthorn.
The Bombers remain a key player at this year’s trade period after they sent pick No.11, with a swap of later picks, to the Giants for Smith, with the club still hopeful of landing Adam Saad and Jake Stringer.
But Adelaide have four first-round draft picks over the next two years following the Lever trade – No.10 and 16 this year and their own and the Demons’ first call in 2018.
With the likelihood of another first-round pick coming from Brisbane for want-away speedster Charlie Cameron, speculation is swirling that the Crows will make a last-ditch bid to land Gibbs.
“There’s still some noise there but nothing has changed from our point of view,” Crows list manager Justin Reid said of a potential move for Gibbs after the Lever trade was lodged.
“We’ll get on with the next fortnight and see how things play out.”
After last year’s failed attempt to trade for Gibbs, Adelaide were widely expected to have another crack at the 28-year-old, but Reid said club and player had moved on on the opening day of the trade window.
Reid may be playing his cards close to his chest but the Crows almost certainly aren’t done with trade proceedings.
The club has an offer before Geelong free agent Steve Motlop, who they hope to lure ahead of other suitors Port Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Cameron’s camp have been steadfast in their desire to secure a move to the Lions.
Reid has maintained his poker face stance – that Cameron is a contracted and required player next year – but put a slightly different spin on the situation when he spoke to Adelaide radio station FIVEaa on Thursday night.
“He is a required player but in speaking to Charlie and his management we’re certainly very clear on his situation as they are on our position,” he said.
“Brisbane have had some dialogue with us and obviously you’ve got his mum, dad and brother living in Perth, so there’s been some strong interest from other clubs as well.
“We’ll see how that plays out.”
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