Dangerfield will be a Cat: Connors

Adelaide should take the AFL’s compensation pick and allow Patrick Dangerfield to walk unhindered to Geelong, according to the star player’s manager.

Dangerfield, 25, has expressed his desire to join the Cats as a restricted free agent, which would net the Crows pick 14 in compensation from the AFL.

Adelaide, however, have vowed to force a better deal out of Geelong for the sublimely talented midfielder.

“I’m an advocate of free agency and in my view I think they should take the compensation pick,” player manager Paul Connors told the AFL website.

“Whether that will happen or not, I’m not sure.”

The compensation pick on offer would be a poor return for the Crows for losing a player of Dangerfield’s quality but Connors pointed to Lance Franklin’s move to Sydney two years ago to back up his position.

“Hawthorn got pick (19) for Buddy and have gone on to win two flags,” he said.

Connors is hopeful a suitable trade deal can be struck, but is adamant that Dangerfield will get his wish to play for the Cats and won’t rule out making that happen via the draft.

Dangerfield is one of a host of players looking to switch to a new club in the looming trade and free agency periods.

Swans star Lewis Jetta and out-of-favour Brisbane Lion Jack Redden have both made it clear they want to join West Coast.

“You have to have more than one or two irons in the fire in the trade period, because you can’t always get exactly the players you’re after,” Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said on Monday.

“(But) we’re interested in those two blokes for sure.”

Nisbett ruled out any interest in troubled Gold Coast star Harley Bennell, with Fremantle the 23-year-old’s best chance to return to his home state after Richmond pulled out of the race to secure his services.

Carlton are set to be a key player in the trade period with Chris Yarran and Lachie Henderson both seeking fresh starts elsewhere.

The Tigers are keen to add Yarran to their mix, while Henderson is hoping to move to Geelong, with the Blues intent on securing a first-round pick for each player.

“Let’s make it very, very clear that (Yarran) is a contracted player so we’ll be fighting tooth-and-nail for the best possible pick for Chris because he is a quality player,” Carlton football manager Andrew McKay told the AFL’s website. “We want a first-round pick. Richmond are baulking at that by the sound of it, but that’s just all part of the negotiation process.”

New Essendon coach John Worsfold said that he will consult with his list management team before deciding whether to attempt to persuade Jake Carlisle and Jake Melksham, who have both requested trades, to remain with the club.