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Yesterday’s trading action might not have seen a lot of deals done, but it provided what might turn out to be one of the biggest twists of this year’s trade period.
In the only trade of the day, Jake Melksham joined Melbourne, with the Demons giving up pick 25 to secure the midfielder, who they’re planning to play off half-back.
Later in the day Brisbane confirmed they would not match the offer that Matthew Leuenberger accepted from Essendon on Monday, seeing Leuenberger officially become a Bomber on a three-year deal.
However the real story of yesterday’s trading action was the news that Hawthorn have a strong interest in out-of-contract Bomber Jake Carlisle, and have engineered a deal that the Bombers find more appealing than any offer so far.
Carlisle nominated St Kilda as his preferred destination earlier this month but has reportedly indicated that he would be willing to play for the Hawks, should a trade to St Kilda prove unworkable.
It’s a three-way trade the Hawks have proposed, which would see them give Jed Anderson to North Melbourne in exchange for pick 15 with the Kangaroos to also receive Essendon’s third round pick, currently pick 41.
The Hawks would then have command of picks 18 and 15, both first round selections, which they would trade to the Bombers in exchange for Carlisle.
Talks between Essendon and St Kilda over a Carlisle trade have been unproductive but the Bombers have reportedly agreed to the trade in principle, if they can convince Carlisle to make Hawthorn his preference.
The Bombers have steadfastly refused to take anything other than St Kilda’s first round draft pick, pick 5, in exchange for Carlisle, while the Saints have been just as insistent about not putting it on the table.
However the Saints will now be considering their options and weighing up whether or not to offer up the prized pick in order to secure their target.
Personally, I’m a little suspicious of the Hawks’ offer. It may be a monumental attempt from Essendon to spook the Saints into putting pick 5 on the table.
After all, the linchpin of the deal – securing pick 15 from North Melbourne – seems to be a high price for the Kangaroos to pay for Anderson, who has played only ten games in three years and was not a high draft selection himself.
Still, there’s a grain of truth in everything they say, and the Hawks offer absolutely could be the real deal. Surely they would have interest in a player like Carlisle as a partner to James Frawley, and North could be confident enough in Anderson to make a big deal.
Richmond also reportedly has put in an offer of their first and second round picks (12 and 31) for Carlisle, while Brisbane have also indicated interest in him.
How will this one play out? Hard to say, but it has become one of the most entertaining storylines of the trade period.
There was also a rumour being reported that the Bombers were looking at trading picks 23 and 25 (1571 points) to Greater Western Sydney for pick 8 (1551 points) since it would be a net gain for the Giants as they look to secure their academy prospects.
I don’t think the rumour has legs though – while the Giants would be looking at that sort of deal, 20 points is really a negligible gain, and no doubt other clubs will come forward with bigger gains to offer them if they really believe pick 8 is on the table.
In other news it appears that despite ruling out a trade, the Brisbane Lions will backflip and begin discussions with Collingwood regarding James Aish.
The Magpies are expected to close a deal soon for Adam Treloar which will see them give up their first round picks in this and next year’s draft, but they will receive a second round pick in return from the Giants. The deal is likely to be announced today.
Collingwood has also been announced as the preferred destination of Melbourne’s Jeremy Howe, with a trade that will see Howe swapped for Ben Kennedy, possibly with some picks to also change hands, appearing most likely.
The Demons are keen to send Howe to the Gold Coast if possible as the Suns have offered an upgrade of Melbourne’s pick 6 to their own pick 3 as part of the package, but it’s believed Howe is set on going to Collingwood.
The Magpies however are set to lose Paul Seedsman, who has nominated Adelaide as his preferred destination for a trade. It’s believed the Crows will offer up pick 32 to secure him.
All this, along with the departure of Nathan Freeman, could see Collingwood with as many as four second round picks in this year’s draft – or three in this draft and a future one for 2016 – which is likely to form the basis of a trade with Brisbane for Aish.
Queensland-born defender Adam Oxley could also be part of the trade with the Lions.
The Lions are also reportedly set to give their 2016 third round selection to Geelong in exchange for Cats Jarrad Jansen and Josh Walker.
The Lions are looking to hold on to as many picks as they can this year in order to afford their academy draftees, hence why they are offering up a future pick.
It’s possible that Geelong will then send that future pick to Gold Coast in exchange for ruckman Zac Smith. The Suns are likely to have some academy prospects coming through next year, which would make a future pick handy for them.
In other Brisbane news, North Melbourne midfielder Ryan Bastinac and Richmond defender David Astbury are both reportedly flying north today to tour the Lions’ facilities.
Funnily enough the gym at the Lions’ headquarters was flooded yesterday, so it may not be the best of timing!
Do you like our new water feature? ? pic.twitter.com/Pr2pIVEnHb
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 14, 2015
Essendon are reportedly showing some interest in Eagles midfielder Brant Colledge who has played only three games so far in his career as a result of limited opportunity. However the deal may be dependent on what happens to Eagle Matt Rosa, who is also exploring his options.
Ben Lennon signed a two-year deal with Richmond yesterday that rules him out of moving clubs this trade period. However the Tigers are reportedly getting closer to a deal for Chris Yarran.
Hawthorn have reportedly shown some interest in recruiting delisted Melbourne tall Jack Fitzpatrick, most likely as a delisted free agent.
North Melbourne’s Michael Firrito signed a one-year deal yesterday, taking his name off the list of free agents.