AFL trade news and rumours Day 2 wrap: Jake Stringer, Josh Schache, Bryce Gibbs, Jake Lever

The Essendon Bombers have got the nod from all three of Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad, with Stringer’s people confirming today that the Bulldog wants to be a Bomber.

Now comes the hard part – the Dons must do deals for all three, and they believe they can do it without sending away Aaron Francis, who has asked for a trade him to South Australia.

Essendon have conceded that they will need to give up their first-round pick in this year’s draft, which is currently pick No.11 overall. The Bulldogs have asked for it in a straight deal for Stringer, but this seems unlikely.

Also potentially on the table will be their second-round pick this year, pick No.28, and either their 2018 first or second round pick.

The onus is essentially on Port Adelaide or Adelaide, if they want Francis, to present Essendon with a deal that convinces them to let him go.

My advice to them would be this – work out something you could give to Gold Coast that they’d be happy with for Adam Saad, and then turn it into a three-way deal with the Bombers. The same approach might work with Devon Smith and the Giants, but probably not Jake Stringer and the Bulldogs.

(AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Adelaide certainly have some room to get flexible and look at potential targets given they’ve officially ruled out another play for Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs, acknowledging that Gibbs is happy at the Blues and stating they’re moving on from the deal.

A potential deal for Jake Lever to depart the club is still at something of a standoff however with the Crows demanding two first-round picks from Melbourne, while Melbourne only want to offer their first and second-round picks this year.

While the negotiations themselves don’t seem to have progressed a great deal, it is reported that the clubs are a bit closer to being able to have a cordial discussion than they were last week, when the trade seemed destined to descend into bitter feud.

Adelaide also have Charlie Cameron wanting out of the club but they have flatly ruled out trading him this year. Of course, they wouldn’t be the first club to break their stance on that kind of ruling, so watch this space.

All things considered there’s a good chance Adelaide find themselves with picks 10, 16 and 18 in this year’s draft and possibly any extra first-round next year too – that’ll allow them to do some real damage either in the draft or at the trade table.

(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Josh Schache looks more likely than not to be playing at a Victorian club next year, but exactly where is hard to say at the moment.

Brisbane and Schache have mutually agreed to find a trade for the homesick key forward if a fair deal can be reached, but a serious suitor for his service is yet to emerge.

Richmond, St Kilda and Essendon have already ruled themselves out – Richmond don’t have the room, St Kilda have key forwards enough already, and Essendon will have their hands full enough this trade period.

I’d wager that Collingwood, Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn are the clubs to really keep an eye on with this one, but anything could happen depending on just how low a price the Lions are willing to charge.

(AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Jack Watts seems to have narrowed his options down to either Port Adelaide or Geelong, with the former perhaps the more likely, but Melbourne say he hasn’t informed them of a preferred destination just yet.

GWS have ruled out any chance of Adam Tomlinson being traded home to Victoria this year, the Giants saying the contracted key defender is flat out not on the table, not even if St Kilda put up a top-ten pick.

Kurt Tippett’s future is unclear with Sydney admitting they have an “open mind” to any offers for him this year. He’s been linked to a move to the Gold Coast Suns where former Swans assistant Stuart Dew was last week named senior coach.

Fremantle have said they have no interest in Daniel Menzel, throwing his future in doubt as the unrestricted free agent doesn’t appear to have a clear suitor. He may have no choice but to accept a small deal at Geelong.

Billy Hartung is no guarantee to remain at Hawthorn in 2018, with the Hawks admitting that his future is up in the air.