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Dylan Shiel has dropped the first bombshell of the 2018 AFL trade period, nominating Essendon as his preferred trade destination, shunning what were believed to be his three most likely suitors in Carlton, Hawthorn and St Kilda in the process.
The Bombers had previously been regarded as being out of the race to secure the Giants midfielder, with his decision to pick them over the Hawthorn’s lure of success, St Kilda’s financial offer and the ability to play for his boyhood club in Carlton considered a big surprise.
Shiel, however, is not a free agent and has another year to run on his contract. While Greater Western Sydney did give the 25-year-old their blessing to discuss his options with Victorian clubs, they made it clear in a statement they wouldn’t be giving him away.
“The Giants are prepared to discuss potential trade options with the Bombers that sees an appropriate return for the club.”
“Dylan is contracted to the Giants for the 2019 season and he will remain a Giant should a suitable trade not be reached,” they said.
The two clubs seemed to find the process of exchanging Devon Smith an amicable one last season, with GWS parting with the winger, pick 25 and a future second-round pick in exchange for pick 11 and a future third-rounder.
Like last year, this trade could prove to be the piece of thread that unravels the rest of the week’s action. All three of Shield’s unsuccessful pursuers have their eye on one of this trade period’s big fish, with the Saints chasing Sydney’s Dan Hannebery, the Blues looking at Adelaide’s Mitch McGovern and Hawthorn interested in Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard.
Now that all three clubs know they’re no longer in the Shiel sweepstakes, you’d imagine their attention will turn squarely to the next deals on the block.
Dylan Shiel wants to leave the Giants. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Shiel’s decision was the biggest news in an otherwise slow day on the trade front. The only official transaction to take place was Scott Lycett’s move to Port Adelaide being formalised after the Eagles finally declined to match the Power’s offer to the restricted free agent.
Rumours circled wildly overnight, with some speculating the premiership-winning ruckman had backflipped on his desire to return to South Australia, while others simply suggested West Coast were deadly serious about matching the offer.
In the end, Lycett made his way to Alberton – leaving his now-former side in trouble next year in the ruck stocks.
Fremantle made a bit of a splash earlier in the morning, with reports that incoming football boss Peter Bell wants to move troubled forward Harley Bennell out of the club, despite the former Gold Coast star signing a one-year extension in August. Freo are apparently prepared to delist Bennell if they can’t find a suitable partner.
Bennell was allegedly a no-show at the Dockers’ best and fairest evening which, if true, would be another entry in a long list of indiscretions and misdemeanours in his AFL career.
Alex Fasolo’s long-rumoured move to Carlton was expected to be completed today, pending a medical, but never eventuated.
It is speculated the Blues wanted to let the disappointment of missing out on Shiel settle before unveiling the soon-to-be former Collingwood player as their latest signing.
The last bit of news for the day, which we must stress is little more than a whisper, is that Steven May had reportedly requested a trade from Gold Coast to Melbourne.
Given the Demons had already claimed they didn’t have room for both May and Jesse Hogan in the side, you would have to think some progress on the Hogan-to-Fremantle front had been made for that development to have any truth to it.
Steven May. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
There are plenty of other potential trades bubbling under the surface, although little to no public progress was made today.
Port Adelaide offered vague statements on Chad Wingard’s future, admitting they had recevied offers, while also denying the superstar had requested a move.
Rory Lobb’s requested trade to Fremantle will likely have to wait until they resolve the potential addition of Hogan and the potential loss of Lachie Neale to Fremantle.
It was rumoured today that the Dockers had asked for Eric Hipwood in return for their star on-baller, although this is not expected to be seriously entertained by the Lions.
The Lions’ pursuit of Western Bulldogs defender Marcus Adams was also not the radar today, with the Dogs previously claiming they simply won’t entertain Brisbane on this one.
With Andrew Gaff officially sticking with the Eagles, questions were once again asked as to whether North Melbourne would restart their pursuit of GWS’ Josh Kelly, although this too went nowhere.
Karl Amon’s manager reiterated his client’s desire to facilitate a move to Hawthorn or St Kilda. He also noted interest in Jon Ceglar from rivals, although said he’d be surprised with Ceglar wasn’t at the Hawks next year.