Day 5 was yet another slow one on the AFL movement front as the trade period failed to produce any major deals – Tim Kelly aside – yet again.
The only trade of the day was a pick swap between GWS and St Kilda, the Saints shipping off picks 6 and 59 to the Giants in exchange for two first-rounders; 12 and 18.
While it gives GWS an option to bid on academy player Tom Green, it allows the Saints a little more flexibility to pursue multiple trade targets – of which there are many for the club.
However, it may complicate a potential deal for Fremantle’s Brad Hill, who has requested a trade to St Kilda. Prior to the pick swap being confirmed, it had emerged that the Dockers were seeking pick 6 and a 2020 first-rounder in exchange for Hill. He still has two years left to run on his contract, and it’s been widely reported that the deal with GWS is a case of the Saints calling Fremantle’s bluff on their valuation of the star winger.
One player who won’t be moving this trade period is Essendon small forward Orazio Fantasia. Fantasia had been expected to request a trade to Port Adelaide, but it’s now emerged that he’ll be staying at Windy Hill in 2020.
Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch, who is reportedly seeking a million-dollar-a-year deal, will also be staying put after being linked to a potential trade away from the Crows. He’s off contract at the end of next season, when he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
Veteran Hawk Grant Birchall was the one player who completed a move today. The four-time premiership player, who was an unrestricted free agent, has inked a one-year deal with the Brisbane Lions which has the potential to be extended into 2021.
Port Adelaide’s Dougal Howard is the latest player to request a trade to St Kilda, although the Power have insisted he remains a part of their plans for next season.
“Dougal is aware that he is a highly valued, required player at Port Adelaide,” the club said in a statement.
“Given he is contracted to the end of 2022, the club will only entertain a trade with St Kilda if it is in our best interests to do so.
“We will discuss the situation with the Saints but if a suitable outcome for our club cannot be reached, Dougal is well aware that he will remain a Port Adelaide player in 2020.”
Kane Cornes has claimed the Power would seek a first-round draft pick for Howard if they were to trade him.
After seemingly edging closer to a move back to Carlton, there has been no development on the Eddie Betts trade. The popular small forward is likely to complete his return to the Blues in the coming days.
There was also no movement around Jack Steven’s proposed move to Geelong, with St Kilda and the Cats still yet to agree on a suitable exchange for the midfielder.
Some rumours were doing the rounds about Paddy Ryder potentially considering a switch to Carlton, but those have now been dismissed. Ryder has requested a trade to the Saints.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Scrolling through these comments, and the Likes, it is obvious that every Freo fan (and West Aussies) love the idea that Hill might stay. I am certain Longmuir, Bell and co want him to stay too. The Eastern States critics seem to think Freo want to do the trade and, hence their criticism.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Why? Freo have always wanted to keep him. Calling for overs is the way to do that. Is 4 Brownlow votes a comment on Hill or the umpires?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They don't need to tell The Saints that they have blown it. The Saints realized it was all too expensive...both the trade cost and the contract offer. They knew that getting rid of #6 would end that trade. I'd say they have left Hill in the lurch. Not that Freo will mind.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Worst case scenario? I'm struggling to imagine a better case scenario than Bill still being at Freo next year.
Freo
Fremantle should tell Brad Hill that they value him far more than the Saints do. Freo should keep him for 2020 and then perhaps trade him with still another year on his contract. Fremantle wanted pick 6 but the Saints have traded that to GWS. Peter Bell should tell the Saints they have blown any chance of a deal for the 2020 season. Having said this I am worried Freo will give in and allow a deal to go through.
berrlins
Roar Pro
it has probably been written before but pick 6 would have done it for Hill, slightly overs but he is 2 years contracted, I don't understand St Kildas need to swap it for lower picks.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Man they’re heaping it on Bell and referring to last year, far out he got what he wanted last trade period and probably will this year, the AFL media isn’t bright enough to see what he’s doing and he does it well imo.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd love someone to explain why not getting #6 is such a tragedy for our hopes in picking up Liam Henry. Some of the journos are claiming 'desperation', 'game over' and other apocalyptic terms. I don't get that one.
Roar
Guest
The Saints have to pay massive money to get anyone otherwise they miss out. Give me a spell he’s worth 2 first rounders. He polled 4 votes in the Brownlow ???? Freo being Fwits!
Johnno
Guest
Why will Freo cave in.....they haven’t in the past. His value to the Saints is in how much they are willing to pay him........if you’re going to pay someone $900k per year you must think they are pretty good and big, big value for your club. I would think that means you have to pay a bit to get that player....pretty standard logic.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
As I said my opinion on a winger and the only position he can play tells me he isn’t worth a top 15 pick. Carlton may pay with a pick 9 to get Papley and may get a returning pick in the 20s, but Papley can play forward and run through the middle not that I think Papley is worth anymore than a pick 19. Anyway I think he Hill will get to the Saints for a 1st round pick and future 2nd rounder, Fremantle will cave in.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think that is a best case scenario. Holding him is a great win.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Maybe but the fact "he'll be on great money at the Saints" points to him being a better player than a round 1 plus round 3 pick.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Agreed. Freo have him as a required and contracted player. If he goes then they need it to be a good deal for them because he'll leave a big hole. If it's a bad deal walk away. I am fine with Freo holding its ground. The worst case scenario is they have him next year. So what!
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Brad Hill, isn’t an inside bull or a star forward so I personally think he is at best, a round 1 pick between 14 to 19 and a third rounder he will be on great money at the Saints, why should they the Saints pay overs for him, I wouldn’t pay it maybe the Demons might do a deal but I don’t think Hill would get the same money offer at Melbourne as he would get at St Kilda.
Johnno
Guest
Agree.......not sure what picks 12 & 18 equate to, is that better than a single pick 6?Bell has been very consistent....we want a good trade. We are also not privy to what goes on behind closed doors, maybe Bell said with what you have got at this stage, you would need to give us picks 6 this year & first rounder next year. I think the various club reps are more genial & open to each other than we give them credit for.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Freo not caving to saints demands for their contracted player the saints are willing to make a AFL top earner has them painted as the difficult party FFS, if you're willing to offer a contracted player that kind of money to get them it does indicate you rate them in the 2 top round draft picks category.
Coshi
Roar Rookie
Who knows what the Saints are planning at the moment but I wonder what would be a fair asking price if they were to try and get Sam Gray, Dougal Howard and Paddy Ryder all from Port at once