Live: AFL Trade Period Day Eight

Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop and Devon Smith were some of the big names to move in week one of the AFL trade period. Who will go this week?

THE AFL trade period is set to heat up with Jake Stringer, Gary Ablett and Jack Watts set to dominate the second week of talks.

A flurry of activity is expected when negotiations resume on Monday ahead of Thursday’s 2pm (AEDT) deadline.

7.00pm

They want what

Lachie Weller wants to return home to the Gold Coast after turning down a four-year deal to remain in Perth with Fremantle.

Unfortunately the Suns have been left stunned at the asking price from the Dockers for the midfielder.

Per a report on the Herald Sun, Fremantle are demanding pick 2 from the Suns in what seems like a fair stretch.

Whether or not the Dockers stance will remain as stringent before Thursday’s deadline will remain to be seen however, the Suns will be hopeful they can accomplish the deal.

4.20pm

Brothers set to team up

Former North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow endured a challenging 2017 season after being dropped to the VFL for the first time since 2008.

Despite being under contract for the 2018 season, Swallow stated that he is exploring his options and would love to align with his younger brother David on the Gold Coast.

“We’ve got a Trade Period coming up which is always interesting. I’ve got a young family now and wouldn’t mind looking at a few different options, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of weeks,” Andrew Swallow said on LightFM.

After these comments were made on Sunday, the club today released a statement stating they wouldn’t stand in the way if Swallow requested a trade.

“First and foremost, Andrew is contracted next year but we have made contact with him and his management and fully respect his position and thinking,” GM Football Cameron Joyce said in a statement.

“Last year he had to battle for a spot in the senior side and if he feels there would be more opportunities for him at another club, whether it’s with the Gold Coast or elsewhere, we certainly wouldn’t stand in his way.

“However, we are also keen for him to stay as his playing abilities, leadership qualities and character are all assets for us.”

JUST IN: North Melbourne says they would be open to working with Andrew Swallow for a trade to the Suns, if he asked for it.#NABTradeRadio — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 16, 2017

North Melbourne is open to working with Andrew Swallow should he ask for a trade, GM Football Cameron Joyce says.



📝 https://t.co/qdYsYwq4UZ pic.twitter.com/vtrH87lCPH — North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) October 16, 2017

3pm

Stringer breaks silence on trade circus

Bulldogs star Jake Stringer says it’s “really unlikely” he will ever play for the club.

The Western Bulldogs and Essendon remain locked in a stalemate over their trade negotiations after Stringer last week nominated Essendon as his preferred future home.

Despite reports the Bulldogs told Stringer he was free to leave after the club’s failed premiership defence, the club has since backflipped and declared publicly that they would be prepared to hold onto Stringer until the end of his contract if the Bombers do not meet their trade demands.

Stringer said he is not thrilled about the idea of staying with the Bulldogs.

“Yeah, it’s not ideal,” he told Channel 9 while boarding a flight to the United States.

“I’m looking forward to getting away to America.

“I think it’s really unlikely that I end up back there but we’ll see how things play out over the next two or three days.”

12pm

Bulldogs sandwiched in Bombers’ Saad deal

Essendon has done enough to secure a trade with the Gold Coast Suns to bring speedster Adam Saad to their club.

Essendon has given the Suns their second round draft pick in the 2018 national draft. The Suns are already loaded with four second-round draft picks as well as the No. 2 overall pick at this year’s draft.

.@cleary_mitch: Adrian Dodoro and Scott Clayton are currently at AFL House. Expect the deal for Saad to come through soon #NABTradeRadio — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

The Bombers’ decision to trade their second-round pick in 2018 means they are unable to trade their first round pick in next year’s draft under AFL rules.

It leaves the Bulldogs without hope of getting a first-round draft pick in exchange for Jake Stringer after already reportedly knocking back the Bombers’ offer of their No. 11 selection at this year’s draft.

The Bombers have since used that draft pick in a trade with the GWS Giants to recruit star midfielder Devon Smith.

Smart from Bombers again. Future second-round pick for Saad means their current future first-round pick can't be traded. Off-limits. — Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) October 16, 2017

The Bombers have reportedly put their two second-round draft picks on the table in exchange for Stringer and will not be budging.

With the Saad trade done, there is nothing else for the Bulldogs to squeeze out of Essendon in exchange for letting Stringer leave under contract.

That No. 11 draft pick must be looking pretty enticing right about now.

12pm

Docker’s request opens up Giants star’s move west

Fremantle’s Lachie Weller has officially requested a trade to the Gold Coast Suns in a move which is set to open up the possibility of a three-way trade for Giants star Nathan Wilson.

The Age reports Weller’s request is the first step of a three-way trade which will see Weller return home to the Gold Coast, the Suns trade their second round draft pick (currently No. 21 overall) to GWS and the Giants let star Wilson walk to Fremantle.

The Giants have already turned down the Dockers’ offer of a second round pick and have reportedly demanded a pick between No. 15 and No. 20 in this year’s draft before they will let Wilson walk.

12pm

Bombers pumped up over Saad win

Essendon has confirmed Gold Coast rebounder Adam Saad has signed a three-year deal with the Bombers through to the end of the 2020 season.

The Bombers are doing nothing to hide their desire to add speed to their half-back line.

“Adam will be a great addition to our backline though his ability to break lines with his exciting run-and-carry,” Essendon recruitment chief Adrian Dodoro said.

“It is great to sign a player of his calibre. He was highly rated at the Suns, and we can’t wait to see him run out for our club for the 2018 season and beyond.

“Adam comes from a close family environment and will flourish being back in Melbourne.”

10.15am

Stringer’s shock walk away threat

JAKE Stringer’s manager has slyly suggested the Bulldogs premiership hero is prepared to walk away from football if the club doesn’t agree to let him walk this trade period.

Player agent Paul Connors reminded the Bulldogs in an interview with AFL Trade Radio on Monday that Stringer has a third option up his sleeve if the Bulldogs refuse to cut a deal with Essendon — the club Stringer has nominated as his preferred destination.

The 23-year-old remains contracted with the Western Bulldogs until the end of the 2018 season, however, the club has reportedly told him to explore his options over his fractured relationship with some teammates and coaching staff.

The man known as “The Package” is flying to the United States of America on Monday for his end-of-season getaway and Connors said on Monday he may stay there if the Bulldogs try to hold him to his contract.

He said the Bulldogs have already let slip the best deal they could have got in exchange for Stringer when they reportedly knocked back Essendon’s offer of their No. 11 draft pick in the 2017 national draft.

He said the Bulldogs have little to win by trying to keep Stringer, likening the star forward’s situation to the ongoing trade saga surrounding Adelaide speedster Charlie Cameron’s request to be traded to Brisbane.

“If they don’t trade Stringer, just like (Adelaide Crows list manager) Justin Reid has a little option there with Charlie Cameron, he’ll go very cheaply the following year,” Connors said.

“The dialogue there around if they keep Stringer and they don’t have a great year, that would be interesting as well.

“He’s going overseas though, today. If he doesn’t get traded by Thursday he might stay there if he’s having a great time.”

When asked if he would be prepared to return to the Bulldogs for pre-season training, Connors said it is an option for him to sit out the 2018 season.

“Either you stay overseas, you go back and work with (Jake’s father) John at Stringer’s dairy or he plays football,” Connors said.

‘Now I don’t think we don’t want him to play football, but given we didn’t initiate this and they can say that it was a mutual decision to explore options — I would like to maybe challenge that — because it wasn’t Jake’s decision to explore his options. He wanted to stay, but now that they’ve said they want him to go, it’s time for him to go.”

Essendon has already offloaded its first-round pick in this year’s draft to Greater Western Sydney in exchange for Devon Smith, and may need to swap picks with a third club to satisfy the Dogs.

The Herald Sun has reported Essendon won’t budge from its offer of two second round draft picks (No. 25 and No. 30) at this year’s draft in exchange for Stringer.

Stringer’s manager Paul Connors said on Monday the Bulldogs already let slip the best offer they were going to receive in exchange for Stringer when they knocked back Essendon’s offer of pick No. 11 in this year’s draft.

.@craighutchy on Stringer deal: Do you think two second rounds is fair?



Connors: I do. But they blinked, they could've had pick 11 — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

.@craighutchy: Is 25 & 30 for Stringer your final offer?



Dodoro: We can only deal with what we've got. They haven't shut the door on that — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

Bulldogs football boss Chris Grant on Saturday declared that Stringer was “every chance” of remaining on their list, despite his manager publicly suggesting otherwise.

Geelong has also shown interest in Stringer and could swoop in, having been given tidy compensation for the departure of free agent Steven Motlop to Port Adelaide.

The Cats had been expecting a late second-round draft pick but instead nabbed a pick at the end of the first round — currently pick No.19.

Geelong’s main priority however will likely be finalising a deal with Gold Coast to bring beloved son Ablett back to Kardinia Park.

The dual Brownlow Medallist has previously declared he will retire if he is unable to play out his career with the Cats.

It is unclear whether talks will proceed as planned following the sudden death of Ablett’s sister Natasha on Thursday night.

Port Adelaide is expected to continue its busy fortnight and secure a deal for Melbourne forward Watts.

The former No.1 draft pick appears resigned to having to move interstate after being placed on the trade table.

9.45am

Door shuts on Gibbs trade

Carlton has closed the door on any possibility of star midfielder Bryce Gibbs moving to Adelaide this trade period.

Despite reported interest again from the Crows, Carlton won’t consider any offers for Gibbs because he remains contracted until the end of the 2019 season.

The Crows have a war chest of draft picks at their disposal, but both clubs on Monday said there is no deal because Gibbs has not requested a trade this trade period.

“Bryce hasn’t come to us to be traded. He’s contracted for two years. That’s where it sits,” Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni told AFL Trade Radio.

“The first step would be whether Bryce wanted to go through that process again.

“At this point, he hasn’t come to our football club to say he wanted to move.”

8.30am

Tragedy doesn’t affect Ablett talks

Geelong won’t use the sudden death of Gary Ablett’s sister Natasha last week to hasten AFL trade negotiations with the Gold Coast.

The Cats are yet to strike a deal to bring home the dual Brownlow medallist, who previously declared he will retire if he is unable to play out his career at Kardinia Park.

Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said talks will proceed as planned ahead of Thursday’s 2pm AEDT trade deadline.

“I don’t think our conversation with the Gold Coast is going to change too much,” Wells told SEN radio on Monday.

“Certainly, we won’t be using the current circumstances to enhance the conversation.

“(Suns counterpart) Scott Clayton has been very understanding of Gary’s situations right through. Had good conversations right through. I expect that would continue over the next couple of days.

“Whether that means a deal will be done or not, or I think you’re asking is it more likely a deal will be done or not, I’m not sure.”

7.30am

KG blasts Cameron’s betrayal of Betts

Australian radio legend Ken “KG” Cunningham has torn strips off wantaway Crows star Charlie Cameron’s plan to move to Brisbane.

The 23-year-old is hoping to secure a trade to the Lions in the second week of the trade period despite having a year to run on his contract in Adelaide.

“I’m amazed that not more has been made of the Charlie Cameron situation. This is the one that I’m hot on,” Cunningham said over the weekend.

“Charlie Cameron came to us on the rookie list, an unknown player, (and) has now started to play the football the Adelaide Football Club knew that he had in him ...

“It was tough to come here, but the Betts family — and this is the part that really irks me — Eddie Betts and his family took the young fella, indigenous young player, under his wing, took him into his home, made him feel a part of the family, virtually treated him like a son. He was a part of the family.

“He still has one more year of his contract to go and he’s made the point I want to go back to Brisbane, I’m homesick. That is a bloody cop out.

“Every player knows — and don’t give me the crap that he’s a young boy — that if you go into the draft, you could finish up anywhere.

“The part that I’m upset about is the fact that Charlie Cameron has turned his back on Eddie Betts. Eddie Betts had no idea that he was going to go to Brisbane. No idea in the wide, wide world. And I think that’s a very poor move. Whoever is advising Charlie Cameron has got the wrong ticket.”

Adelaide began the trade period by insisting Cameron was a required player and would not be traded. His manager responded by insisting Cameron would leave for nothing at the end of the 2018 season and indicated his form could suffer by being forced to stay.

Brisbane has offered pick 19 in the draft, which Adelaide is now considering.

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said on Monday the Crows will not be entertaining offers from Brisbane that do not involve an established player joining the team for its charge at a premiership in 2018.

Reid on Cameron: He's got a good relationship with the coach. We'll work through the next week#NABTradeRadio — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

Reid on Cameron: Bris are pretty clear where we sit. Unless we get something thru door, it's very unlikely he'll be anywhere other than Adel — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

Reid on Cameron: Pick 12 doesn't have 70 games behind him next year, pick 12 isn't going to help me next year.#NABTradeRadio — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

Reid on Cameron: You consider all options but at the end of the day, he's a contracted player. Charlie will help us next year — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017

7.20am

Watts hot and cold over Power move

Demons star Jack Watts says he hasn’t nominated Port Adelaide as his preferred destination this trade period.

The out of favour former No. 1 draft pick has reportedly informed Melbourne he wants to be traded to the Power, but the 26-year-old said on Sunday night he has not made any official request.

Watts was interviewed by Channel 7 at Adelaide Airport after his weekend in South Australia for teammate Bernie Vince’s wedding.

“They seem to know what I don’t,” Watts said of the reports linking him with a move to Port Adelaide.

Watts’ manager Paul Connors was singing a different tune on Monday morning.

He told AFL Trade Radio he expects Watts to join Steven Motlop and Tom Rockliff at the Power by the end of the trade period.

We're live inside the Paul Connors Trade Breakfast.



Connors: I think there's a very good chance (Watts will go to Port)#NABTradeRadio pic.twitter.com/1hFOuZ93Nz — NAB AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2017