Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The official start to trade week is upon us, with a large media pack gathering at Marvel Stadium.
Reporters from interstate are in town, while recruiting chiefs from the Swans and Bulldogs have just arrived.
Michael Regan, the Dogs’ player acquisition and strategy manager, will chat to the media first up.
He will be asked about Zak Butters, Tim English and Rory Lobb, among others.
Nathan Buckley has withdrawn from the race to become North Melbourne’s next senior coach, delivering a major twist in the Kangaroos’ search for Alastair Clarkson’s replacement.
Two industry sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed to this masthead that Buckley had informed those involved in the process that he will not pursue the vacant position, ruling himself out of a return to senior coaching at Arden Street.
Buckley was due to formally present to the coaching panel on Saturday, but told the club late last week that he would be removing himself from the process.
It means Clarkson’s successor is set to be a first-time coach, with Daniel Giansiracusa, Jaymie Graham, David Hale and North assistant Xavier Clarke all in the mix.
Does trade period confuse you? When someone starts talking about free agency and draft picks, do you eyes slightly glaze over…
Never fear, because our experts have got you covered and are here to answer all your questions.
Will Zach Merrett make it to Hawthorn at his second attempt? Will Gold Coast match Hawthorn’s free agency offer for Ben King and thereby force a trade? Where will Melbourne heart and soul player Jack Viney land? We examine every club and which players are on the market.
Follow our live blog every weekday during the trade period. Read more of our trade period guide here.
My colleagues Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan reported last night that St Kilda want Geelong’s first-round draft pick and a player in any trade for contracted ruckman Rowan Marshall.
Having failed to agree a deal for Marshall to move to Geelong 12 months ago when Tom De Koning arrived, St Kilda have put a hefty price on the contracted ruck, who is about to turn 31, with the Cats’ first pick at 14.
What do you think of that asking price for Marshall? Given he’s contracted, the Saints have the upper hand in this one.
Free agency opened on Friday and we had a flurry of moves that had been expected but were made official.
Lachie Neale moved from the Lions to the Magpies, Joel Amartey left Sydney to become a Blue, and Giants star Toby Greene is now a Cat.
But there were some moves that have not been made official yet, for example Pies great Scott Pendlebury.
Pendlebury, who is headed to Gold Coast on a four-year deal (two playing, two coaching), is likely to be traded for a fourth-round pick from the Suns . This would avoid Gold Coast diluting their compensation for Ben King, who is set to head to the Hawks as a free agent.
Hello and welcome to the first official morning of trade period, the AFL’s silly season.
I’m Hannah Kennelly and I’ll be guiding you through the first part of the day.
We’ll be covering every weekday of this period – it ends on Wednesday October 15 – live from 9am AEDT, with all the news, analysis and inside word on the wheeling, dealing and player moves.
Our experts will also have daily wraps on the Real Footy podcast each day – we will let you know a little later how to submit your questions for the team to answer. And we always have an eye on the comments, so have your say there too.
Let’s get into it!
