Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Port Adelaide are seeking draft picks, rather than emerging players such as Bulldog midfielders Joel Freijah or Ryley Sanders, as they look to maximise their return for losing Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs.
However, the clubs will need to strengthen a muted salary dump involving contracted Port player Todd Marshall joining the Bulldogs in exchange for two first-round picks to convince the AFL it is a fair deal after the league warned all clubs that deals struck separate to free-agency compensation will be heavily scrutinised.
Both clubs are aware of that and have been liaising with the league to keep them informed of potential scenarios so they don’t fall foul of the rules.
Port’s inclination towards picks is driven by their need to match a very early pick – potentially at No.1 – for next-generation academy prospect Dougie Cochrane in this year’s draft, and fellow priority access selections Louis Salopek and Zemes Pilot next year.
Ideally, they want to land Cochrane and also have selections in the teens this season to launch into a new era under Josh Carr – similar to how picking Connor Rozee, Butters and Xavier Duursma in 2018 turbocharged the back half of Ken Hinkley’s time as coach.
That is why the prospect of accepting the free-agency compensation for Butters and doing other deals to gain picks is being negotiated already, with the AFL aware scenarios are being explored that would reach their threshold of fair value.
The Power have a number of players contracted beyond this season – such as Marshall, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Willem Drew and Miles Bergman – who may be considered as part of a possible deal with the Bulldogs.
The AFL is expected to judge any deal (beyond the compensation) on its merits, rather than ruling a plan out because the football world believes it to be connected to any Power decision to accept compensation rather than matching the deal.
The salary dump in which Geelong received Jack Bowes and pick No.7 from Gold Coast in 2022, and the trade deal involving the Eagles, the Lions and Fremantle that included Brandon Starcevich landing at West Coast after the Lions acquired Oscar Allen as a free agent, are being viewed as precedents for fair deals the AFL ticked off in the past.
However, other clubs are watching closely, in an environment of scepticism and hyper-competitiveness heightened by Tasmania’s entry into the competition and the subsequent compromising of the 2027 and 2028 drafts.
Gold Coast are in a similar position in determining whether they will accept compensation for the loss of Ben King, who is expected to join Hawthorn, or match their offer to force a trade. The Suns could accept pick No.7 as compensation, or attempt to force a trade, which may allow them to access a player as well as a pick. The Hawks could end up with a pick between Nos.15 and 18.
The other option is to accept compensation and then attempt to acquire a player from the Hawks, such as Bailey Macdonald, in a separate deal, having already enquired about talented youngster Aiden Schubert.
Crow wants to be a Roo
Contracted Adelaide key defender Nick Murray plans to request a trade in his exit meeting on Tuesday, a source familiar with his thinking told this masthead on the condition of anonymity.
The Age revealed last month that Alastair Clarkson was leading North Melbourne’s pitch to Murray, and personally met with him. The Crow remains a top recruiting priority, despite the Kangaroos sacking the four-time premiership coach.
The roadblock for Murray, who has played only 32 senior games across the past three seasons while falling behind other defensive teammates, is that he is contracted until the end of 2028.
Making that situation more problematic is that another of Adelaide’s tall defenders, Jordon Butts, is set to leave for the Western Bulldogs as an unrestricted free agent.
The Crows already re-signed James Borlase, and also have Josh Worrell, Mark Keane and Max Michalanney, but losing Butts and Murray would leave them light on key defensive options if they suffered injuries.
North Melbourne’s 2027 first-round selection could be involved in any potential deal, given it would be lower than usual with Tasmania dominating the top of the draft next year, but that would depend on Adelaide being willing to trade Murray.
The onus on the Swans
Whether Carlton find a new sidekick for Harry McKay could depend on Sydney’s ability to find more cash for Joel Amartey.
The Blues have made Amartey their No.1 recruiting target, particularly with Buku Khamis deciding to stay at the Western Bulldogs, and have offered him a five-year deal worth significantly more than what the Swans have so far presented him.
Sydney made a major splash last off-season by trading for Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow, who has kicked 74 goals in his first season in the Harbour City.
Logan McDonald has also booted 48 goals, while Amartey has 28 from only 15 games.
Amartey’s preference is to stay at the Swans, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation, but Sydney will need to improve their financial terms for that to eventuate.
Houston has no problem staying put
Collingwood defender Dan Houston has no plans to find a third AFL club despite him being consistently linked with the Saints, who are on the lookout for running defenders.
A source familiar with Houston’s situation, granted anonymity to speak freely, told this masthead that the two-time All-Australian was not going to leave the Magpies, where he is contracted for four more seasons.
Collingwood traded a future first-round pick, the No.36 selection in 2024, John Noble and Joe Richards for Houston two years ago as part of a three-club deal.
The Saints have not lodged any official interest in Houston, the same source said.
Houston averaged 21 disposals and almost two intercept marks this year, with his elite kicking skills a weapon for Craig McRae’s Pies.
It is the same story with Richmond’s triple premiership defender Nick Vlastuin, who will be at the Tigers next season. Sydney have not expressed any interest in trading for him, and Vlastuin is not looking elsewhere.
However, Jayden Short, who played in two of Richmond’s flags under Damien Hardwick, remains a name to follow.
Short is contracted until the end of the 2027 season, but his management has gauged opposition interest in his client throughout the season, according to two club sources, and is also on Tasmania’s radar as a potential mature-age recruit.
Bombers move on a former No.5 pick
Essendon has not offered a contract to Elijah Tsatas, who was delisted on Tuesday alongside four teammates after four seasons on the Bombers’ list.
Tsatas was pick No.5 in the 2022 national draft but managed just 22 matches in four seasons.
He played his final AFL match against Melbourne in round 14, having been given the chance to prove himself in three consecutive matches after interim coach Dean Solomon replaced Brad Scott as coach.
Tsatas played well in the VFL, helping the team reach the preliminary final, but was delisted alongside free agency recruit Jade Gresham and injury-afflicted Matt Guelfi. Mid-season draft selections Saad El-Hawli and Liam McMahon were also delisted.
Tsatas is yet to gauge interest from other clubs but as a delisted free agent his path to another AFL club would be easier than if he was traded.
Archie Perkins remains without a contract for next season while contracted former skipper Zach Merrett is likely to request a trade to Hawthorn after his failed attempt to join them last season. North Melbourne are monitoring Jordan Ridley, but he may remain a Bomber, where he is contracted.
Young Lions star stays put in Brisbane
Star Lions forward Logan Morris is off the market after signing a two-year extension to remain in Brisbane until the end of 2029.
Although he was unlikely to join the Tasmania Devils when they enter the AFL in 2028, he was certain to receive huge offers from Victorian clubs desperate for a key forward.
However, Morris, who was drafted from the Western Jets with pick No.31 in the 2023 national draft, has decided to continue his career at the Gabba having kicked 144 goals from 69 matches so far.
He has already kicked 67 goals this season, including a haul of eight in the final round of the home and away season against Collingwood.
Morris’ decision puts the Lions in a strong position as they enter this Saturday’s preliminary final against Hawthorn on a mission to win their third flag in a row.
Zac Bailey resisted a huge offer from Adelaide to remain with the club. He signed a nine-year deal last week, while veteran Dayne Zorko also signed on for another season.
The Lions are likely to lose 2025 premiership player Sam Marshall, who has interest from Melbourne, Essendon, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, as he seeks senior opportunities.
Melbourne and the Bombers are also interested in promising forward Will McLachlan, while star midfielder Lachie Neale is expected to join Collingwood once the season is over.
