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Having secured pick three as compensation for losing free agent Ben McKay to Essendon, North Melbourne have ruled out any prospect they would be prepared to hand over both picks two and three to West Coast to land the prized No.1 pick in this year’s national draft.
While the Kangaroos – who now hold picks 2, 3, 15 and 21 as well as a first round selection and two end of first round picks in the 2024 national draft – are still open to trying to secure the No.1 pick in this year’s draft they will not be giving away both picks 2 and 3 in an attempt to satisfy the Eagles according to an industry source familiar with the discussions who was not authorised to speak publicly.
It means the Kangaroos will, at least, take two of the top three picks into this year’s national draft.
Harley Reid is the likely pick one but what price will West Coast want to give up the chance to pick himCredit: Eddie Jim
Harley Reid is the player most club recruiters rate as the No.1 selection, but there are a range of players including Daniel Curtin, Zane Duursma, Colby McKercher, Nick Watson and Ryley Sanders who still appeal to all clubs as quality players in the top 10 selections.
The Kangaroos selected Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw with picks three and four in last year’s national draft after making a bid on the Lions’ father-son Will Ashcroft at pick No.2. Sheezel won the Kangaroos’ best and fairest award and AFL Rising Star award in his first season.
McKay accepted a six-year deal to join Essendon where he will play under his first AFL coach Brad Scott. McKay played in just eight wins in the 71 matches he played in eight seasons at North Melbourne since being pick No.21 in the 2015 national draft.
Meanwhile, Melbourne are closing in on securing a second top draft pick to potentially make a plunge for one of the most sought after players at the top of the draft.
Melbourne’s James Harmes has been traded to the Western Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne have tempted Gold Coast with pick 14 and second round draft picks in exchange for pick 11. Two industry sources said Melbourne were eager to get pick 11 to bracket with their existing first pick now at six (tied to Fremantle’s finish) to make a play for one of top few draft picks.
Other clubs including Adelaide were still hopeful they could winkle pick 11 from the Suns while North, who have picks 15 and 21 are also interested.
Brodie Grundy’s wish to become a Swan has hit a snag, with his current club Melbourne rejecting Sydney’s first offer for the star ruckman.
Two industry sources told this masthead the Demons believed the offer of picks 46 and 54 was far too modest for someone of Grundy’s stature, and shut it down emphatically.
The Grundy deal promises to be one of the most interesting across the 10 days of this year’s trade period, as the dual All-Australian seeks to join his third club in as many seasons.
Collingwood traded the 29-year-old to the Demons last year in exchange for pick 27, as well as agreeing to pay a portion of his contract annually for the remaining five years.
Grundy played just once for Melbourne after round 17, with his much-touted ruck partnership with Max Gawn failing to flourish.
The Swans’ selections this year are 12, 25, 33, 46 and 54.
Sydney football boss Charlie Gardiner declined to comment on Monday when asked whether the Swans wanted the Demons to foot part of Grundy’s wage, on top of what the Magpies are already paying.
Any delay in the Grundy deal getting done could have a flow-on effect on Crow Shane McAdam making his way to Melbourne.
Tyler Brockman is looking to join West CoastCredit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
With the Demons not interested in giving up either of South Australian pair Harry Petty or Tom Sparrow, a pick looms as the deal-clincher – but the clubs remain apart on McAdam’s worth.
There is a chance now that whatever Sydney give up for Grundy could play a part in McAdam’s move.
Meanwhile, Melbourne traded premiership midfielder James Harmes to the Western Bulldogs for a future third round selection after expressing interest in securing him last week.
The 28-year-old is expected to play the defensive midfield role the Bulldogs have been lacking since Josh Dunkley went to the Brisbane Lions. He has played 152 games for Melbourne but played just nine matches in 2023.
The possibility of Tyler Brockman making it to West Coast via the pre-season draft has heightened, with the Eagles baulking at the Hawks’ initial asking price.
Hawthorn’s out-of-contract forward requested a trade back to Western Australia in August, and he later nominated West Coast as his preferred club.
Brockman planned to attend the Hawks’ club champion count at the weekend, but a family tragedy meant he was unable to go. He has played 26 games since being the No.46 pick in the 2020 draft.
A source familiar with trade negotiations told this masthead Hawthorn want the Eagles’ pick 22 in return for the goalsneak.
West Coast list boss Rohan O’Brien said on Monday that the pre-season draft, where they hold the No.1 pick, was an option if discussions broke down.
“With Tyler, he’s a player we’ve liked since his draft year. We explored ways to get up the order to pick him in his draft year,” O’Brien said.
“It’s an unusual circumstance that’s seen him want to come home, but obviously once he made that decision, we were keen to get involved.
“We’ll try and work with the Hawks to try and get it done in the trade period, and hopefully that’s the way it works out – but if not, the pre-season [draft] is there for Tyler, or anyone else.”
Hawthorn are also keen on a second-round pick from Richmond for key forward Jacob Koschitzke, who has a two-year offer from the Tigers in front of him.
Richmond hope Koschitzke can be part of the solution in attack after Jack Riewoldt’s retirement. The Hawks offered Koschitzke a one-year deal, with a trigger for a second season, to try to convince him to stay.
Hawthorn won the four-club race for Gold Coast forward-ruck Mabior Chol, offering the Sun and ex-Tiger a four-year deal with a trigger for a fifth season.
Gold Coast have asked for a second-round selection for Chol, presenting a potential scenario where the pick Richmond hand to Hawthorn could be on-traded to the Suns.
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