Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd believe Greater Western Sydney will play hardball with Essendon as the Bombers look to secure Dylan Shiel this trade period.
Despite being contracted with GWS for next season, the 25-year-old has requested a trade home to the Bombers.
But both Cornes and Lloyd have their doubts on whether the trade will be secured prior to tomorrow’s 8:30pm deadline.
“I just wonder, with the Giants, with what’s happening with (Tom) Scully and what they are getting for him, are they saying, ‘OK, we’re missing out here, but we have to really drive a hard one here, a hard bargain with Essendon,’” Lloyd said on NAB AFL Trade Radio.
With Scully reportedly set to land at Hawthorn for a low draft pick, the Giants need to avoid a disastrous trade period and ensure Shiel doesn’t slip from their grasp cheaply.
“They’ve been smashed the Giants,” Cornes said.
“Them and Fremantle, their reputations have been damaged most in this trade period.”
While reports suggest the midfielder is already out the door, the Giants could potentially hold him to his contract.
“Jason McCartney, their list manager, was furious … about the fact there was a double page spread on how Dylan Shiel had got to the Bombers on the weekend in the Herald Sun,” Cornes said.
“He’s saying, ‘Well he’s a contracted player, how can this be happening?’
“I reckon they’re digging in here the Giants, and I’d be doing exactly the same.”
GWS reportedly desire two first-round picks for Shiel, yet as it stands, the Bombers only hold picks 9, 34, 66 and 84 in this years draft.