The deal for Carlton to secure Essendon running defender Adam Saad continues to be the subject of much fascination.
After The Age reported that Essendon’s first offer included asking for one of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay or Sam Walsh for Saad, what the Blues will be forced to give up was debated on SEN Breakfast on Wednesday morning.
Asked by Garry Lyon what it will take for Carlton to get the Adam Saad deal done, Watson said it was obvious that as it stands, the Blues should give up their pick seven.
“Carlton just give up their pick seven and it’s done,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“That’s as easy as it can possibly be. (He’s worth) a first-round pick and it doesn’t really matter whether he’s worth pick seven or not, he’s a first-round pick and at the moment Carlton only have that pick seven.
“If they split it and go to Geelong and they offer two later first round picks, then it becomes a different conversation but right now Carlton have that pick seven.
“If Carlton offered Essendon that pick seven today, I’m pretty sure they would take that.
“Everyone starts out (requesting specific trades) and then you’ve actually got to sit down and do the deal. Carlton will be trying to do the best possible deal which they’re entitled to do and so will Essendon.
“Carlton rate this player so highly that they’re prepared to give him a five-year massive contract so you can’t then turn around and say, ‘No but here’s a second round pick for a bloke that we rate so highly’.
“You have to come to some sort of compromise if you want to get these deals done early and quickly.”
The 26-year-old knocked back Essendon’s contract extension last week, nominating Carlton as his club of choice.