GWS Giants GM of football Jason McCartney says there is still a bit to be worked out with Richmond in regards to Jacob Hopper.
The Tigers officially landed Tim Taranto from the Giants for picks 12 and 19 on Monday and now have their sights set on his midfield companion Hopper.
The difference in the deals is that Hopper, 25, is contracted for 2023 so the Tigers will have to come to the party in terms of a trade.
McCartney admits the two clubs have not yet come to an agreement given that Richmond so recently gave up two high picks for Taranto.
“Richmond have been really proactive and positive about what they’ve got and what they’ve put forward, so that’s a good starting point,” McCartney said on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Exchange.
“We just feel there is a little bit of work to go and we’ve got a fair bit of time to see what we can be added to the current deal.”
That deal as it stands is this year’s pick 31 and a future first-round selection which McCartney says is a “little bit short”.
“That’s all they’ve got left obviously,” McCartney added.
“Everyone would understand that once that future first goes out, unless something else is coming in, the futures can’t be touched.
“So that’s what remains. That would feel to be a little bit short for a player of that quality and Richmond understand that.
“It’s really assessing, once again, a number of other deals that are going on and what potential opportunities can be involved there to strengthen that.
“We do need to give consideration to players as well.”
Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo has been linked with the Giants, given their apparent shortage in that position, and McCartney admits he is a player of interest.
“It’s been talked about a little bit about Ivan,” he said.
“There’s something there, we’ll do some follow up there, there’s no doubt about that.
“We need to do some follow up on a number of options so just so we’re ready to go. If you’re going to facilitate a deal on a contracted payer, you don’t want to be scrambling in the last couple of days.”
Is McCartney confident a deal will be done? Or could Hopper still remain a Giant?
“He’s a wonderful player, there’s no doubt about that,” he said further.
“He does have a year to run. We’re mindful that he has requested that opportunity to go and play at the Richmond footy club.
“We’ll work through to facilitate what the best deal is for our football club if there’s a deal to be done.
“Richmond have been really good in their conversations around this.”
McCartney also touched on the completed Taranto deal, Bobby Hill’s move to Collingwood, Melbourne small forward Toby Bedford’s interest in the Giants and Tanner Bruhn’s prospective shift to Geelong.
Taranto deal
“We’ve been working through this for a bit of time with Richmond, (picks) 12 and 19, we’re really happy with.
“Let’s be honest, the 19, we’ve seen the value of that over the last couple of years being the first pick in the second round especially with the draft break going from the first round into the following rounds.
“We’re really happy with those two picks and doing it early gives us an opportunity to keep looking at everything else that’s going on and gives the ability to even strengthen your draft decision.”
Hill to Collingwood
“Bobby gets his wish to get back to Victoria.
“He had the (testicular cancer) scare during the year and he’s in a really good space now so that’s been facilitated and he gets his opportunity play in Melbourne at Collingwood.”
Bedford’s Melbourne desire
“We think we’ve got a pick sitting there right now that we think should facilitate that deal.”
It is understood that pick 43 is the one that could be on the agenda.
Bruhn’s Geelong link
“We’re talking about a first-round pick.
“It would be great to secure another first-round pick in next year to spread the load.”