SEN’s Sam Edmund is reporting that GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper will be traded to Richmond this trade period.
It was understood that Richmond’s initial offer for Hopper came up a “little bit short” but a revised package has included Ivan Soldo.
Additionally, GWS football director Jimmy Bartel said 2019 premiership ruckman Soldo would “not necessarily” be involved in any deal.
But Edmund reported on SEN Mornings that the Hopper deal is expected to get done with Soldo heading to the Giants along with pick 31 and a future first-round selection.
“Jacob Hopper to Richmond will get done, it just happens,” Edmund said.
“He has a year to run on a contract.
“The Tigers will give up their future first-round selection, pick 31 this year and it looks like Ivan Soldo. I think that’s the package at the moment.
“Soldo wasn’t playing at Richmond late in the season, but he can play at GWS regularly. They met yesterday, the Soldo camp.”
Edmund outlined what the combined deals of Hopper and his former Giants teammate Tim Taranto, who joined the Tigers on Monday, look like.
“Then you look at it combined,” Edmund added.
“I know they separated the two deals, Taranto and Hopper, but if you were to package them together in the fullness of time it would be for 12, 19, 31, a future first and Soldo.
“I think that’s fair.
“The Tigers have won fans over with how they’ve gone about it.”
Edmund also cooled talk surrounding Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes now that Hopper is expected to depart.
“A lot of smoke around Lachie Whitfield. My personal belief and understanding from speaking to people around it is it won’t be happening,” he said further.
“Nick Haynes won’t be happening. He’s happy in Sydney as well.
“I think Hopper gets done which perhaps means Lachie Whitfield, there’s no need for him to be traded anyway.”