West Coast is prepared to let Junior Rioli walk to the pre-season as it hits a roadblock on talks with Port Adelaide, according to AFL Media’s Damian Barrett.
The Power and list manager Jason Cripps face a busy few days ahead of the trade period deadline on Wednesday night, with three key deals still to be completed.
West Coast’s Junior Rioli and North Melbourne’s Jason Horne-Francis have both requested trades to Alberton, while Cat Esava Ratugolea is also reportedly intent on joining the Power.
The Eagles have dug their heels in for Rioli and – as it stands – won’t take part in a mooted three-way trade that included the Roos to satisfy all parties.
“They (Port Adelaide) have got problems with West Coast over the Rioli trade, and my understanding is West Coast, just to make a point, will be prepared – and we hear this a bit, but I believe this one to be the case – to let that one play out and unless they get what they want out of it, they will let him walk to the (pre-season draft),” Barrett told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.
“So again, it’s up to Port to do that deal.
“We know they are now obviously in and have been for some time on Jason Horne-Franics… there is nothing opening up (with North Melbourne).
“The potential of West Coast getting involved with those other two clubs… that is not happening, I’m not saying it cannot be reignited but there is no traction on any of that.”
Rioli is widely seen as worth a second round pick, while the valuation for Horne-Francis is harder given the 2021 No.1 draft pick's debut season was plagued by multiple issues.
Port currently hold picks 8, 33, 43, 57 and 60 in the 2022 National Draft as well as all their picks next year.
On top of the trades for Rioli and Horne-Francis, a potential move for Ratugolea is shaping as the most complicated.
The 59-game Cat is highly rated by the club despite currently finding himself as a depth player, but it was reported on Thursday Geelong has placed a significant value on his trade.
“The other problem – and it’s a good problem from a Port perspective if they land all these players – they’re now very keen to get Esava Ratugloea away from the Cats but we know they play as hardball as anyone in the competition at the moment,” Barrett added.
Clubs have until 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday night to agree to trades.