Player manager Scott Lucas has provided some insight into a few of his clients on trade deadline day.
Esava Ratugolea is hoping to get from Geelong to Port Adelaide and Lloyd Meek from Fremantle to Hawthorn, while Liam Stocker and Jack Bytel are eager for AFL contracts in 2023.
He also manages Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who is weighing up a return to the competition.
Read all of Lucas’ updates on AFL Trade Radio below:
Esava Ratugolea
“Esava is in contract. It was something we were keen to explore and push on with. We think the offer from Port to Geelong is fair, all things considered, but we continue to work on that.”
“We respect that Geelong has an in-contract player that they like.
“Esava started to play down in the backline late in the year for Geelong. That’s something that he would like to explore more at Port Adelaide.”
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
“Certainly other clubs have called and inquired about him.”
“Freo was of interest to him because of the potential of him moving there because he has some family in Perth.
“He’s since sat down with (Essendon coach) Brad Scott had a good discussion.
“I think where it sits now is he just needs to make a decision around his real desire to play next year and what that looks like from a Freo point of view and how that could eventuate and also with Essendon and how that looks also.
“It’s not something that will be dealt with today. Freo would look at it from an SSP point of view and Essendon would see the opportunity to retain him.
“We’ve had discussions with the AFL … the opportunity would sit there that he could be retained on Essendon’s list with the way list lodgements work, that’s yet to be confirmed I might add.”
Lloyd Meek
“What’s being offered and Freo’s desire to keep him (is holding up the trade to Hawthorn).”
“We just think with Sean Darcy being the number one ruck and bringing in Luke Jackson, Lloyd’s really developed his game this year, and we think he’s in a good spot to press to be a number one ruckman at another club.
“We just don’t think the opportunity will be there at Fremantle to reach his potential.”
Liam Stocker
“I think there’s a real chance (he’s on a list next year). He’s had a couple of fruitful conversations with clubs at this stage.”
“Seeing what clubs get or don’t get through the trade period, clubs are really focused on bringing in players to address needs and then once they move through that and perhaps they miss on a player they were keen on as an inside mid, they’ll look at players they can sign in delisted free agency.”
Jack Bytel
“He’s out of contract at the moment. He’s got some interest. I don’t think that’ll be realised during trade period and St Kilda will have a decision on the back of that.”
“We’ve had open and honest discussions and there’s real interest in keeping him. There’s some list spot challenges.
“You might rank a player higher than some others on your list, but that player is in contract and they may have to move on some players they may rate to free up list spots.
“We’re hopeful a contract will exist at St Kilda.”