Hours out from the first round of the National Draft, Sydney Swans list manager Kinnear Beatson says the club remains open to moving its two picks.
The Swans hold picks 14 and 17 this year, which Beatson expects to become 15 and 18 after an early bid for father-son Will Ashcroft.
Previous reports have stated the Swans are willing to trade back in order to secure picks in next year’s draft.
Beatson suggested the Swans initially had an interest in getting higher up the order but have since ruled that out, but have left the door open for dropping back in this year’s order and being tempted into a future pick.
“Regarding trading up and trying to get in earlier, I can’t see that happening now. The clubs that are holding the first eight picks, very few of them are willing to consider trading back,” Beatson told SEN’s The Run Home on Monday afternoon.
“There’s a bit still going on with Essendon I believe… but what the Bombers are looking for to go back is beyond what we’re prepared to trade, so that won’t happen.
“We’ve got selections 14 and 17 as it stands… they’re the ones that we may consider, depending on who’s there when it gets to our selection, but also what they’re prepared to offer.”
But Beatson added it’s far from a certainty that Sydney will give up those picks.
“We’ve made it really clear to the clubs, we’re not in a hurry to trade those selections out, we’re more than happy with the depth of talent that’s there,” he continued.
“But if we could go back a bit in the second round and secure something decent as a future selection then we will consider that, that’s what we’re working through right now, what the limits are in all that.”
“We’ve got to be really clear in our minds before we get there what our cut-off point is, otherwise you can make mistakes by getting emotionally involved in the process because there’s going to be a lot happening and I think it’s going to be a long night because I think a lot of clubs, when it comes to their pick, they’ll sit there for a while and see if they get an offer too good to refuse before they put in their selection.”
AFL clubs must hold onto their future first round selection if they are to trade other future picks, or must hold on to all other picks if trading out their future first selection. However, there are understood to be some exceptions.
AFL Media’s draft guru Cal Twomey has linked key defender Josh Weddle and rebounding backman Lachie Cowan to Sydney’s two picks in the first round.
SEN.com.au’s phantom draft has also linked ruckman Harry Barnett as a player who could be required by the Swans.
Sydney also has picks 42, 69 and 80 in the National Draft, with the following rounds to be held on Tuesday night.