Sam Edmund has delivered the latest trade news on a number of players rumoured to be on the move in the coming seven weeks.
From the clubs in the running for Brodie Grundy and Esava Ratugolea, the out-of-contract Docker who wants to move for lifestyle reasons, a Bulldog’s big call and more, here’s the latest ahead of this year’s trade period.
Brodie Grundy (Melbourne)
“Firstly, rival clubs that I’ve spoken to today fully expect him to be leaving,” Edmund began on SEN's Whateley.
“A ruckman of this calibre, the school of thought is that he just be expected to accept this storyline continuing.
“It looms as a two-horse race. Sydney in one corner, Port Adelaide in the other corner. I don’t think Geelong, from my information, are at the table anymore. They got a good look at Toby Conway on the weekend…
“The Power came for Brodie Grundy 12 months ago and Port are very much in the ruck space right now, they were told a year ago that Brodie didn’t want to come back and live in Adelaide.
“It was just a flat no. My information is that is no longer the case. Brodie is open to at least living in the city of Adelaide… now they’re a chance, Port, because Brodie Grundy for lifestyle reasons can see himself living in Adelaide, that is a big tick.
“The Swans have lost Tom Hickey to retirement, they see Peter Ladhams as a forward who helps out in the ruck when he’s in the best 22 as opposed to a ruck who rests forward.
“Grundy, we saw it last year, he’s a deep thinker, he won’t be rushed, he’ll have the pros and the cons, he’ll probably have his own whiteboard, he’s in charge of his own destiny.
“So the conversation hasn’t got to this but you wouldn’t have thought Melbourne would drive a super hard bargain on the trade table given what they gave up last year to Collingwood… he’s got a decision, Brodie Grundy, does he want to live in Sydney or does he want to live in Adelaide?
“And I fully expect it to be one of those clubs.”
Mitch Georgiades (Port Adelaide)
ONLY A “MASSIVE DISASTER” WOULD SEE GEORGIADES LEAVE PORT ADELAIDE
Esava Ratugolea (Geelong)
“Exit meetings are taking place at Geelong today, where it’s expected that Esava will tell Geelong he wants to explore his trade options for the second consecutive year, no secret here.
“He was won over by Port Adelaide 12 months ago on a pitch from Ken Hinkley and co, Geelong held him, reinvented him as a defender but he was in and out of that Cats side this year, even when he wasn’t injured…
“Port Adelaide are there again, but Esava is one year shy of free agency and this is where the Power might struggle to beat a cashed-up Hawthorn to his signature.
“It is the Hawks who have indicated they’re prepared to offer the big, big contract here for Esava Ratugolea. There are some crazy figures doing the rounds and have been for some weeks.
“They’ve got the money, the Hawks, they’ve got the space, they’ve got the trade capital to make it happen as well.
“So Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, decision to make for Esava Ratugolea.”
Liam Henry (Fremantle)
“As of yesterday, he still hadn’t actually met with any rival clubs, but everyone says Hawthorn is the front-runner here.
“He didn’t want to re-sign with Fremantle, he’s pick nine in the 2019 draft, he actually played 17 games in his second year but then really frustrated with limited opportunities last year.
“He’s been good this year with more chances but he’s long wanted to base himself in Melbourne, I’m told, and not Perth.
“So this is another lifestyle equation. He told the Dockers that he wanted to get through the year and park talks until the end, we’ve got to the end now and this needs some sorting out.
“Not rival offers for him yet, but it sounds like he’ll definitely be leaving. Hawthorn, I’m told, are right there. Melbourne has been rumoured and murmured, but I can’t put any fact around that.
“I think it’s a very, very good chance Liam Henry will be playing for a club over in Melbourne next year.”
Tyler Brockman (Hawthorn)
“Tyler Brockman wants to go the other way.
“I’m not sure if they’re going to be involved in a deal but he wants to go from Hawthorn to Perth.
“A young family, twin daughters, he wants to get home for that support, I’m told Hawthorn have been magnificent, have done everything they can in this space, but Tyler Brockman, again for lifestyle reasons, wants to go the other way.”
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon)
“It’s exit meeting time at Essendon, he’s had a contract offer in front of him from the Bombers for some time, a long time.
“A respectable one I’m told, a multi-year contract that he has chosen not to sign. So that’s never a good sign. Port Adelaide again looms as the landing spot here given he’s a South Australian who had shown an interest in coming home.
“(It’s) for family reasons, I’m told, first and foremost. Out of contract, the Power are very keen. So I think that is highly likely to happen, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
“In regards to how that trade eventuates, I’m not sure if a player will be going back the other way.”
Ben McKay (North Melbourne)
“It’s a good time to be Ben McKay and assessing your options because they have come from everywhere. Essendon, Sydney and Hawthorn are all circling in a three-way battle.
“The Swans were left standing at the altar basically when Tom Barrass did a backflip on his desire to join the Swans… that’s put Sydney in a tough position, with the rug being pulled out from them, they need key back support.
“Paddy McCartin has obviously retired, Dane Rampe will be 34 next season, they’re in the ruck space, but they’re very much in the key back space as well.
“So this has seen them really enter the arena for Ben McKay, who has a lot of decisions to make at the moment in terms of the offer he will accept to leave North Melbourne.”
Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
“The Dogs have been nervous, but they’ve got a guarantee from Bailey Smith’s management, it happened on Friday, that Bailey Smith is going nowhere in this trade period.
“The Dogs have been nervous about this for 12 months and according to people I’ve spoken to, this has been the most satisfied they’ve been from the Bailey Smith camp that there will be nothing to see this year.
“He’s wedded to the Dogs for at least another 12 months.”