Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet has officially requested a trade to Port Adelaide, reports SEN’s Tom Morris.
Sweet, 25, has played 11 career games for the Bulldogs but has found himself behind All-Australian Tim English in the club’s ruck pecking order.
The South Australian will now head home if a trade can get done where he’ll hope to become the Power’s number one ruckman.
After dominating the VFL in 2023 averaging 13.8 disposals, 0.5 goals, 5.3 tackles and 43.2 hitouts a game, Sweet will hope to make the jump to become a first-choice senior player.
Gerard Healy discussed the trade request and Sweet’s future with Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes and Western Bulldogs icon Brad Johnson on SEN Sportsday.
Healy: “So, is Sweet coming to replace the former number one ruckman?”
Cornes: “No, no, no, he's coming to be the number one.
“He’s right now, their number one ruckman.”
Healy: “Okay. What's his form like Johnno to justify that?”
Johnson: “I honestly believe Jordon's got the ability.”
Healy: “To be the number one ruck?”
Johnson: “Well, maybe not initially, but I think he has got that strength in his game to get a crack at it and then it's up to Jordon.
“What I've seen in the twos games that I've watched … he was very, very good at that level.
“So, can he take that and become a senior player?”
Cornes: “You don't need an A-grade ruckman.”
Johnson: “I agree with that.”
Cornes: “You need someone who can compete, who can give you a contest, who can run out games, who can provide a presence.
“Think Reilly O'Brien at Adelaide, he's done that for five years.
“I'm not sure whether (Sweet) is as good in the air, O'Brien is a very good contested mark, but apart from that he's not a great tap ruckman, he doesn’t offer you much else.
“But he competes, and Adelaide's midfield is strong as a result.
“I'm happy they're not paying $800,000 for a ruckman. It's going to cost you nothing really in terms of draft picks.”
Johnson: “He’s played 11 games in a couple of years.”
Healy: “Is Scott Lycett still part of the mix? Or do you think he’s gone?”
Cornes: “I think if this week's not his last game, next week might be.”
Johnson: “You've got an 11-gamer that's going to come in and be your number one ruck?
“Does he go past (Sam) Hayes straight away?”
Cornes: “Yep, he goes past Hayes, he goes past (Dante) Visentini straight away. But he (Sweet) is 25, so I like the age profile.
“He's a South Australian. He might be happier living where he's from.
“So, I actually don't mind it but I just haven't seen it (enough).”
Sweet is currently out of contract and last appeared at AFL-level in Round 18, 2022.
The 2023 AFL Trade Period begins on Monday, October 9 and runs until Wednesday, October 18.